I have a hard time understanding a believer that can take time to focus on negativity and problems when we do not deserve even the grace and mercy God has given us.  I look now and then at Facebook pages hoping that I’ll find some evidence that they “get it” but continue to see a multitude of posts about how bad this world is.

I wonder How do they think God will see His perfect plan accomplished if this world doesn’t fall apart?  Why should we expect anything different when Scripture clearly details end times events?  Rather than focus on negativity and fight against what will not be changed, shouldn’t believers be investing wholeheartedly and unfailingly in presenting to that fallen world a real solution to “wars and rumors of wars”?  There will never be an end to the inhumanity of mankind.  It is the sin nature that is at the root. That same sin nature causes us to keep our eyes pinned on all that is wrong rather than holding up for all to see the One who overcame sin for us.  Because that mindset does not honor and glorify the Lord, rather it discourages, and defeats all who are exposed to it.  We are not downtrodden and victims of this world, we are overcomers and victorious, looking ahead to Eternity in Glory because of our Lord who sacrificed His very life so that we can be dead to sin. My FB mission isn’t to connect socially as much as it is to encourage believers, and to entice those who do not know the Lord. If God is real in our lives, we have something to offer others… a clear testimony of God’s mercy, grace, peace, comfort, rest…..

If one who knows the Lord chooses to bring before their audience, be it FB or any other realm, current events and the horrors of our world, should there not be some indication that there is a way to live above those circumstances?  Shouldn’t we  be offering everyone with whom we converse an opportunity to see Christ alive in us and giving us a hope of an eternal rest that is foreign to this world?  We NEED to be salt and light, not flat, tasteless and dark.  Christ’s life in us should make us victorious and bright spots in the days of those who are struggling to make sense of their lives.  No one is exempt from the effects of sin.  No believer escapes the scars and trauma of life in this world.  

Our recent journey has opened my eyes to the fact that we are called to show all who are observing our lives that we live what we speak…that is, if you name the name of Christ, then make sure your life displays what that means….complete trust in our God, who has a plan and purpose for each of us to bring us to that place where we bring honor and glory to Him in all we say and so no matter what life hands us. And we only know that full trust when we hand over control and say “Yes, Lord, even in this will I trust you” and the full extent of that faith and trust is manifest in transparency, making ourselves vulnerable, humbling ourselves to accept what His plan brings to us, looking to Him for His comfort, grace, mercy, strength and peace.  And fully depending on Him to complete us, to fulfill all our heart’s desires.  If there is something missing in us, then we haven’t fully embraced what He provides.   To do less is to dishonor the One to whom we owe everything.  We deny His power and strength, and tell the fallen world God isn’t in control, He doesn’t provide, we doubt His purpose in our sufferings, we have to do something to fix things because He isn’t or can’t or won’t….And that’s why Heb 13:15 is such an important lesson in this life.  To offer up to God the sacrifice of praise with lips of thanksgiving IS truly that example of faith and trust that the world needs to see. Praise and honor need to be verbalized clearly.

 I am not perfect.  I mourn deeply.  I grieve for what I have lost…not just Jess, but strength in the physical realm, relationships that aren’t what they should be, events that I honestly don’t care to participate in, and on and on.  I have fears.  Fears of what is to come, fears of what our government is doing, fears of world collapse and wars. And the devil plays off of that, giving us plenty more where that came from.   But I KNOW with all my being that it’s all OK because God has power and control and His plan will be exactly what is needed to accomplish His will.  That is what I need to rest in, and that’s what I need to embrace, and wear for the world to see.  And I am well aware that we as believers are being closely observed to see if our talk matches our walk. When we focus on the negatives we fail in our mission to point others to the only One who can make something positive out of this fallen world.

Our fleshly perspective is that life is about us.  What we need, want, feel, etc.  Christians miss the mark with that mindset.  We are here to be ambassadors, to let our lives be a witness and testimony to the One who bought our redemption.  Our lives should be greatly different than those who don’t know Him.  And we need to make sure that in living that different life, God gets the praise for His working in us and through us.  It isn’t about US!!!!  Only a life broken and totally dependent on Him, willingly and persistently acknowledging His work in us, can accomplish that.  Am I always doing just that? Nope.  Because I have times when I forget where my focus should be.  I get selfish and want what I want.  Proud and think I’m somebody that deserves something more or better.  But I am compelled to start my day with Scripture, and read until my sinful, selfish, proud self is reduced to what it needs to be…broken and wanting only what the Savior wants for me for that minute, or hour or day…..

Psa 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Psa 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting

I hope you’ll take this message in the spirit it is written.  I can only judge the fruit I see.  I cannot judge motive. If you are a believer, and come to the conclusion that your God isn’t doing His job…isn’t fulfilling His work because there are things out there that are awful and unfixable in the world and in your life, what do the unbelievers in your world think?