"For we live by faith, not by sight" - 2 Corinthians 5:7
Some time back I was working in a home damaged by Hurricane Harvey, when a man from the Gas Company came by to turn the gas on. I was working by myself, as I have done on occasion, and he asked me where my help was. I told him that I was working alone that day and that was a segue for me to talk about Pathfinder Mission and God’s call to serve others. He was intrigued and asked more questions. I sensed by his expression and language he used that he was a Believer. Don’t know if you have experienced it, but the Spirit resonates between Believers. The spiritual connection is obvious but is unspoken and super-natural. He commented on the good thing we are doing and left by saying “God bless you in your work.”
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." - Ephesians 4:1-6
As Christians should not boast about the difficult situations that we find ourselves in, as if it is a badge of honor to be respected by men – but I also know that our lights reflecting Jesus will shine brightly as we walk through difficult situations by faith. Not long after that conversation, I was sitting in our travel trailer, which had been parked in a church parking lot for two years, listening to the Blue Angels roar over me (about 600 ft) – They took off from the airport the church was close to over and over again as they prepared for an air show the next weekend. My point?
Martie and I have lived like we do, like gypsies for Jesus, by choice. It is necessary to do what we do, all the while knowing that we could choose to do something else .. to live somewhere else, anytime. All we have to do is say "No"! to the Lord. But this is the thing – we love what we do and we are compelled by God’s call to serve others. That means we must be willing to abandon what many consider to be lives vital to their wellbeing. Paul wrote
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death ...” - Philippians 3:8-11
That is true for every Christian. What that looks like in each person’s life may be different. Martie and I are not wearing animal skins and eating locusts and honey, but in the view of many Americans we are not far from it. The point today is that I want to encourage you to make your faith the thing that shapes your life and your desires. Who you meet - where and how you live - what you dedicate your life to. One of our life verses is
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” - Psalm 37:4
That verse does not mean that God is some divine waiter – but when you make Him your first priority, He will change your heart and when He does that – what you want and think you need will also change. Sitting in a travel trailer might not be so bad, when He is all you need.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:11-13
I am not trying to IMpress (sic) you with our spirituality. What I am trying to do is EXpress (sic) the reality of God's sufficiency in this life for His children. No matter what circumstance you find yourself in - we are to be a people who Live by faith. What does God require of all of us who have been bought by the blood of Jesus and saved by faith? Love, devotion and obedience.
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly [by faith] with your God." - Micah 6:8
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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