4 x 6 Plan | Read: Luke 14:25-35 & Hebrews 6:1-20
Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. (Hebrews 6:11)
I know of several C3ers that are going through really tough times right now. My daughter was in for Labor Day weekend and I was sharing one of their stories and what they are going through. It’s so tough that Teegan, my daughter, actually said, “What do you even say to someone going through that?”
Following Jesus is not without tough times. In the Old Testament, God’s people wandered the desert for 40 years then fought battle after battle as they tried to protect their land from invaders. In the New Testament, God’s Son hangs on a cross, church leaders are thrown in jail and others are killed for their faith. The Bible is full of examples in which the lives of God’s people are difficult.
Anyone of faith for any length of time has been through a season when God seemed far away. So what is the point? Why persist in our faith if it doesn’t make our problems go away? The reason is simple: The point when we feel the most inadequate is the point at which we are most dependent on God.
When following God is simple, easy and clear, we have little temptation to give up. Our obedience makes perfect sense. But when we persevere through confusion, doubt and pain, we demonstrate something unique to those around us and offer something of great value to God — our humble submission.
If you’re not dead, God is not done. Don’t quit just before the miracle. When we feel like there is no reason to press on in the Christian life, but we choose to stay faithful in spite of our feelings, God can use us in amazing ways.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
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