11/4/16
"The greatest opposition to our devotion to Christ is our service to Christ." - C.S. Lewis. At first glance, these words come off as a slap in the face, but there's an inherent warning within the truth between the lines. We are called to walk in the Spirit in everything we do, but unfortunately, we are very capable of walking in our own strength to do the very things of God. We know how to do ministry. We know how to do service projects, lead committees, teach bible studies, etc. We know how to "play church", say the words, and look the part to go through the motions. When we get busy about the Lord's business, one of the first things to potentially fade is our relationship with God. We are tempted to stop praying, reading the bible, and communing with His presence. Many have thrown themselves into a movement of ministry only to find themselves lost in despair, and drifted far away from their original calling and passion. One major void within ministry is participation in accountability with someone trustworthy to help us avoid pitfalls and burnout. It truly is a missing link that has not been taken well enough advantage of. Way too many folks in ministry have burned out, lost faith, turned away from the Lord, gone into depression, and faced darkness and suicide. It is a great sadness that can much more easily be avoided by having a true friend to meet with regularly to check your status on keeping the main thing the main thing. "Not by power, nor by might, but by My Spirit, says the Lord..." Zech. 4:6. "For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:38-39.
Healthy boundaries are always a good idea in relationships. We must remember we are not called to meet every need in this world. Jesus provided clear examples of specific, Spirit-led ministering to the people He loved. He healed one man in the bath spa among hundreds of others. He went across the lake to heal one possessed man, then left. It is imperative that we walk in the Spirit, to do the very things God has orchestrated for us to do personally. He knows what He's doing. We just need to listen better and be more aware of His gentle, quiet Spirit nudging us along to move and act. If He brings someone to your mind or you become aware of a situation, pray in the Spirit on all of these occasions to see what response is appropriate. It may range from praying for them, to calling them, to taking care of whatever their need. Sometimes the answer is "nothing". We are not called to enable folks or do anything that might encourage them to stay or follow an inappropriate course that is contrary to God's will for them. We must trust the Lord in all these difficult relationship interactions. On one hand, I have been deeply grieved when I became aware of missing an opportunity the Lord appointed for me, but on the other hand, I'd hate to rob someone else of their divinely appointed service by acting in vain, just going in my own strength. Lord, help us discern Your voice among such a noisy life and respond accordingly.
There's a buzz in the air after the recent presidential election. What will your response be? Can you bring the Lord into conversation about politics? I encourage you to look for opportunities to supplement political conversations with spiritual aspects of a true and genuine faith in a God that's in control of this existence. He is moving His kingdom forward. He raises up and removes rulers. We are headed toward the back of the Book.
Have you let Him hold you lately? Like a child crawling up on his dad's lap, have you exhaled, and burrowed your face into his neck in a long embrace? John leaned back on Jesus' chest and surely was able to hear the heartbeat of His Savior. He's the source of our peace, comfort, and strength. Rest in Him.
"I want to know Christ- yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." Phi. 3:10-11. The World's worldly, gravitational pull seems to be increasing all the more. There is no end to the things that try to bring us down. Whether its persecution or hardship or health or abuse or discouragement, they all have potential to whittle away at our resolve and lead us spiraling into negativity, burn out, self-pity, and hopelessness. To know Christ is to be in Christ, intimately connected in solid relationship, through thick and thin. It's a marriage. He warned us they would persecute us. He told us they would hate us. He said we would have tribulation. We share in His sufferings in the same way He suffered. We shouldn't think we should be treated any better than He, should we? Who do we think we are? In Him, we can overcome and be resurrected from the dead- that place of darkness and despair that lurks around every corner in the world today. Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, friends. Be tough.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phi. 4:4-7. Amen.
