Good Morning!
I am so very grateful for my God and Savior Jesus Christ who snatched me from death and gave me new life. Through that, he assigned me the task of telling other people about him. Jesus Freaks were the very thing that I most detested most in my former life. Yet, he changed me completely from the inside out so that now I welcome opportunities to share my story and faith in Him. It’s really quite remarkable.
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
My desires are quite different now than they once were. Jesus changed all that. He’s the one who gave me new desires. Certainly, some of my old desires lined up with his, but many big ones did not. He removed those that were infected and did so without any pain or scar. In their place, he gave me new desires, ones that were according to God’s will. I am always amazed at how good of a fit they are. Actually, they are perfect.
Why should I be amazed at that? Well, I am amazed at the miracle he has done in my life, certainly. Still, I shouldn’t be amazed that his will for me is better than my own desires. You see, the longer I walk with Jesus the more I begin to understand that my will is influenced with selfishness. I don’t choose the difficult path when there is an easy one to follow, especially if I don’t know where either is necessarily headed. All too often, however, he takes me down the difficult path only to discover something wonderful along the way.
It should seem obvious, therefore, that I should welcome the difficult path. It would make sense that I should know that there is great reward wherever God leads me. If it’s difficult, all the better because the reward is certainly worth it. Right? Right.
There is one more thing to consider. Sometimes this difficult path is long. Actually, one might find it to be a road instead of a path. Heck, some appear to zigzag across continents! Not only that, but the reward might not be obvious. Maybe it will never materialize in any form that we might hope. Our mission may be obvious, but the expected outcome may not. I may be certain my mission is to proclaim the gospel to some specific person, yet it may take decades for the person to respond positively. In fact, s/he may deny Jesus through their final breath.
Does that make the journey a failure? Certainly not. Remember, God is in control and His will is always best. My real task isn’t to make things happen. My task is the journey itself.
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
God has recently placed an alcoholic in my life. My assignment is to share the good news of Jesus Christ and demonstrate what He has done for me. What God does with this man is up to Him. I shall not be disappointed if he continues on his destructive path. I know my God is infinite in his wisdom. God is good. Always.
Father, I ask that you guide me with this man. Grant me wisdom and provide opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus. Encourage me not in my own efforts but in the knowledge of you. I desire to walk with you, no matter where the journey may take us. Amen.
Copyright © 2018 Scott Powers