Fears and such
I haven't posted anything really heavy for a while and this is something I'd really like to get other people's opinions on. I must confess (whether it's due to being ignored and excluded a lot os a kid, I don't know) but one of my greatest fears is spending the rest of my life watching the people around me do crazy cool things for God while I never ( Read more... )
Good questions. I've mulled over a number of them myself. Though I'm not sure I have any solid answers, this is what I've managed to understand thus far. First off, let's start with some scripture:
(Matthew 22:35-40)
"One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'"
(Galatians 5:6b) (See also 1 John 4:12)
"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
(1 Corinthians 12:14-31)
Paul talking about the body of Christ and the importance of all the parts. I know the Message is like borderline sacrilegious in this neck of the woods, but I'd recommend checking out its translation anyway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2012:14-31;&version=65;
(Hebrews 10:35-36)
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."
(Hebrews 11:39-40)
"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
Whew. Okay. So this, I think, is what I have inferred from the above.
1. Jesus indeed told us in Matthew 28:18-20 to go and make disciples of all the nations, but specifically, he told us to "teach them to obey everything I have commanded you." What are the most important commandments he taught us? Love God, love each other. He wants to refine us in those things so we can help refine others. It HAS to start there. Keep persevering in these things- you can never grow too much.
2. There are about a bajillion verses encouraging, commanding, describing how, and straining the importance of selflessly loving others. This is undoubtedly one of your greatest strengths. You are one of the most generous, thoughtful, compassionate, and loyal people I have ever met. I am consistently blown away by your heart for others, and have been so incredibly blessed to be in the position to receive so much of that love myself. He is so so pleased with you.
3. Billy Graham is perhaps the greatest evangelizer in modern history. God has obviously gifted him to do what he does, but his success has so much to do with the vast network of people supporting his ministry. There are literally thousands of people that help arrange speaking engagements, book his flights, print his books, mail his newsletters, get contact information for the people that choose to commit their lives to Christ at his conventions, etc. etc. etc. I think so much of the reason that God shows up when we hand out hot chocolate or cold turkey evangelize or whatever is because we are UNITED in our effort to spread the gospel. "Bob" may be the one who shares the message and sees the salvation happen, but he couldn't have done it without the vision, encouragement, support, and strength of God and his fellow believers, and on an even more basic and tangible level, he couldn't do it without help setting up the table, mixing the chocolate, writing out the verses, driving downtown, and so on and so forth.
To be continued... LJ says I ran out of room. Take that, Mike!
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Manning begins by describing a prominent Christian athlete who has just drawn a crowd. His attendant, Moe, somewhat of a ragamuffin weeds through the crowd to hand him some gatorade. He's not exactly the pinnacle of beauty or success, and the crowd sort of snubs him. K.
"Five thousand people gather at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Glitterati from the worlds of politics, sports, and dhow business are scattered throughout the room. As Hayes steps to the podium, the crowd is just finishing a sumptuous meal. The speaker's address abounds with references to the power of Christ and unabashed grattitude to God. Hearts are touched; men and women weep unashamedly, then give a standing ovation. But behind the glossy delivery, Carlton's vacant stare reveals that his words do not inhabit his soul. Stardom has eroded his presence with Jesus. Intimacy with God has faded into the distance. The whispering of the Spirit has been drowned out by deafening applause.[...] Back at the Red Roof Inn, Moe eats his frozen TV dinner alone. He was not invited to the banquet at the Ritz because, quite honestly, he just wouldn't fit in. Surely it wouldn't be fitting for a pot-bellied, glass-eyed, twerpy attendant to pull up a chair with the likes of Ronald Regan, Charlton Heston, or Arnold Schwarzenegger. Moe sits down at the table in his room and closes his eyes. The love of the crucified Christ surges within him. His eyes fill with tears. 'Thank you Jesus,' he whispers, as he peels the plastic top off his microwaved lasagna. He flips to Pslam 23 in his Bible."
4. God is an enigma. "He's like a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a vest." I don't know why He hasn't answered certain prayers. I don't even pretend to understand His timing in things, but what I do know is that He is faithful. He has something so extraordinary planned for you you can't even fathom it. I know it seems like there's not a lot of glory in being the person who sets up tables and vacuums the floor, but it's not in vain. And while I'm sure that He has something bigger just on the horizon, He sees you, and what you're doing right now where you are with what you have matters to Him in an infinite way. Keep being faithful in the "little things" and being a good steward with what He's given you. He promises to reap what you sow.
So... yeah. That's a lot of words. Hopefully the ones He said will give you more peace and more answers than the ones I said. But I wuv you vewry much, and I promise to keep praying if you promise to keep praying.
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