I would like to share the following quotation from Forgotten God
, by Francis Chan:
“I don’t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit. I want people to look at my life and know that I couldn’t be doing this by my own power. I want to live in such a way that I am desperate for Him to come through. That if He doesn’t come through, I am screwed.”
Convicted? Encouraged? Challenged? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
There are many places in Scripture where the phrase “how long, oh Lord” is expressed. This phrase exhibits a longing for change and protection.
As I listen to news of the day I connect with this sentiment. There is much in our world that appears out of control and evil seems to win the day too often. My thoughts echo the words in Habakkuk 1:3-4, where he asks God,
“Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.”
Reading further, I am reminded that God remains in control and I can leave it in His hands. I long for the day when Jesus reigns and this mess will be cleaned up. Yet, somehow, I must learn to be content living in the not-yet.
I am learning (slowly) to hear God’s prompting as to what I am to be about and be content to let the rest go. I’m also learning to bring the stuff I cannot change to God in prayer knowing that he cares about it and will bring his plan into reality.
The core question is “do I trust that God loves me and is concerned about me?” If the answer is yes, then I will stand on that and rest.
It turns out that those popular kids in High School really were as clueless as me; they were just better at hiding it. Now the popular kids are elected officials and still clueless. I came upon this thought as I wondered why the decisions made by our government representatives seem to be getting less rational.
I have heard it said that it is insanity to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. Yet, humanity has been trying for at least 6,000 years to run things without God. The further we get away from the plan that God revealed to us, the worse the results are. Why am I surprised at the foibles of a government that is increasingly turning to Atheism as the state religion?
Jesus predicted that immediately prior to his return, things will get a lot worse. I should not be surprised that there is increasing hostility toward God and those who believe in Him.
As I move into 2011, I am reminded that as individuals and as a church, we have the responsibility to continue making disciples. The distinction between the citizens of Heaven and the citizens of this world will become more clear as we near the end. It is our job to be used by God to bring many into the Kingdom of Heaven before it’s too late.
It is my hope and prayer that God will bring revival to our country and that we will return to the principles upon which it was founded. But if not, we should not be dismayed because our King is soon to return to claim his throne.
Bring on 2011. We’re one year closer . . .
