Some revelation that is probably obvious to others…
I have recently been thinking about my relationship with the Lord and how it focused mainly on me. The things that I am going through, the things that I am worried about, etc. I don’t necessarily think that’s bad. For we are to “cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us.” – “His Yoke is easy, His burden light”. But, when I am saying self centered I mean I was thinking in a way that felt like everything about those issues I took to Him, were about me only. It’s hard to explain…but, kind of like God would answer or not answer and shift the world around on my behalf. Honestly, I think He has altered the world for me…even though that may be incorrect thinking.
The crux of what I am saying lies in “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Love your enemies”. I could see the first one, how it is important…but, love my enemies? Then, as everyone else in the world probably already knows, I realized that God loves my enemies. He loves the murderer. He loves the thief. He loves however many people have been involved in stealing stuff from me since we’ve moved here. He would prefer that “none be lost, no not one”. Lost sheep is how he refers to them I believe. I had thought that meant believers that are wandering off…while I still do to an extent, I really think it’s more encompassing than that. It’s not the Lords desire that ONLY the believers be His. But, ALL should come.
Luke 15:3-10
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Seriously, what was I thinking??!!??! This sort of came to light in a weird way. I have been in a bad situation for a little while and was praying for God’s hand in it. I felt compelled to pray for this person in light of the “praying for my enemies” verse. The kind of hard part was that this person was also a believer. Honestly, not knowing what to pray for him or about him or me, but just kinda saying, “Lord, this dude…amen” Then, it appeared that in answering my baffling and empty worded prayer, he found a way to bring His goodness to BOTH of us. Are you kidding me??? The dude loves Him. Yes, He loves the “dude” too. So, apparently, Jesus doesn’t only work things for good for those that love Him for one side of it only. Man, GOD IS AMAZING.
Lord, I am sorry to have been so elementary in my faith…so selfish. Thank You for teaching me, thank You for Your patience, thank You for Your love.
2 comments:
This dude... amen! Heeheehee! :P
I found your blog from Meggy Taggart's blog. I found the link to her blog on Facebook. I sort-of feel like I've never really gotten know you, your wife or the kids, and I wish I knew more. Ya'lls blog really helps with that (yes, I said ya'll). It seems like we all have so much in common.
I too have had the revelation that you speak of in your blog. For me, it came at a time when my husband said I was too kind, forgiving and accepting of people and that I should put my guard up more. He gently tried to explain that not everyone lives their life as God would want them to, and that I have to be wary of those people (namely the thieves and people who are dishonest). My response came naturally; "God loves EVERYONE, even those that stray from his path so why should I be any different." Without hesitation I had said EVERYONE. I began to think...who is everyone? Is it the murderer sitting on death row, the rapist? That's when I realized that God does love EVERYONE. He loves the person, not the sin. We as Christians must love all, but not tolerate sinful lifestyles or choices.
Remember John 3:16-19.
John 3:16-19
16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
It seems to me that this dude, who you say is a believer, may have strayed from God's path for a while...he for whatever reason most likely let God slip from his heart. Your prayer probably gave him the strength to accept God again. Thank you for having faith in God and that dude. Thank you for having the courage and strength to pray from him. Never forget that without Him, people will lose their way. May He bless you both and may that dude not let God slip from his heart again!!
Post a Comment