Where Are You, God?
/I know
we all ask this sometimes,
but at least we know the Truth. We know God is within us, in the form of the Holy Spirit, reconciling us to Himself in Christ Jesus, who's work was finished at the cross.
Other people really don't know the answer.
Many don't even ask anymore, but the need is still there.
Importance of Your Call
We are called to focus on our calling to be more effective. We are all given all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but as the parts of a body, we are called to our function, and
we are most effective there.
Not all of us are called to ministry outside of the Church. Some of us are called to build up the Church within - feed the flock so we have real foundation to 'go out into the world' with. They are still meant to be "in the world, but not of it", we all are, but in a different way.
To those of us called to interact with "the world", however, inevitably,
when we stumble, the accuser will be right there to bring shame and guilt.
This even happens within the Church, hence we are called to "pray for our leaders". Our challenge is to
remember the Truth:
The accuser (1 Peter 5:8) is there to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10 ESV) - quite literally,
We are, however, the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:21-26 ESV), saved not because we do right (works), but because when we repent, right away, we are forgiven and made right in God's eyes,
The time is near, too many are lost and seeking (the harvest) - we (the labourers) have no time to be distracted by 'busy-ness', shame and guilt (Romans 9:35-38 ESV).
Repent
(be sorry and genuinely surrender to God for change), dust yourself off, and keep going.
Once a day, 100,000 times a day,
keep going, because every second we choose to wallow in sin and shame, we give in to the accuser, and someone in the world who doesn't know God's saving grace in Christ, someone who needs Him, is crying:
The Fray - You Found Me (music video)
, or worse.
Q: Where Are You, God? A: Always With You. Song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFg_8u87zT0
Not one of us is perfect, but at least we can
thank God that we know Christ
so we can still know we're loved despite our imperfections.
The world needs to know that they have that too.
Deeper Value of Sharing God in Relationship
Now, be mindful. I'm not saying to
. I am saying to
build real relationships where you are
- being human - and then let Christ in you come out naturally. If Christ is your life, you can't help but talk about Him, or even be a silent example of Him, sometimes. We're not all talkers, and we're not all good ambassadors all the time, but
we ARE. BEING in Christ is the testimony.
Opinion:
Evangelists thought to "run off an harass people" must have a role to play in the larger body of the Church, because the Word says some will narrowly escape the fire, but I don't believe that the vast majority of the world will be saved this way.
God does not want people to come to Him for fear, but for love.
Fact:
I always say, however, that "just as your big toe is not necessarily aware of (will likely never meet) the inside of your stomach, they both have an important purpose". There are
many
in the body of Christ that have a unique function, and just because we don't understand, doesn't mean they are not doing what God called them to.
None of us knows everything,
and everyone must
follow their call.
The Urgent Call to Be Your True Self
The time is near, so if we as Christians feel like "everything bad is being thrown our way", how much more the world? Know that this is why; it's coming (
). Fellowship with like-minded Christians, is more important than ever, right now. Find the right community, get fed the right food, so when you're "in the world" you won't be influenced by it, but God's love in You will flow over them.
In building your community,
please, as with any other relationship (including those in the world), BE WISE.
Test people to see if (1) their words are biblical, and the spirit behind their words as well (2) they can be trusted with what you need to share with them (not everyone's in the same place, even at Church) and (3) you genuinely connect.
Trust comes from true relationship - you don't need to force it.
[
Remember:
Whether reading this, or listening to a favourite preacher, try to
always read the Word in context
(the entire chapter) and always
check the Word yourself.
]
