Does the world weary you, and weigh you down? Well, it is rare to find a peaceful refuge in this place of frothing humanity, and sin, but that is exactly what Jesus offers us. Just as He stilled the waters He also settles the souls of those who believe in Him, giving them peace, and in so doing providing them rest. Are you tired and weary today, and in need of relief from the burdens of life? Then Come to Him!
Do we allow the everyday afflictions of the world to redirect our trust away from God? Do we find ourselves, like David sometimes did in Psalms, arguing within ourselves regarding what we know of God’s goodness, provision, and rescue, and the need for our own physical selves to step in and defeat the enemies and obstacles that challenge us? In such times, David described what was happening to his spirit with words such as “cast down”, or “in turmoil”, but today we use terms like depressed, anxious, and lonely, when we face the world alone.
How do we envision our final days? Do we see ourselves resting peacefully in our home being tended to by our families, or are we tormented by what lies ahead, and everything those final hours will bring us? Are we afraid we will die destitute, and with nowhere to call home? Whatever we anticipate, either spiritually or physically, Jesus will be at our side, and He asks us, just as He asked Peter, “Do you love me?”, and then tells us to follow Him in those days... to face death on our own cross just as He did upon His... lovingly, brave, and certain in God’s will.
Are we working so hard at getting through our daily life that we miss the beauty and happiness swirling around us? What about in our faith? Are we so busy minding our religion, and the other things in life, that the joy of faith escapes us, and the rejoicing seems to be for others, but not for us? My friends, don’t let Satan rob you of the inexplicable joy that is rightfully yours, and the glory we find at its heart. He will attempt to refocus your attention so completely on the mundane duties of church life, that you will miss the fruit of faith, and your relationship with God.
Do we ever find ourselves mocked and treated poorly because of our faith? Are we physically beaten, passed over for promotions at work, or simply made fun of? It seems that we can’t remain invisible to those who do not believe as we do, but why is this so? Well, to those who are not of faith we are a constant reminder to their soul of the fallen state it is in. I am not certain that their conscious mind even knows why they find us repulsive, aggravating, an object of scorn to be humiliated... or in some dire cases, a person to be eliminated; perhaps even killed.
When you pray is it a loud raucous prayer, or a quiet conversation? Do you ask the Lord for His help and provision in a bold and demanding prayer, or a humble and unassuming voice filled with meekness and fear? Is your place of prayer a city street, a distant mountaintop, a quiet chair in your home, or perhaps, as scripture says, a closet? However you pray, and wherever you currently do so, always remember to whom you are speaking... and that He is your God, your secret Father, and that He loves you personally with all His heart.
As we walk in the way of the Lord we become stronger in our faith. When we experience the hardships and suffering of life God is provided with opportunities to increase us, and in this way, as we are approaching life in a righteous manner, God not only helps us, but also rewards our belief. However, for those who walk contrary to the way of God there is no betterment, or reward... only self awareness, the pain of conviction, vain attempts to return to joy by their own doing, and destruction at the hand of their self determination.
Is God enough? Is He everything you need in every situation? Sometimes we think that there is more, and that we must obtain it ourselves. Perhaps it is some detail that we feel is too trite for God, or too insignificant to merit His attention; maybe we desire something that borders on the worldly and we are embarrassed to bring it to His attention. Then again it might just be forgiveness for some sin that we feel is beyond His mercy and grace, but in reality God is all in all for our souls... the perfect meal at the perfect table.
The Lord stands at our door and knocks, but is this a convenient time for us to receive guests? Yes, I said guests. Knocking at the door is something for visitors to do, but our family, and the love of our life, need not knock, they enter with nary a pause... they are always welcome. Do we love God, and Jesus, enough to allow them free and loving access to our heart, our homes, our tables, and our lives?
Do we give God honor, worship, and glory for all that is our life? The opportunities that come to us, the food on our table, the children we beget, and the loves we experience in all of their splendor? It is so easy to say “I did this!”, or to accept the glory when someone says of us “Here is a man who has done amazing things!” We do this every day, and if you listen to yourself as you speak you will be led to acknowledge that “I” is your favorite word... it is the most used word of all mankind.
Sometimes we get absorbed in the trials and tribulations of the world’s daily life, so much so that we not only miss the fullness of joy that comes with our faith, but we almost refuse to allow ourselves the slightest pleasure of it. Have you ever been so convinced of your misery, or perhaps in the fact that you are undeserving of happiness, that you won’t allow yourself to feel the inexplicable joy of faith? Well, you are meant to be joyous, meant to be filled with the glory of God, and to experience the Peace of Christ.
When we are living and asking within the will of God, then He will give us our desires because they are His also. So often we misinterpret scripture regarding what God has told us He will give to us, and think that He has promised us all things without reservation ; including our earthly desires that fly in the face of God’s character, but that is not so. First we must ask within His will, or in other words... delight ourselves in Him.
We should ask ourselves each day, and often during that, whether we are being wooed away from our faith by the world. It is good for us to begin and end each day praying, that is, to rise every morning, and take to our bed each night, reaffirming our faith. But, how is our belief being shown to the world around us as we go about our waking hours? Does the carnal world, and all those in it, see us strong in light of our faith, or as just another traveler in life like the unbelievers... like themselves.
What is it that frightens you most? Stop reading for a moment and in that short time write down three or four things that come to your mind... Ok, now look at your list. How many of those fears have to do with earthly things, and how many are eternal in nature? I would suppose that most, if not all, are things like losing your family, being killed, fear of the dark, or heights. If you are exceptional, then there might be one which deals with eternity, like damnation, or maybe displeasing the Lord. Our lives are like our fears, they are spent focused on the world, and if you don’t believe it then test yourself.
We pray for others, sometimes for their salvation, but also in their other needs. Has anyone ever asked that you pray for them, or have you volunteered to do so only to walk away and never offer the first word in prayer? Perhaps you simply forgot, maybe you were too busy, or just maybe you said yes to the request just to placate them, and never intended to pray. Did you realize that this is not Christlike, and can even be sinful?