I have not written a post in a few weeks but I have a lot on my mind. My desire is always to encourage by sharing my experiences. While that is one aim, the main purpose of this post is to convict and bring action for God’s kingdom.
People are Lost
We all know statistics about the lack of God in our country, but getting on ground level and talking with people has left a massive imprint on me. Everyone has a story and many of these stories are sad, just so clearly missing the touch of Jesus.
I’ve talked to a man who thinks he is too filthy on the inside to let Jesus into his life. One woman was feeling down and when I gave her a verse for encouragement she broke down in tears. Another man took a Gospel of John and read some of it. When I checked back in with him he said he did not understand the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” and other verses from the start of John.
Why?
Because he was missing out on WHO the Word is. Each one of those people has a need for healing and life that only Jesus offers.
Journal Transparency
I think it is healthy for me to share a little window into my mind sometimes. It should provide insight into how you can pray for me, but also into how the Lord works. Believe it or not, the most difficult thing for me is not missing home and family. Yes, that is a heavy weight I walk around with but God is gracious and is bringing me comfort.
The most difficult thing is the battle within myself. Like Paul says through Romans 7, “For I do not what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” And also, ” …I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” The underlying lesson of Paul’s chapter in Romans is found after his question on verse 24. He exclaims “wretched man that I am!” and that poses the question “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” We know the answer- only Jesus Christ.
You may be thinking “Where is the transparency?”
or
“Where does this get good?”
The Real
This is where it gets real. I take this step out to serve the Lord in the way I see He sets before me. He teaches me things about Himself, about His people, and about me every day. Still, I stand in the shower praying to Him with the feeling that I have evil encamped around me. If I let my imagination run I feel like King David with the armies surrounding him on all sides. Of course, David lives to say, ” The Lord is my Rock and my Salvation,” just as I can say.
I draw the parallel to David, not because of anything about me, but simply that he was surrounded and without the ability to save himself. In my case, the “armies” that surround me are the everyday struggles of life. I sense the cutthroat nature of my own pride. I see the path of death which comes from self-service. The dullness of the army of complacency stands at my door.
Even though I should fall prey to the forces of evil, Christ Himself makes me stand. By allowing me to see the enemy, the kingdom of God becomes more real. The sense of darkness leads me to walk more in the Light.
It can only be God who works in such a way. The fear of all of these things is as real as the danger they all present. He makes the Truth obvious in the face of this. My Father constantly shows me the massive loss I could suffer if I forget to put my heart and soul and mind in His hands alone. He reminds me that hope is only found in Him and He makes me low and humbled. Now I say
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life.
Closing Challenge
We have Christians all over the country and we all love the comfort that this fellowship gives. This is good. Also, it is true that a lot of places have thriving outreach and many faithful families do much for the cause of the Kingdom.
This IS NOT a judgement or a presupposition.
I do NOT think I am special or better than anyone.
It is simply on my heart to share-the harvest is ripe. “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest”
People all over the place need to hear the message of the Messiah and be brought into the fold. All of us have abilities and gifts from God to serve others and reach them. Nobody is here to judge your work for the Lord, just get to work! Your work can be anything, whether that means washing cars, doing housework, sweeping streets, preaching, or any other way you can live the Gospel.
The Lord laid out a different way to live than the world. He said what He values is the opposite of the world. Jesus taught that the one who becomes least will be called greatest and the one who serves will reign. In the future kingdom of God, He will recompense according to all our deeds good and bad.
Nobody has ever regretted giving Jesus their life.