Oh how the Father loves.. so much that He's willing to forgive countless times if it means winning us over. My heart feels sometimes, that it's on the verge of explosion. On part because of my internal struggles, and because I feel His furious love and glory working in the world and in my heart. My life is so insignificant, yet God looks upon me and guides me. My mind replays the lyrics of How He Loves, and a particular version sung by a friend of mine. His love is as furious and strong as a hurricane, and I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy. His wind being those tests he lets into my life, to help me grow and refine me; to strengthen me. And without His mercy I would fail, and fall into darkness.
Prayer class emphasized a verse on the need for workers for God's Kingdom, "He said to His disciples, 'the harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into his fields." Matt 9:37-38
In my mind, the fields are the world and there will be a final harvest, when Christ comes back. But the emphasis that the workers are few often led me to think, to wish, that more people could be saved for Christ. Now that is a wonderful desire, but that's not exactly what this verse is telling us to ask of our Lord... We need more workers to send into the field, but there are many people who proclaim to be Christian, but are not living to their full potential to serve God... Being a Christian isn't just about following the commandments and things in our world, but being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and what God is doing in the world. He invites us to be a part of HIS work, not for Him to be included in our small little world. We need a revival in our lives to leave the selfish part of us behind, take up our cross and follow God where He directs. Following Him opens so many doors, so much joy. There is pain and suffering... but life will always have that. So we endure to the end, keeping our eyes on Christ. Looking to produce good fruit in our lives to we can be a good witness to those around us... So they can see Christ before they see the kind of person I am.
I want to serve God, and I know although I feel broken, severely inadequate, and sad on many days, He is bigger than my problems and at the end of the day I want to thank Him for all my blessings because over all my life, all my memories and experiences, at the end of the day, I've still only done my duty (Luke 17:10).
What does it mean to take u our cross and follow Jesus, to be a worker in His field for His kingdom?
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Rom 12:2
We need to realize not only our duty, which is an amazing privilege, but also our worth in God's eyes, "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." Eph 2:10 But not to be discouraged when things don't seem to work out our way because.. "God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work form beginning to end." Eccl 3:11.
We can be encouraged though that God is always at work around us, and have joy in the gifts He's given us to help in completion of the good works He has for us. We can be encouraged by His love, and so share His love with those around us. "But don't just pretend to love others, really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically." Rom 12:9-11 now the rest of the chapter is fantastic too, but just emphasis here. Because Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8) and allows us to have Joy in almost any circumstance. Love is one of the fruits we need to produce as a follower of Christ, as well as patience, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
I pray we can all search to have a deepening relationship with Abba, our Father who wants us to grow into His beautiful creation, and keeping our eyes heaven-bound is the best, most rewarding way to do it.
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