Hey Good Buddy - Ya Got Yer Ears On?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

‘So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will— “the Son can do nothing of Himself . . . ” (John 5:19). Then compare this with what we do— we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ. Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature.’ CHAMBERS

 

Two opposite ends of the spectrum of Christian service.  On the one hand you have the Christian (we will call him Fred for reference) who will never step out in obedience to what the Lord has directed them to do, but will be content to sit in the stands and watch the game from afar.  On the other end, you have the Christian (Bob) who has great compassion for the needs seen and tries to meet them all.  In his mind it would be unconscionable to do otherwise.  The middle ground  is the Christian who hears the Lord voice and serves in the capacity that the Lord has purposed for him.  Just because we can .. does not mean we should.  To Fred that means you never should.  To Bob that means if you don’t you are disobedient.  Jesus did not keep himself separate from the crowds and yet, He did not physically heal or feed everyone he met. That is a temptation here in Haiti where you are surrounded by great needs … the question that must be answered is “Why did God send us here?” When answered, we must be busy about the work that He has given us to do.

 

Fred really can’t hear the Lord because the world is speaking so loudly that the Lord’s voice has been drowned out. Never say “Yes” is his mantra. Now Bob doesn’t bother to listen for the Lord.  He heard Him once, that was enough for a lifetime of service.  He knows all about the great commission and the great commandment … so move out of the way .. there is the Lord’s work to do!  Never say “No” is his mantra.

 

We have been called to serve.  Fred is content but walking in disobedience.  Bob is headed for burnout and ministry projects that wither and die because the Lord was not in it.  The world already has a Savior and it’s not Bob.  What we should do is simple .. listen for God – How does He speak .. by the Spirit through a combination of prayer, the Word, circumstances and other believers. So “put your ears on good buddy” … and be prepared to do as the Lord leads. ELGIN

 

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)