GUILT OR GRATITUDE?

As Christians involved in a gospel-centered ministry, we fervently and compassionately pray for the broken-hearted and lost. That they receive the gift of saving faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. That they too can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2).

 
For that reason, we who were once lost “head out” into our homes, work places, schools, churches, prisons, group and care homes, parks, streets and the ends of the world to be the hands and feet of Jesus to an unlovely, depraved-filled world. We “go” with faith-filled, obeying hearts knowing that we have been commissioned by Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; John 17:18; John 3:16-18). We “pray and trust” that the Holy Spirit will be our Helper of whom Jesus promised whenever we share true hope, hope in Him. (John 14:16, 16:7; Romans 5:1-5) We stammer out words that we pray are words of Life found in God’s Word (Act 5:20).

With time, we each come to have our own stories of some form of persecution, rejection, or disconnection from the very people to whom we hope to bring the Good News. And, we each have our own stories of being dismayed and wearied in the very ministries to which we have been called by God. When we are confronted by the question, why any one of us would ever want to do this heart-breaking -- and often times, emotionally-draining, physically- challenging, and endangering -- kind of work, we must give this question honest reflection. For, I believe, God lovingly and graciously uses these times to reveal our hearts a little more clearly to us (1 Corin. 13:12).

It is now out of love that I pose this question. A question that I have asked of me over the years in times of discouragement, weariness, and just plain rebelliousness: Are we serving in that very moment to that particular person(s) out of guilt or gratitude? Oooooohhh, how these words cut deep into the wounds when our service is out of some form of guilt (at least they have for me each time I must give an honest answer before God).

Beloved, be encouraged. Know that God already knows the answer and he still loves you. Look at this as an opportunity to confess before the throne of grace. For if we are serving in that particular moment out of guilt for some past sin that we hope to gain forgiveness or favor from God, let us remind ourselves God’s Word:

 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God,

not a result of works,

so that no one may boast.”

(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Our deepest need is a Savior who forgives us and intercedes on our behalf to the Father. We have the blessed assurance of our salvation when we recall to mind and believe in the finished work of Christ, our Lord and Savior.

On the other hand, when we find ourselves answering that our service is out of a heart of gratitude yet still feel weary or discouraged, we must ask ourselves in whose strength do we go? In whose plan are we concerned? For whose glory do we desire?

Be of good cheer! Know that He who created the heavens and the earth is still exalted and reigns from high. He is our strength and our help in times of trouble. And, may the words found in Isaiah 40:18-31 be a reminder of the steadfast promise of our God:

“To whom then will you compare me,

that I should be like him? says the Holy One.

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?

He who brings out their host by number,

calling them all by name,

by the greatness of his might, and

because he is strong in power not one is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,

“My way is hidden from the Lord, and

my right is disregarded by my God”?

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

 

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.”

 

Along with our stories of trials and suffering, we each have the absolute joy and blessing of watching God’s gracious hands work through answered prayers and in His transforming work in our lives and, Lord willing, in the life of someone we know and love.  

Soli Deo Gloria!

NOTHING IS SECRET WITH GOD

There is a women-only site where women can divulge their hearts’ secrets. One recently posted a topic of “Endless Disappointments.” Reading this woman’s story sounded familiar – there is after all nothing new under the sun. This particular one desires her husband to make appropriate sacrifices to gain a marketable trade for which she believes will better his chances of providing for their family. Her husband instead refuses opportunity after opportunity, including free tuition at a University she worked at. He shifts blame on employers for not giving him a chance to move up the ladder.

 

After endless disappointments, her heart fails her and anger and bitterness begins to grow where love and encouragement once stowed. She tired of arguing and one too many broken promises. So she took the steps and made sacrifices to gain an AS, BA, and an MBA. Ultimately, she begins earning a six-figure income in a job that she loves but really wishes her success were also her husband’s. He barely makes more than minimum wage in one temp job after another. They are on the road to divorce; he just doesn’t know it yet.

 

Her story, while names and situations are different, is somewhat familiar to some wives. (Just fill in the blank of the disappointment du jour.) Wives, whose situations are similar to the woman above, may perceive this lack of care on their husband’s part as a lack of love for her, their family and the life they dreamed of (and planned on) living. She may or may not be right in her assessment. But, is it not really an insight to her deceiving heart and a failure to remember Christ her husband?

 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly

than all that we ask or think,

according to the power at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

(Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)

But, God is able to resurrect a dead marriage for his grace abounds! He renews believers' minds daily and continues to transform our hearts (Rom. 12:1-2). He enables us to will and work according to his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). He has not left us to our own devices, but has given us His Spirit who intercedes our inner groaning (Rom. 8:26-27).

 

By His transforming work, a wife after God’s own heart knows God, trusts in him, and hopes in his promises. She is enabled to take captive every thought to trust in God. She seeks refuge in God (Psalm 91) and not friends who are really foes that will only encourage her downfall (Psalm 1:1-3). She can sing like Moses and praise God for the work He is doing (Exodus 15). She IS a woman who laughs at the things to come (Prov. 31:25).  Though she knows not what the journey may bring, she has the gift of faith in God who planned her days from the beginning of old and, therefore, she walks in confidence in Him who reigns.

 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

(Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV)

SIMPLE TRUTHS

During a women's retreat many years ago, a sweet friend shared how she often wrote Scripture, promises, etc. on 3 1/2 x 5 cards and kept them in her purse. Her testimony encouraged me to do the same.

This afternoon, I was cleaning out old paper work and found one that I wrote some years ago when the tunnel of life seemed dark and uncertain. It reads:

"Simple Truths

1.  God is sovereign and is in control of all the details of my life (Eph. 1);

2.  God is loving, and (He) shapes the details of my life for my good;

3.  God is all-wise, and (He) will not do everything I want because He knows what I need;

4.  God is patient and may take His time to do all this, so that my divine story brings Him glory.*"

Oh, how these simple truths over the last few years have continually pointed me to go before the throne of grace, seek His Word, and remember His promises. That I would be sanctified and humbled daily to care less about my story and more about bringing Him glory and enjoying Him eternally. 

 
*Not sure if I read this somewhere or what. All I remember is that it blessed me and I hope it does the same for you.