Oswald is quick to point out that it is not our job to save souls (that is the work of the Holy Spirit)...but it is our job to point people to Jesus. -The missionary’s great essential is remaining true to the call of God, and realizing that his one and only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus.
We can't point anyone to Jesus unless we have a personal relationship with Him ourselves. So...how am I doing with that? I think it is important to do self-examinations of our walk with the Lord. I often think that my relationship with the Lord is not what it really could be, but I am trying to take steps in the right direction.
“Don’t rejoice in successful service— the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me” (see Luke 10:17-20).
So, I am not perfect...but am I walking with Him? Everyday? Not just a couple of times a week, when I finally have time to carve out of my busy schedule? OUCH! Sometimes, I must admit,that is what it amounts to. The other night at Bible study, an older man named Dennis got up to share how he has been journaling and praying every morning. He sets apart a specific time of the morning to do this. He said this not to brag, but to encourage us to do the same. He shares what a difference it has made in his daily walk with the Lord. I must admit, that I definitely see the Holy Spirit of God in this man's gentle and wise demeanor. He really is similar to my own father in that way. He is truly leaving a legacy to his children and grandchildren just like my own father did. I'd like to be this way too. I have so many excuses why it won't work for me. I think- "Sure it works for Dennis, he's a retired teacher. He probably has so much free time now that he's not getting up and ready to go to some high school every morning." I am not a morning person and I already must wake up at 5:30 AM and sometimes before then just to get where I am going that day. It has always been difficult for me in the morning. (Just don't try to have a real conversation with me for at least and hour and half!) When I get home in the afternoon...there is the cooking, interacting with the family, the cleaning up, the laundry, the evening's activities and then it is being so tired and going to bed and starting all over again. Did you ever feel like you are on just a daily rotation through life? I just don't think God intended us to be this busy with life so that we can't even get off the rotating merry-go-round of life to spend time with Him.
Do I have to get up at 4:30 AM? Readers, do you have something that works for you?
The challenge comes from the perspective of the missionary’s own personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28). Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every individual situation we encounter.
Also...if I truly believed that God would be so much more powerful in my life...that the Holy Spirit would become more real to me because of devoted prayer with Him...that He could touch other people's lives through mine, wouldn't I go out of my way to make time for Him? Wouldn't I?
Wouldn't you?
Photo: "You've Been Warned" by Robert Couse-Baker. Creative Commons Flickr
I often think of Dad and the example he left for us. I see him there int he patio room, seated in his rocker, feet on the hassock, Bible on his lap. He holds a cup of coffee between his hands, his eyes are closed, and he is reciting scripture...
ReplyDeleteI often think I want to be like him. He pointed others to Jesus, made everyone feel loved and special, and still had time for Jesus every day.
I haven't found the formula. I'm not an early morning person either, and the rest of the day easily overtakes my time. Perhaps that is why the scripture calls us to pray without ceasing, to meet with Him all day long.
I think you are right, Martha. Praying without ceasing is really the answer.
ReplyDeleteI have the same picture of Dad in my head.