Monday mornings seem to be the hardest time for me to put thoughts to paper. But this morning is even a little more difficult than normal. During the school year we are up by 4:30 AM at the latest so by the time I sit down to write, we have usually been up for three hours or more. Not so this morning. Because this is the day of my quarterly cancer checkup, RuthAnn took the day off to be with me. It is a loving gesture on her part, and I love her for it, but we did not get up and going as early as usual. Or maybe I should say, I didn’t. She was up and doing her devotions at 4:00 while her sleepy husband did not get up until after six.
So here I am later than normal and even though I slept longer than my usual 6 or 7 hours I still have a foggy brain. All that to say I am struggling to write a coherent blog. Even so I know that I have prayed to share something worth while and know the Holy Spirit has something for that purpose.
The one thing for sure is that I have been being led lately in ways that have made me take pause and wonder if I have been doing all that I can to serve the Lord as he wants me to. As I stated in my blog on Friday, last week was one of those times when God is truly doing all to speak in ways I could understand and relate to. His message was clear and, in some ways, stinging. It comes down to that I am not doing all I can to reach the lost, especially those who could benefit the most from my testimony.
Sure, I have shared it here for nearly two years now. And I believe that this blog has and will reach some who need to hear that our God seeks to save all including those who do not believe in him. I have also spoken in churches sharing the same message. I do not stand before a congregation to preach but to share God’s power to save through my testimony. But is that enough for me? Is what you are doing to share his love with others enough? Is there ever a place or time where we are doing ‘enough’. I think if we look to Jesus the answer to that is simple. Simple yet a bit scary, because of the words Jesus spoke pertaining to how much we should be willing to give if we are true followers of his.
“If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well” (John 15: 19-20) Reading Jesus words what then is enough? According to what he is saying we cannot be of this world and if we are not then the world will hate us. Hate us enough to be persecuted. Hate us enough to kill us as they did Jesus. Isn’t that scary? Isn’t that extreme? Did Jesus really mean what he said? Can’t we just do the comfortable things? Can’t I just write a blog from the comforts of my home or speak to like believers in a friendly church. If I believe Jesus and believe his words, then I need an answer to all of this, so, yes it can be scary. And yes, it is extreme and yes Jesus knew the cross was our only way of salvation and it was extreme for the Creator to die for his creation, can we expect anything less for ourselves. And more so, no writing a blog is not enough. Nor is speaking to like believers going to fulfill God’s call. It will only be when I am willing to surrender all to him and live every day and every minute seeking to share what he has done for me, no matter the consequence that I will hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” (Matthew 25:33) These are words I long to hear.
I told you I was not extremely coherent this morning and if these disjointed thoughts have left you more confused than fulfilled, I pray they have at least made you think of where your life is now. How much are you willing to surrender. A quarter, half, maybe three-quarters? Is it enough? That is the question I leave with you all. I know my answer, how about you.
Blessings John
3/11/19
