How do you know the condition of your soul? At the end of this life will your eternal destination be heaven? Hell? How do you know if you have been forgiven? If you have been granted salvation? How do you know if you will be taken up to heaven at the end of this age, or left behind to suffer the greatest tribulation man will ever know? Is there any way to know for sure? If you've prayed for salvation once, do you have to do it again? If you've asked for forgiveness, are you forgiven?
It seems like sometimes there are more questions than certainties. We (we humans? we in the western culture? I don't know if it's our nature or our culture that drives this need, but "we"...) seem to have a desire that almost borders on a need to KNOW what God will do, how, when, why. We want definitive answers that are clear-cut and laid right out there for us. We don't want to have to look for them. We don't want to have to work for them. Basically, we just want the answers given to us.
But a large part of this life we have been given is designed to be centered around learning - SEEKING, WAITING, TRUSTING, DEPENDING ON - God and His ways. Our dependence on Him to lead us and guide us through this life creates in us a humility of spirit that is absolutely necessary to keep our selfishness and pride at bay. It is not that He does not want us to have answers. He has given us a whole BOOK of answers. He simply desires that we take the time and put forth the effort to search for them, and in doing so, seek and find Him.
When we are active in our relationship with Him - as we take the time to sit and read the Bible, as we take time to pray - a wonderful process plays out. Our understanding and knowledge of Him (not head knowledge that can be spouted off by memory, but heartfelt knowledge that stirs the very deepest emotions and affections) will begin to grow and develop. We become more and more aware of Him - His nature, His character, His personality, His passions and desires. We become more and more willing to open ourselves up to Him, to let Him into those closed off places that we have tucked away out of sight. We become more willing to let Him work things out in us, and we become more cooperative, less resistant to His correction and discipline.
It is through this process that He refines us, shapes us and molds us more and more into His likeness. And it is through this process that we absolutely fall in love with Him in a way that cannot be described in words. Ultimately, it is this process that gives us the security and the peace of knowing what we have no other way of knowing. Because of our relationship with Him, we are able to KNOW that our salvation is secured; know that our sins have been forgiven; know that we are covered by grace; know that we are seen and loved and favored by the King of everything; KNOW that our eternity will be spent with Him.
It is ONLY through a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus that we have this security of knowing. It is in relationship with Him that we have the grace to make mistakes, ask forgiveness, and try again. Here we are able to learn to daily crucify those things that would hinder us from the perfect plan and design that God has for our lives. It is ALL about the condition of our hearts - the genuineness of our belief in Him, our desire to know Him, our willingness to put in the effort and to do the things He has asked of us (obedience). The Bible makes it clear that God is absolutely concerned with the heart of a person. A heart in love with God can only be found in a man or woman who is in relationship with God. There is no other way. Relationship is the absolute key to knowing.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thought-Provoking
A while ago, I bought the book The Shack with intentions of sitting down and reading straight through it. My purchase was prompted by a conversation with a super dear friend of mine... sparked my interest, so I thought I'd give it a go.
However, I started reading, cried more than I expected in the first 3 chapters, and so stopped reading. I think I thought I knew what was coming, and I didn't want to read about it... so I just didn't. Book sat on my shelf for several months, totally untouched.
Then a few weeks ago, my neighbor came over one morning, and in passing conversation, she said something about the book that sparked an interest again. So I sat down, picked it back up, and started fresh from the beginning.
This time, it took me less than one day to plow through that. It was the kind of book I wanted to keep reading. I wanted to know more, see what happened next, and most of all, be provoked to really think and ponder the things that were being presented.
I've never known a book to pack so much into so few pages. The number of topics and facets of God's being and nature that are fit into the pages of The Shack are just astounding. So much so that I have now begun rereading it, at a much slower pace, even jotting down notes along the way, so that I can fully digest and consider all that's being said. Once I've gotten through it the second time, I'll go back through my notes, and take a closer look at what I feel I truly believe to be solid... and then maybe do some digging on any issues I am unsure of.
At a minimum, it is more than safe to say, this book has captured my interest beyond anything I've read for quite some time. It is a great illustration of so many aspects of God. It is unbelievably thought-provoking. And it has renewed my deepest passion to know God as He really is... and to be closer to Him than ever before. Love that.
However, I started reading, cried more than I expected in the first 3 chapters, and so stopped reading. I think I thought I knew what was coming, and I didn't want to read about it... so I just didn't. Book sat on my shelf for several months, totally untouched.
Then a few weeks ago, my neighbor came over one morning, and in passing conversation, she said something about the book that sparked an interest again. So I sat down, picked it back up, and started fresh from the beginning.
This time, it took me less than one day to plow through that. It was the kind of book I wanted to keep reading. I wanted to know more, see what happened next, and most of all, be provoked to really think and ponder the things that were being presented.
I've never known a book to pack so much into so few pages. The number of topics and facets of God's being and nature that are fit into the pages of The Shack are just astounding. So much so that I have now begun rereading it, at a much slower pace, even jotting down notes along the way, so that I can fully digest and consider all that's being said. Once I've gotten through it the second time, I'll go back through my notes, and take a closer look at what I feel I truly believe to be solid... and then maybe do some digging on any issues I am unsure of.
At a minimum, it is more than safe to say, this book has captured my interest beyond anything I've read for quite some time. It is a great illustration of so many aspects of God. It is unbelievably thought-provoking. And it has renewed my deepest passion to know God as He really is... and to be closer to Him than ever before. Love that.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Laying Down on the Battlefield
Ephesians 6 gives us three basic steps for living our lives daily for God.
1 - Be strong in the Lord. Earlier in Ephesians, we are told to be rooted and established in Christ's love, that we would KNOW the full scope of His love. This is the basis of a true and lasting, unshakable relationship with the King of everything. Know Him. Be rooted and established in understanding and knowledge of how He loves us.
2 - Put on God's full armour so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. The armour of God consists of righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. These are elements that should be a central part of our daily lives. These are tools that we have at in our grasp to use to live successful, victorious lives.
3 - Pray. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. You know, it IS possible to get dressed for battle and then lie down on the battlefield. No one says that a fully-dressed soldier will automatically engage in battle. The soldier has to actively choose to engage and take part in the battle. This is the element of prayer for Christians. Prayer is our battle action. There is a note on this in my Bible. It reads as follows:
Prayer is not to be seen just as another weapon, but as part of the actual conflict itself, where the victory is won for ourselves and others by working together with God Himself. To fail to pray diligently, with all kinds of prayer in all situations is to submit to the enemy.
So I ask you, WHY get dressed in full armor if you are going to lie down in the middle of the battle field and allow the opposition to have his way? Why not align yourself together with the Almighty God and ask Him, invite Him, to work in circumstances around you to advance His will and kingdom. This is His design. That we would partner with Him, work together with Him, invite Him into situations and circumstances. That we work together, united in Christ. It is His design throughout eternity, and nothing but actively engaging in prayer - all kind of prayers and requests - will bring about the victory we hope for.
What circumstances in your life would you love to see God work in? I sat down this morning and made a list of those things in my own life, and then I took some quiet time to pray for each one of them.
Psalm 34:15 - The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.
1 - Be strong in the Lord. Earlier in Ephesians, we are told to be rooted and established in Christ's love, that we would KNOW the full scope of His love. This is the basis of a true and lasting, unshakable relationship with the King of everything. Know Him. Be rooted and established in understanding and knowledge of how He loves us.
2 - Put on God's full armour so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. The armour of God consists of righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. These are elements that should be a central part of our daily lives. These are tools that we have at in our grasp to use to live successful, victorious lives.
3 - Pray. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. You know, it IS possible to get dressed for battle and then lie down on the battlefield. No one says that a fully-dressed soldier will automatically engage in battle. The soldier has to actively choose to engage and take part in the battle. This is the element of prayer for Christians. Prayer is our battle action. There is a note on this in my Bible. It reads as follows:
Prayer is not to be seen just as another weapon, but as part of the actual conflict itself, where the victory is won for ourselves and others by working together with God Himself. To fail to pray diligently, with all kinds of prayer in all situations is to submit to the enemy.
So I ask you, WHY get dressed in full armor if you are going to lie down in the middle of the battle field and allow the opposition to have his way? Why not align yourself together with the Almighty God and ask Him, invite Him, to work in circumstances around you to advance His will and kingdom. This is His design. That we would partner with Him, work together with Him, invite Him into situations and circumstances. That we work together, united in Christ. It is His design throughout eternity, and nothing but actively engaging in prayer - all kind of prayers and requests - will bring about the victory we hope for.
What circumstances in your life would you love to see God work in? I sat down this morning and made a list of those things in my own life, and then I took some quiet time to pray for each one of them.
Psalm 34:15 - The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Ephesians 1:7-8
Ephesians 1:7-8 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom & understanding.
- In Him... only through a relationship with Christ. A relationship. Not a superficial knowledge of. It's about STAYING in Him. Living with Him.
- Through His blood... not by anything we have or ever will do. This is huge to me. I had a conversation with a good friend of mine just a few weeks ago who is a dear sweet person, but who wholeheartedly believes that she is "good on the whole eternity thing" because she has made good moral choices, she donates old clothes to charity, and she takes care of family members, etc. As I listened to her talk, my heart broke. It has NOTHING to do with what WE have done. It has EVERYTHING to do with HIM. It's all about Him. There is nothing else.
- redemption... awesome! We've been redeemed. Webster defines that as:
1: a : to buy back : repurchase b : to get or win back
2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a : to free from captivity by payment of
ransom b : to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c : to
release from blame or debt : clear d : to free from the consequences of sin
3: to change for the better : reform
4: repair, restore
5a : to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1) : to remove the
obligation of by payment(2) : to exchange for something of value c : to make good : fulfill
6a : to atone for : expiateb (1) : to offset the bad effect of (2) : to make worthwhile : retrieve
- riches of God's grace... all of this because He has an abundance of grace and mercy that He pours out for us. He lavishes us with it. We ought to take time to bask in it!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Galatians 1:10
Galatians 1:10 - Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Two things about this that come into focus for me right now.
1. What is my motivation? Who am I more interested in pleasing - God or people?
2. Can't do both. Paul makes it clear that there is no option to split the vote. We must choose one - focus on one.
Two things about this that come into focus for me right now.
1. What is my motivation? Who am I more interested in pleasing - God or people?
2. Can't do both. Paul makes it clear that there is no option to split the vote. We must choose one - focus on one.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
An Instant of Change
I love how the Word of God can, in an instant, lift me right up and fill me with hope and encouragement. Tonight as I was reading, a very simple truth was made crystal clear to me in only a moment: My circumstances don't matter. How long they last does not matter. The only thing that matters is that, in an instant, God can change them entirely for my good and for His glory.
A Biblical example to illustrate this is found in Chapter 3 of Acts.
This man was crippled from birth, which means His circumstances lasted a LONG time. He sat at the gate every day, which means that many men of faith, and perhaps even Jesus Himself, walked past this man every day until the day Peter and John spoke to him and he was healed.
I'm sure that this was God's divine plan. I'm certain that Peter and John followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit on this particular day which allow this man to be healed. The cool thing to think about is that circumstances, day after day, could easily cause one to believe that this man had been overlooked or forgotten (or maybe ignored?) by God. Yet, in an instant, because of this man's faith in the name of Jesus, he was totally and completely healed, not only for his own good, but also for the glory and honor of God and for the advancement of His Kingdom. Awesome.
****
A Biblical example to illustrate this is found in Chapter 3 of Acts.
- One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer - at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?... By faith int he name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. (Acts 3: 1-12, 16)
This man was crippled from birth, which means His circumstances lasted a LONG time. He sat at the gate every day, which means that many men of faith, and perhaps even Jesus Himself, walked past this man every day until the day Peter and John spoke to him and he was healed.
I'm sure that this was God's divine plan. I'm certain that Peter and John followed the promptings of the Holy Spirit on this particular day which allow this man to be healed. The cool thing to think about is that circumstances, day after day, could easily cause one to believe that this man had been overlooked or forgotten (or maybe ignored?) by God. Yet, in an instant, because of this man's faith in the name of Jesus, he was totally and completely healed, not only for his own good, but also for the glory and honor of God and for the advancement of His Kingdom. Awesome.
****
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lukewarm
For the past month, maybe two, I have had this nagging feeling in the depths of my heart, somewhere down deep where the nagging is barely noticeable, and can be easily ignored if paying attention to it is inconvenient, which it generally tends to be. This nagging is suggesting that I am off course; that I need to right the ship before I shipwreck completely. But I hear this little suggestion, and I think to myself, "No, not me. I love God. I've gone to church every Sunday for the past four years. I ready my Bible. I pray. I give. I want to give my life to God. You can't be talking about me." Right?
Unless you know me personally, you very likely do not know my current set of circumstances. Truthfully, not a lot of detail is necessary. Suffice it to say that we, as a family, have found ourselves in a situation that is less-than-ideal as far as finances go. It all has to do with buying / selling homes at a really unfortunate time as far as real estate goes. Blah blah, boring details. Here's what matters about all of this... going through this has really started to peel back the layers of scales that have grown over my eyes and blinded me. Not even three months ago, I would have told you, and would have whole-heartedly believed that I completely and totally trusted God and depended on Him and was willing to give Him whatever, sacrifice whatever. As I've walked through this, slowly the truth of the matter has come into focus. I have given a part of myself to God. The other part, I have rested securely in financial stability and a comfort in knowing what to expect out of life. There are just some things for which I do not consult God, do not depend on God, and have, thus far, fully expected Him to let me keep. In a nutshell, I've been resting in my comfortable life. Trusting in my bank account balance. My pleasure, my peace, my security, even my daily provisions - I've looked to something other than God for all of it.
And so the nagging that I've suppressed and ignored will not let me be. Truly, I do not wish to ignore it. Because I fear that ignoring it can only lead me away from God, and that is where I cannot afford to go. I MUST have Him! I MUST love Him! I must know Him! At all cost. At all measure of correction and discipline. I can't afford to live my life lukewarm, half depending on God, half depending on the world. I pray with all sincerity that He will grip my heart and refine me in this area. That I would be consumed by Him. That's my prayer. That He would be the only thing that truly measures of any value in my life. Everything is from Him. Everything is for Him. Nothing else will do. Nothing else matters. This must be the position of my heart, or I am at risk of being spit out.
Revelation 3:16 - So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Unless you know me personally, you very likely do not know my current set of circumstances. Truthfully, not a lot of detail is necessary. Suffice it to say that we, as a family, have found ourselves in a situation that is less-than-ideal as far as finances go. It all has to do with buying / selling homes at a really unfortunate time as far as real estate goes. Blah blah, boring details. Here's what matters about all of this... going through this has really started to peel back the layers of scales that have grown over my eyes and blinded me. Not even three months ago, I would have told you, and would have whole-heartedly believed that I completely and totally trusted God and depended on Him and was willing to give Him whatever, sacrifice whatever. As I've walked through this, slowly the truth of the matter has come into focus. I have given a part of myself to God. The other part, I have rested securely in financial stability and a comfort in knowing what to expect out of life. There are just some things for which I do not consult God, do not depend on God, and have, thus far, fully expected Him to let me keep. In a nutshell, I've been resting in my comfortable life. Trusting in my bank account balance. My pleasure, my peace, my security, even my daily provisions - I've looked to something other than God for all of it.
And so the nagging that I've suppressed and ignored will not let me be. Truly, I do not wish to ignore it. Because I fear that ignoring it can only lead me away from God, and that is where I cannot afford to go. I MUST have Him! I MUST love Him! I must know Him! At all cost. At all measure of correction and discipline. I can't afford to live my life lukewarm, half depending on God, half depending on the world. I pray with all sincerity that He will grip my heart and refine me in this area. That I would be consumed by Him. That's my prayer. That He would be the only thing that truly measures of any value in my life. Everything is from Him. Everything is for Him. Nothing else will do. Nothing else matters. This must be the position of my heart, or I am at risk of being spit out.
Revelation 3:16 - So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Waiting for the World to Change
We sat in a restaurant yesterday, finishing our lunch of a gigantic stuffed pizza, and talking about the upcoming weekend, when the song changed in the background. The familiar tune, Waiting on the World to Change, filled the atmosphere, and I was totally distracted from our conversation as I listened again to the lyrics of that song.
I have always felt so torn by that song - I really do like the tune, and I WANT to like the song. But something about the lyrics just twinges something in me that makes me want to rise up and say, 'No! That's not right!'
I mean, I GET that there are MANY things out of balance and out of order in our world. I get that many injustices exist at present that seem insurmountable. I GET that 'the fight ain't fair.' All true. I agree.
But the part that makes me want to scream is the part where we all just sit and wait for something better... as if life is a passive journey, and if we just sit and wait and hope long enough, through no effort of our own, and by no other external force or means or action taken, all the elements of the world will align into a sense of something better. How does that even remotely make any sense? Yet it's a philosophy that, culturally, we have bought into wholeheartedly. And so the world goes on, spinning farther and farther into darkness.
This attitude of, 'I'm just one person; my voice is not loud enough; I can't make a difference' completely and wholly discounts the idea that we can at all have an impact on our culture and our surroundings. If that is true, then we must resign to a dark and empty, purposeless idea that our lives make not even the tiniest ripple or disturbance in the course of history - that we will come and go, not having impacted the course of the world to any degree. I've only lived a very short 32 years, but I have seen enough to know that this is entirely untrue.
Our lives are very much influenced and directed by the course of others, and likewise, our lives very much influence and direct others' courses. One person impacts another in such a way as to change his or her life forever. And our world's history is crammed full of notable individuals who have left a resounding mark on the course of history - each having been impacted by one, or even several, individual whom history does not record. Yet those unrecorded names, those forgotten faces, were no less significant because they are not documented. They held no less power to influence or to impact the world around them. Because they changed the life of someone they encountered, they redirected history and altered local and world culture. One person. One voice. One life lived. No particular position of 'importance' or 'influence,' yet proven to be very important and very influential.
And so it is with me. So it is with you. We each have been given by God one life; one voice; and 24 hours in every day. It is how we use what we have been given that will determine the direction of the world. True, I am one person, relatively unknown to the world, except by those immediately surrounding me. True, I do not have a world stage to stand on, nor worldly power and influence to work with. But I have the ability to change my world by taking the time to invest my life in someone else's life. If I am God's child, full of His Spirit, His love, His passion, His wisdom, His grace, then I have the ability to take what is in me and pour it out on those around me - goodness, patience, love, peace, joy, and every good thing that He is. I have seen enough to know that when God overflows onto a person's life, their life has the potential to be forever changed for the better. And when that newly changed person begins to be filled with God, then that same person can begin to take what they have been given and give it away as well.
This chain of events is not grand or glorified. It is simple. It is not a quick-fix answer to a very complex set of problems. It requires time, patience, and faith. It requires that we each look outside of ourselves and begin to take notice of those around us who are hurting or in need- and more than that, to take action. Maybe not to fix their problems or to heal their hurts. That I know I do not have the power to do. But I do have the power to listen, to love, to give, to invest. I do have the power to be genuine and caring and enduring. I have the ability, with no agenda or ulterior motive, to be a friend and invest in the life of someone near me.
Imagine for a moment, a map of the world. On that map there are millions of dots scattered about. While maybe some of those dots are in close proximity to each other, they all seem to be generally isolated. They are just stand-alone dots, without much purpose.
Now, on that same map, begin to draw circles around those dots. The circles represent the circle of influence each dot has. Then on each circle, place another dot, and around that dot draw a circle. You can see, that in only two or three layers, we will begin to see those circles overlap. Those circles of influence begin to meet up, intersect, and soon the map is filled - covered - with dots surrounded by circles.
That is the idea of isolated, self-sustaining, keep-your-head-down and just blend in Christians (the original set of dots) beginning to live their lives the way Jesus did... encountering people, and impacting them for the Kingdom of God.... spreading love, forgiveness, goodness, healing, joy, hope... the list could go on forever.
The circles around that first set of dots represent the group of people those Christians could influence.
The new set of dots on the circles represent new Christians who are living their lives the way Jesus did, and the circles around them represent the groups of individuals they each have the opportunity to impact.
It's true. I am only one person. I am only one isolated dot on the map, and I will likely never in my lifetime have the opportunity to impact the entire world alone. But I have a circle around me. And I have the ability to inject into that circle all that God has put in me - goodness, kindness, patience, peace, joy, love, self-control, forgiveness, mercy.... I have the ability to encourage others around me for the better. I have the ability to love those around me unconditionally. I have the ability to live my life consistently before them, and to pray for the opportunity to speak to them about the One True God.
I have the ability to be used by God to change this world. I do not dare sit back and wait, or I will come to the end of this life that God has given me, and I will look back and see that I did nothing but waste precious time.
I have always felt so torn by that song - I really do like the tune, and I WANT to like the song. But something about the lyrics just twinges something in me that makes me want to rise up and say, 'No! That's not right!'
I mean, I GET that there are MANY things out of balance and out of order in our world. I get that many injustices exist at present that seem insurmountable. I GET that 'the fight ain't fair.' All true. I agree.
But the part that makes me want to scream is the part where we all just sit and wait for something better... as if life is a passive journey, and if we just sit and wait and hope long enough, through no effort of our own, and by no other external force or means or action taken, all the elements of the world will align into a sense of something better. How does that even remotely make any sense? Yet it's a philosophy that, culturally, we have bought into wholeheartedly. And so the world goes on, spinning farther and farther into darkness.
This attitude of, 'I'm just one person; my voice is not loud enough; I can't make a difference' completely and wholly discounts the idea that we can at all have an impact on our culture and our surroundings. If that is true, then we must resign to a dark and empty, purposeless idea that our lives make not even the tiniest ripple or disturbance in the course of history - that we will come and go, not having impacted the course of the world to any degree. I've only lived a very short 32 years, but I have seen enough to know that this is entirely untrue.
Our lives are very much influenced and directed by the course of others, and likewise, our lives very much influence and direct others' courses. One person impacts another in such a way as to change his or her life forever. And our world's history is crammed full of notable individuals who have left a resounding mark on the course of history - each having been impacted by one, or even several, individual whom history does not record. Yet those unrecorded names, those forgotten faces, were no less significant because they are not documented. They held no less power to influence or to impact the world around them. Because they changed the life of someone they encountered, they redirected history and altered local and world culture. One person. One voice. One life lived. No particular position of 'importance' or 'influence,' yet proven to be very important and very influential.
And so it is with me. So it is with you. We each have been given by God one life; one voice; and 24 hours in every day. It is how we use what we have been given that will determine the direction of the world. True, I am one person, relatively unknown to the world, except by those immediately surrounding me. True, I do not have a world stage to stand on, nor worldly power and influence to work with. But I have the ability to change my world by taking the time to invest my life in someone else's life. If I am God's child, full of His Spirit, His love, His passion, His wisdom, His grace, then I have the ability to take what is in me and pour it out on those around me - goodness, patience, love, peace, joy, and every good thing that He is. I have seen enough to know that when God overflows onto a person's life, their life has the potential to be forever changed for the better. And when that newly changed person begins to be filled with God, then that same person can begin to take what they have been given and give it away as well.
This chain of events is not grand or glorified. It is simple. It is not a quick-fix answer to a very complex set of problems. It requires time, patience, and faith. It requires that we each look outside of ourselves and begin to take notice of those around us who are hurting or in need- and more than that, to take action. Maybe not to fix their problems or to heal their hurts. That I know I do not have the power to do. But I do have the power to listen, to love, to give, to invest. I do have the power to be genuine and caring and enduring. I have the ability, with no agenda or ulterior motive, to be a friend and invest in the life of someone near me.
Imagine for a moment, a map of the world. On that map there are millions of dots scattered about. While maybe some of those dots are in close proximity to each other, they all seem to be generally isolated. They are just stand-alone dots, without much purpose.
Now, on that same map, begin to draw circles around those dots. The circles represent the circle of influence each dot has. Then on each circle, place another dot, and around that dot draw a circle. You can see, that in only two or three layers, we will begin to see those circles overlap. Those circles of influence begin to meet up, intersect, and soon the map is filled - covered - with dots surrounded by circles.
That is the idea of isolated, self-sustaining, keep-your-head-down and just blend in Christians (the original set of dots) beginning to live their lives the way Jesus did... encountering people, and impacting them for the Kingdom of God.... spreading love, forgiveness, goodness, healing, joy, hope... the list could go on forever.
The circles around that first set of dots represent the group of people those Christians could influence.
The new set of dots on the circles represent new Christians who are living their lives the way Jesus did, and the circles around them represent the groups of individuals they each have the opportunity to impact.
It's true. I am only one person. I am only one isolated dot on the map, and I will likely never in my lifetime have the opportunity to impact the entire world alone. But I have a circle around me. And I have the ability to inject into that circle all that God has put in me - goodness, kindness, patience, peace, joy, love, self-control, forgiveness, mercy.... I have the ability to encourage others around me for the better. I have the ability to love those around me unconditionally. I have the ability to live my life consistently before them, and to pray for the opportunity to speak to them about the One True God.
I have the ability to be used by God to change this world. I do not dare sit back and wait, or I will come to the end of this life that God has given me, and I will look back and see that I did nothing but waste precious time.
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These are just my thoughts on things related to my daily walk with God. I've always been a journal-keeper, and this is the area that demands most of the space in every journal I've ever kept. This is my passion, and I hope that by sharing my thoughts on the things I'm going through, I might be able to bless you in some way. Enjoy.