I think most of us wonder from time to time if our lives have or are truly making a positive difference within the limited sphere of our influence. Having been involved in quite a variety of Christian ministries since 1975 (not to mention earlier attempts to impact fellow military comrades for Christ), I ponder this one often! For those of us who take our faith seriously, nothing is more important than leaving behind a legacy of effectiveness for the Kingdom of God.
When asked what the most profound thought was he’d ever entertained, a very brilliant (and universally known) theologian responded with “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!” As another “well-known” recently put it: “Success [in God’s economy] is measured not in accomplishments but in faithfulness.”
The heart-desire to be well-pleasing to the Lord is something God sees. I believe this is what David had and hence God’s declaration, despite many heinous shortcomings, that David was a man after His own heart (Psalms 32 and 51 are examples of why God thought this way of David).
In the old days, before disposable diapers were so popular and affordable, parents used cotton diapers and diaper pins. It was great fun trying to get your kid to lie still long enough so you could pin on the diaper! Legs and arms going 90 miles an hour; arching their back; screaming. You’d say, “But Billy, this diaper is for your own good” — as you’d stick him with a pin! God goes through that same thing with us! He sees the need, but we won’t lie still long enough and quiet enough for Him to take care of it. We think He’s gonna’ “stick” us with something bad! But the sooner we settle down, slow down, the quicker He can administer the antidote.
F.B. Meyer (1847-1929) spent the last few years of his life working as a pastor in England’s churches, but still made trips to North America, including one he made at age 80 (his earlier evangelistic tours had included South Africa and Asia, as well as the United States and Canada). A few days before his death, Meyer wrote the following words to a friend: “I have just heard, to my great surprise, that I have but a few days to live. It may be that before this reaches you, I shall have entered the palace. Don’t trouble to write. We shall meet in the morning.”
When we’re up against something concerning, unsettling, unnerving, intimidating, etc. we must choose to avail ourselves to our Lord’s fabulous provision: give it to Him — and leave it there! When tempted to pick it back up we need to remind ourselves (and Satan!) that we have given this to Jesus; it’s in His powerful hands; He will take care of it — period.
Seems like those who do the greatest good for God’s kingdom also suffer the most. Indeed, this seeming injustice has contributed to many a saint bailing on God, defecting from the Christian faith. I can understand the disillusionment these folks feel; suffering while serving God — or even while just being a decent, responsible citizen — is something we don’t like; it just doesn’t make any sense humanly speaking.
God keeps a school for His children here on earth and one of His best teachers is Disappointment. My friend, when you and I reach our Father’s house, we shall look back and see the sharp-voiced, rough-visaged teacher, Disappointment, was one of the best guides to train us for it. He gave us hard lessons; he often used the rod; he often led us into thorny paths; he sometimes stripped off a load of luxuries, but that only made us travel the freer and the faster on our heavenward way.
ow does an artist share his faith in a genuine way? How can a singer use her talent as a communicator rather than a performer? Two key elements are a strategic vision and a servant’s heart. First, a strategic vision develops from the artist’s clear idea of the goal that he or she wants to achieve, an idea which then organizes and informs every step toward that goal.