Arise, shine… —Isaiah 60:1
"Drudgery is one of the finest tests to determine the genuineness of our character. It is the utterly hard, menial, tiresome, and dirty work. And when we experience it, our spirituality is instantly tested and we will know whether or not we are spiritually genuine. Read John 13. In this chapter, we see the Incarnate God performing the greatest example of drudgery— washing fishermen’s feet. He then says to them, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).”- Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest
God will not make us obey and step out .. we must choose to obey Him .. What God asks you to do will be contrary to the desires of your old nature. It may not be glorious … it most likely will be mundane … You may never stand before thousands like a Billy Graham … you more than likely be called to kneel before one, like Jesus. I shared the other day that the Lord had given me Galatians 6:2 as a command to focus on for this year … more correctly, from this year on ….
“Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”
Refer to Matthew 22:37-39 to read about the “law of Christ”. Martie and I sat with a woman while we were serving in Houston and listened to her as she poured her heart out for over 3 hours. The whole while, I was reminding myself of Galatians 6:2. I mean most of us are willing to give someone a few minutes .. but three hours? When I was talking with the same woman about repairs to her home a few days later she commented on her visit to our office. She told me that she was talking to her friend about it. She told her friend “These people listened to me talk about things I have not ever shared with anyone for over three hours! Where did these people come from? Why are they here?” I told her that we are here because God sent us here. I told her that we are here not to merely help restore the houses but primarily to help the people who live in those houses. That help is more than sheetrock and paint … nails and lumber … it is meant to bring comfort from the God of all comfort … Laying our lives and livelihood down and coming to disaster area does not mean we are heroes … it simply means we are obedient. We have some dear friends who told us that they “live simply so others can simply live”. A wonderful model for us.
I was speaking to a home owner the other day. We had to return to her home to reposition the shed we had placed there. She apologized for being such an inconvenience. I told her that she was worth the inconvenience. She looked at me surprised and then her eyes welled up with tears. That opened up a conversation about her telling me about her faith struggle. I was able to encourage her to not lose hope and be confident that God is faithful. so it really wasn't about the shed at all.
God has a purpose for each of us .. has equipped us each for that purpose. Our responsibility is to walk in obedience by faith and fulfill whatever it is the He has planned for us. No matter how inconvenient.
"What does the Lord require of you, O’ man. But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8
God does not actually say “Go” by yourself .. He says “Come to where I am” So …. what are you waiting for? Arise and Shine!
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