Saturday

Where is God when you're waiting? 

Jesus had died, and I'm guessing the disciples were completely unsure about what to do. They didn't have the answers, and the One who did was dead. But God can use the waiting, the silences, to build our trust. He promises that He has a good plan for us - do you trust Him?

God's word tells us that those who wait on Him will have their strength renewed. If you're waiting for an answer, or for direction, or for Him to speak, take time to thank Him for an opportunity to trust. 

Sunday is coming.

Friday

Where is God when things seem like they're falling apart?

2,000 years ago, when Jesus was hanging on the cross, I'm sure a similar question ran through the minds of the disciples. Where is God now? How could this be happening? Is sin winning? When in reality, one of the most miraculous and amazing events was taking place - the God of the universe was taking our sin upon himself, literally dying to forgive and free you and me. 

When you feel like things are falling apart, remember that God is still at work, and He is working all things for good. We can trust Him even when we don't know what he's doing. 

It's Friday but Sunday is coming.

The Process Is More Important Than the Results

We've been convinced by our culture and the people around us that the result is more important than the process. It doesn't matter what it takes, doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you get the job done. The end justifies the means.

But a Christian lifestyle says completely the opposite. Let me explain.

When we are called to serve Christ, it is an important task to complete that mission. But the task, the result, the goal, isn't the most important part. It doesn't matter how many people we clothe, how much food we distribute, or how many houses we build if we aren't doing it in love. The process is more important than the result. The Why and the How are more important than the What.

So why and how should we serve? Why and how should we live, breathe, and perform every task in our lives? It comes back to the million dollar question - what is the meaning of life? Three things come to mind:

1) to bring glory to God - according to God in Isaiah 43:7, we are created for His glory. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians to do everything, even the simple things like eating and drinking, for the glory of God. In every little thing you do, consider how you can glorify, honor, and bring praise to God.

2) to strengthen our relationship with God - God calls us to draw near to Him and seek Him always.

3) to bring others closer to God - (if they already know God: to help them strengthen their relationship with Him. If they don't know God: to introduce them!) We are called to make disciples, and that involves pouring into people's lives and helping them in their walk with Christ.

The process is more important than the results. When we are called to perform an act of service, it's important to get the job done well and obey what we are called to do. But it's easy to get so caught up in reaching the goal that we forget how important the process really is.

Jesus is not about results, He's about relationships. Jesus doesn't want us to just check the boxes, He wants us to check our hearts. Bringing Him glory, drawing nearer to Him, and helping others draw near to Him are the ultimate goals.

The process is more important than the results.

Every Moment

It takes great faith to follow God in the terrifying, the humiliating, and the big important missions. But maybe it takes greater faith to be able to live for Him in the mundane, day-to-day, boring stuff.

From the moment our tired minds awake, to the moment sleep envelopes us again, we are called to live diligently, excitedly, and whole-heartedly for Christ. And what faith that requires!

What faith, what love, what patience it takes to hold back the sharp response. What faith, what joy it takes to do the boring chores with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. What faith, what self control it takes to do everything - yes, everything - without complaining or grumbling. What faith, what kindness it takes to help someone with a task they should have learned weeks ago.

But this is what we are called to do. Live for Christ in every moment - not just in the big, exciting, adrenaline filled moments, but also in the small, mundane, unnoticed moments. For if we are faithful - if our faith endures - in the small things, then it will also endure in the big things.

How do we do this?

1) in the moments - do everything in love. With every action, every word, every thought, consider how love would respond. And keep in mind that love is patient and kind, it does not envy or boast, it is not proud or rude or self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, love does not delight in evil, but it rejoices with the Truth. It always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres. Love never fails.

2) in the long run - be in touch with the Spirit of God. When He is in your life, you will be filled with that fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Spend time in His Word, in tune with His Spirit. The Spirit will lead us, I believe, not just to the big, hard, important things, but also to live with love in the small, harder, everyday things.

In the end, it doesn't matter how many people you fed or how many hours you sang to the Lord if you did not have love. What matters is your heart and your attitude. You can do great things, speak in tongues, feed children in Africa, but without love - it is meaningless. We are nothing without love.

Take the challenge. Live with love in every single moment, and your faith will stand.