Exodus 34:10-12
At once, Moses fell to the ground
and worshiped, saying, “Please, O Master, if you see anything good in
me, please Master, travel with us, hard-headed as these people are.
Forgive our iniquity and sin. Own us, possess us.”
And God said,
“As of right now, I’m making a covenant with you: In full sight of your
people I will work wonders that have never been created in all the
Earth, in any nation. Then all the people with whom you’re living will
see how tremendous God’s work is, the work I’ll do for you. Take careful
note of all I command you today.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
Someone recently shared a
thought-provoking article titled “An Atheist’s Open Letter to Those
Praying for His Son*.” The author and his wife have a baby boy who was
born prematurely at 27 weeks. This person does not ask Christians to
stop praying for him and his family – nor is there an unkind tone to his
message. However, he explains that he and his wife put their faith in
modern medicine…and that he believes the prayers offered for them and
their son help the person who utters them more than those for whom
intercession is made.
In part, the author suggests that
Christians should pray for those who already believe in God…that our
prayers are wasted on unbelievers. He suggests that instead, we donate
to medical research…that we reach out to someone who is in crisis and
offer a listening ear…that we volunteer with groups who help those in
need (and do so without an underlying agenda!)…and he asks that we do
these things rather than talk to a god who will do what he wants anyway.
Hear
what this man is saying with an open mind and heart. Do not judge
him. Instead, remember that how you react and respond to his comments
is crucial. Consider God’s words to Moses…and His directive for each of
us. God wants us to work as His agents…to be obedient to His
commands…to be good stewards of His blessings and gifts…and to validate
to others that His promises are real and steadfast – that His works are
extraordinary! And let’s be honest…a true Christian disciple will do
some – or all – of the things that this man has suggested…and pray,
also!
My point in sharing this article with you is to say that
God has called us to be His agents on this earth…to share His
“tremendous works” with others. And let’s not measure “tremendous” in
terms of physical magnitude. God doesn’t have to write on stone tablets,
appear in a burning bush, create a rainbow, or part a body of water in
order to show us Who He really is. We should be able to recognize
enough “signs and wonders” in our own life to fully acknowledge and
believe in His power and supremacy – and we should be able to demonstrate these to others.
The evidence is all around us…from modern advances in technology and
medicine to the inexplicable Supernatural strength that He offers when
we are sick or suffering in some manner.
Our prayers for someone
who does not believe in God are important…but our actions – and
reactions – might be even more critical! It’s a demonstration of our
faith – and our obedience. God has given you gifts and a mission. He
sent Jesus to die for your sins and free you of their burden, so that
you could concentrate on discipleship rather than ritual and worry over
continual atonement. And our most important “mission” might just be to
share His love and acceptance with others…even those who do not believe
that He exists.
When others look at you, do they see someone who
operates in an inexplicable faith…who loves others without judgment and
depends upon God to be the Author and Finisher of every aspect of
his/her life? Or do they see someone who wears their Christian faith
like a badge of superiority…who criticizes and judges anyone who dares
to disagree with them on anything – no matter how large or small? Do
others look at you and say, “I want what he/she has!”…or do you live in a
way that reinforces any negative sentiments they may associate with
Christian faith – or with God Himself?
How deep is your
faith…and how profound is your demonstration of confidence and hope in
God’s promises? When others look at you, what…and WHO – do they see?
Isn’t it time you answered this question, once and for all?
©2015 Debbie Robus
* http://www.atheistrepublic.com/blog/kevin-davis/atheist-s-open-letter-those-praying-his-son
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