Hope

Great Things

Lately, I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the truly sad things in the world. Perhaps it’s a sign of maturity to have a greater perspective on how other people are suffering or perhaps it’s a season in life where it seems that more people I know are hurting in real and life-altering ways.  In either case, it’s easy to feel helpless – all the while knowing that I am beseeching the greatest Help on their behalf. The little things that I can do with my own abilities seem inconsequential in light of the deep hurt that they endure.

Yet, I’m reminded that I serve a God who does great things with small offerings. Whether it’s a boy’s lunch miraculously serving thousands, or a widow’s mite that was a testament to true sacrifice, God specializes in using acts of obedience to accomplish far more than they would on their own. Esther’s willingness to approach the king on her uncle’s godly advice brought an evil man to justice and saved a nation. It must have seemed futile to her – yet through it God accomplished much.

So it is with our own acts of obedience. We may not always see how God chooses to use them but we can trust that He is. Not only for the purpose of our growth and pursuit of Him, but for others’ as well. Offering what we have – whether it’s a prayer on someone’s behalf, a home cooked meal, a hospital visit, or an encouraging note – may not seem like much, but God may use it in mighty ways to draw someone to Him. Our concern isn’t the degree to which God will accomplish something through it, but the degree of our obedience. And if we do what He asks we can be assured that He will use it for His purpose.

Our small offerings of faith and obedience may never save a nation like Esther did. Then again, she probably didn’t think hers would either.

Continue Reading

Relationships

Regardless

At a recent conference, one speaker talked about what it means to live for Christ with your family.  In a day amd age where the word “family” is fraught with different interpretations and when families, however they are defined, seem to daily break down in front of us, it is difficult to see how they can be a reflection of Christ. However, as Christians all our lives are to reflect our Savior, and within our families the same principle applies.

One of the ways that we do this is by not imposing our limitations on our commitment to those that God has placed in our lives. No where is this more important that our marriage. Of course, God makes it clear in His Word that our first commitment is to Him, and as such, that will create “limitations” of sorts (For example – if our spouse asks us to do something that violates a clear command of Scripture, God says that we must demonstrate our loyalty to Him and His Word, rather than our loyalty to our loved one.) However, outside of that parameter, we need to have a “regardless” attitude. We respect regardless of agreement. We love regardless of loveliness. Our fidelity to each other should not be dependent upon the other person. Instead, we remain faithful, regardless.

This isn’t an easy attitude to have. Our sinful nature prompts us to put boundaries and walls in order to protect ourselves and to ensure that we get what we desire. God, however, makes it clear that the purpose of a Christian marriage is to reflect Him, and no one had a “regardless” attitude more than our Lord. After all He died for those who were in rebellion against Him (Ro. 5:8). And having the same attitude as Him will require dying to ourselves, but as we do so, our marriage will be a beautiful portrait – not only of human love, but of the love that Christ demonstrates to His Church.

Continue Reading
1 … 5 6 7 8 9 … 12