"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" - Hebrews 11:1
It's fairly easy to have faith as a child. It's not as simple to have a childlike faith? Often I feel God's presence so close to me, I know without a doubt that He is there. But what about all those times when God seems so far away, when it seems as if He's not even paying attention to me? God speaks to us in a whisper, in His still quiet voice. But often times I want Him to just scream and shout, and demand my attention. Anything to let me know He's there.
So why doesn't God do that? Why doesn't He do whatever He can to make His presence known? "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29).
Why doesn't He rescue us from all our trials and hardships? As our Father, shouldn't God want to keep us from suffering? "For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts, and tells us that we really are God's children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures--for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later." (Romans 8:16-18)
It has been said that if you want something, you have to work for it. "No pain, no gain". To become a good soccer player you must suffer through years of training and practice. To become a doctor or lawyer you must suffer through of schooling. To be a Christian you must suffer through the pain of humanity.
Life is not easy for Christians and non-Christians alike. God's love is not charity. He doesn't see as us poor souls who are suffering, and decides to take away all our pain. Five times in the book of Luke, Jesus tells his disciples that He must suffer and be rejected. As Christians, those called to be Christ-like, we must also "share in his suffering." And herein comes our faith.
It's easy to follow God and to profess our love for Him when things are going our way. Easy to say "I know God loves me, because He's providing all this for me." That assurance is not so easy to have when we are going through all sorts of struggles and difficulties.
"Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement." 2 Corinthians 1:7
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Saturday, January 22, 2005
God's fullness
[Live] full in the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:19
The word "full" could be defined as "not lacking anything." Or, as a synonym, "complete." So, this verse, by that definition, could be read, "live completely in God's completeness."
And what an amazing thought that is. God's completeness. God's full provision. God, who lacks in nothing. And we, too, can have a part in this. We can be fully encompassed in everything we need, never for want of anything. And all we have to do is choose to live this way. To live full in the fullness of God.
The word "full" could be defined as "not lacking anything." Or, as a synonym, "complete." So, this verse, by that definition, could be read, "live completely in God's completeness."
And what an amazing thought that is. God's completeness. God's full provision. God, who lacks in nothing. And we, too, can have a part in this. We can be fully encompassed in everything we need, never for want of anything. And all we have to do is choose to live this way. To live full in the fullness of God.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Persistence
When I have a good relationship with someone, I am usually more confortable with confronting that person. I do not know the president of my company, so if I were to go to him with a request and he denied it, I would probably count my losses and give up. But with my store leader, supervisors, etc. with whom I have a working relationship, built on trust and respect, if my request is pushed aside (and it is a valid request), I am much more comfortable going back with my request more forcefully (yet with respect and gentleness) in order to make sure that I am heard, and that my dedication is known.
My relationship with God needs to be as such that I feel comfortable going to him persisitently with my requests (those that are in God's will). When our prayers are not answered right away, often we give up and move on. God knows our hearts and desire before we even come to Him. But to get into the habit of being consistent in prayers helps us to develop a character of dedication. When we abandon our prayers when we don't immediately get the result we want, we become apathetic.
My relationship with God needs to be as such that I feel comfortable going to him persisitently with my requests (those that are in God's will). When our prayers are not answered right away, often we give up and move on. God knows our hearts and desire before we even come to Him. But to get into the habit of being consistent in prayers helps us to develop a character of dedication. When we abandon our prayers when we don't immediately get the result we want, we become apathetic.
We are not our own
"Lord, I know that a person's life doesn't really belong to him. no one can control his own life." - Jeremiah 10:23 NCV
Children are not capable of directing themselves. They constantly need guidance, and gain lessons on life. However, as they become adults, they feel they've learned all they need to know to direct their own lives.
Yet, we will never know everything. Life is a constant series of learning, whether it be from parents, teachers, froemds or other means. Our knowledge ultimately comes from God. Only He knows what was, what is, and what shall be.
If anyone wants to know "why do we need God?" I direct them to Romans 7:14-25. In the Message, verse 16 says: "So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary." And verse 18 states: "I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it."
We are not strong enough to always make the right decisions. Because of our free will, our minds are always at war with themselves, pulling us this way and that. The natural tendency of man is to do what pleases him, the things that bring the most comfort, even when we know those things aren't the best in the long run. Cake may sound like a much tastier snack than fruit, or a salad, so we eat it, paying no regard to the stomach ache or the extra pounds we know we'll soon have. Our minds want to live in the now, and ignore the task of planning for the future.
But God has only one will. With God, there is only one direction you can go when you're walking with Him. And though at the present it may seem that God is trying to direct you to a place that seems detrimental to your present happiness, ultimately, if you stick it out, things turn out for the best. Because that is what He promised.
If this response is fitting for non-Christians, it holds even more validity for Christians. There are many out there who slander the name of Jesus. And we wonder how God could allow such a thing to continue. But Paul has told us. The actions of these believers come from a desire to do good. But they have let that desire get the best of them and have run off without waiting to discover what God's plan is. As a result, evil is there to trip them up, and instead of bringing glory to God, they bring Him dishonour. There is nothing wrong with being gung-ho and wanting to go out and do God's will. I applaud those who are. But we must be patient and wait for God's command first: and always.
Children are not capable of directing themselves. They constantly need guidance, and gain lessons on life. However, as they become adults, they feel they've learned all they need to know to direct their own lives.
Yet, we will never know everything. Life is a constant series of learning, whether it be from parents, teachers, froemds or other means. Our knowledge ultimately comes from God. Only He knows what was, what is, and what shall be.
If anyone wants to know "why do we need God?" I direct them to Romans 7:14-25. In the Message, verse 16 says: "So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary." And verse 18 states: "I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it."
We are not strong enough to always make the right decisions. Because of our free will, our minds are always at war with themselves, pulling us this way and that. The natural tendency of man is to do what pleases him, the things that bring the most comfort, even when we know those things aren't the best in the long run. Cake may sound like a much tastier snack than fruit, or a salad, so we eat it, paying no regard to the stomach ache or the extra pounds we know we'll soon have. Our minds want to live in the now, and ignore the task of planning for the future.
But God has only one will. With God, there is only one direction you can go when you're walking with Him. And though at the present it may seem that God is trying to direct you to a place that seems detrimental to your present happiness, ultimately, if you stick it out, things turn out for the best. Because that is what He promised.
If this response is fitting for non-Christians, it holds even more validity for Christians. There are many out there who slander the name of Jesus. And we wonder how God could allow such a thing to continue. But Paul has told us. The actions of these believers come from a desire to do good. But they have let that desire get the best of them and have run off without waiting to discover what God's plan is. As a result, evil is there to trip them up, and instead of bringing glory to God, they bring Him dishonour. There is nothing wrong with being gung-ho and wanting to go out and do God's will. I applaud those who are. But we must be patient and wait for God's command first: and always.
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