“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
I was working on a home during the Hurricane Harvey home some time ago, when the man from the Gas Company came to turn the gas on. I was working by myself, as I do 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 could tell by his expression and language 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.”
Listen – we are not to revel in difficult situations that we find ourselves in – but I was reminded that our light will shine brightly when we walk through difficult situations by faith. I was sitting in our travel trailer not long after listening to the Blue Angels roar over me – over and over again as they prepared for the air show the next weekend. Frankly I yearned for quiet. Fortunately we have a friend here who opened her home to us – when we need it – and Martie and I reveled in the quiet of her home last night. But … there I was the next morning, writing a devotion and preparing for another day of restoration – this time with a good friend to help me.
Martie and I have lived like we do by choice for the past 20 years. What we do for others is important, but we could choose to do something else .. to live somewhere else. To not listen to jets buzzing our trailer or living apart from our family. But this is the thing – we are compelled by God’s call to serve others. That means we must be willing to abandon what many consider a lifestyle that is vital to their wellbeing.
That is true for every Christian. But what that looks like in each person’s life may be different. We 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. One of our life verses is Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
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 if He is all you need.
I recall having a conversation with an unbelieving friend in Waveland, Mississippi in 2010. We had been doing disaster recovery work for the past 5 years in Waveland when God called us to Haiti. Our friend had been to Haiti - we had not - and when I told him we were going there he looked me in the eyes and said "Are you crazy!" knowing how difficult it would be. To which I responded - "It wasn't our idea, it's God's!" That was not false bravado but trust that where God guides, God provides.
A pastor in a church in Manhattan Kansas said - for most of us we don't realize that Jesus is all we need until Jesus is all we have! And so, Martie and I stand in agreement with Paul when he wrote ....
“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
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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