Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of this Good
News about Christ. It is God’s powerful method of bringing all who
believe it to heaven. This message was preached first to the Jews alone,
but now everyone is invited to come to God in this same way. This Good
News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven—makes us right in God’s
sight—when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is
accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says it,
“The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.”
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
A dear friend of mined
recently posed two questions on Facebook that were intended to spark a
conversation…”When it's all said and done...what is the meaning of life?
What is the purpose of living?” One person replied…”One of my
questions is…why is Jesus delaying his return? This world is a big
mess.” This is a valid question. And I believe we find at least part
of the answer in this passage from the first chapter of Romans.
In
my opinion, our job is not to question why Jesus is taking so long…or
even why “bad things happen to good people”. Will the answers really
make us feel any better or change what is happening? I believe the more
important question to ask is, “What would You have me do with this,
LORD?”…and then we must trust His answer.
I know people who have
endured unspeakable challenges…and done so without complaining. They
have exhibited amazing calm and peace…incredible grace and courage.
They have trusted God…and He has sustained them. I’ve even heard others
ask of them, “How can you be so calm and collected?” Let me assure
you, these people may be crushed on the inside. They may be hurting
deeply - and crying out to God for His wisdom and comfort when no one
else is around. But they are also trusting God to answer. And they are
finding life – and its true meaning – in the process. My answer to my
friend’s question would have to be, at least in part, that we are living
to love and serve Christ…to further God’s kingdom and fulfill His plans
– and this includes any and all “bumps in the road”.
We need
look no further than the life of Jesus Christ…His torture, crucifixion,
death and resurrection…to see that “bad things happen” to even the most
Perfect One. So this cannot be our crutch or excuse. Clearly our faith
in God sustains us – and makes us right with Him. I’m ready to go “full
in” with God – to trust Him completely. I’ve seen evidence in my own
life of how He is always with me…how God handles EVERYTHING when I calm
down and let Him have control.
I am learning to find joy, peace
and contentment in any situation through my faith and trust in God. I
know that He is “making ready” my place in Heaven…and my job is to
patiently and faithfully serve Him on this earth until He calls for me.
What about you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label why are we here. Show all posts
Showing posts with label why are we here. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for March 4, 2015
John 17:1-5
When Jesus had finished saying all these things he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Reveal the glory of your Son so that he can give the glory back to you. For you have given him authority over every man and woman in all the earth. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—by knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth! I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to. And now, Father, reveal my glory as I stand in your presence, the glory we shared before the world began.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My Mam-ma Polly used to say, “I don’t know why I’m living so long.” I would remind her that God had work for her to do – and when that work was finished, He would have her “room” ready. We agreed that her “purpose” might not be clear a lot of the time…especially as her physical body declined and she lost her ability to speak. But she could still smile…she could still pray…she could demonstrate a spirit of courage, determination, and perseverance. She could still represent God to countless people in her midst…and she did so to her dying breath.
As I look back through prayer journals, I see numerous entries where I asked God, “Can’t she come Home yet?” I always added that I wanted HIS will in this…not mine. But haven’t you known of people and situations where you asked God, “Why are they still here? What is the point of their suffering and hardship?” And in this passage, we are able to get a handle on the answer.
God sends each of us to earth for a purpose…much like He sent Jesus. When our work on His behalf is done, He will call us Home. If we have given our heart to Jesus, this will mean Eternity in Heaven. Meanwhile, God is with us. We are His vessels on earth for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ – for demonstrating love, grace, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, acceptance, humility, courage and encouragement…and so much more.
Until God determines that our “work” is done…that we have fulfilled our purpose…He will keep us here. I also believe that God gives unbelievers every chance to turn to Jesus and fulfill their purpose…that He is present and patient with ALL of us…to a point. Let’s be honest…no one has ever suffered more on this earth than Jesus did. Understanding that God is with us through everything – and that He has a perfect plan and timetable for each of us – has helped me to answer the question, “Why is he/she living so long – or suffering so much?” Understand that God does not cause the suffering and hardships…but He sometimes allows them for a greater outcome…and He NEVER leaves us – not even for a single minute.
Search your heart this day and see if you understand your purpose…the “What on earth am I hear for?” question. Ask yourself, “Am I aware of God’s presence in my life in every circumstance…and am I busy doing the work He designed for me?” When we learn to surrender to God’s “rhythms and reasons”, we truly begin to give the glory back to Him – and to prepare for our Heavenly destination. Do you feel God’s presence today? Are you patiently “doing the work” He has set out for you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
When Jesus had finished saying all these things he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Reveal the glory of your Son so that he can give the glory back to you. For you have given him authority over every man and woman in all the earth. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—by knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth! I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to. And now, Father, reveal my glory as I stand in your presence, the glory we shared before the world began.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My Mam-ma Polly used to say, “I don’t know why I’m living so long.” I would remind her that God had work for her to do – and when that work was finished, He would have her “room” ready. We agreed that her “purpose” might not be clear a lot of the time…especially as her physical body declined and she lost her ability to speak. But she could still smile…she could still pray…she could demonstrate a spirit of courage, determination, and perseverance. She could still represent God to countless people in her midst…and she did so to her dying breath.
As I look back through prayer journals, I see numerous entries where I asked God, “Can’t she come Home yet?” I always added that I wanted HIS will in this…not mine. But haven’t you known of people and situations where you asked God, “Why are they still here? What is the point of their suffering and hardship?” And in this passage, we are able to get a handle on the answer.
God sends each of us to earth for a purpose…much like He sent Jesus. When our work on His behalf is done, He will call us Home. If we have given our heart to Jesus, this will mean Eternity in Heaven. Meanwhile, God is with us. We are His vessels on earth for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ – for demonstrating love, grace, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, acceptance, humility, courage and encouragement…and so much more.
Until God determines that our “work” is done…that we have fulfilled our purpose…He will keep us here. I also believe that God gives unbelievers every chance to turn to Jesus and fulfill their purpose…that He is present and patient with ALL of us…to a point. Let’s be honest…no one has ever suffered more on this earth than Jesus did. Understanding that God is with us through everything – and that He has a perfect plan and timetable for each of us – has helped me to answer the question, “Why is he/she living so long – or suffering so much?” Understand that God does not cause the suffering and hardships…but He sometimes allows them for a greater outcome…and He NEVER leaves us – not even for a single minute.
Search your heart this day and see if you understand your purpose…the “What on earth am I hear for?” question. Ask yourself, “Am I aware of God’s presence in my life in every circumstance…and am I busy doing the work He designed for me?” When we learn to surrender to God’s “rhythms and reasons”, we truly begin to give the glory back to Him – and to prepare for our Heavenly destination. Do you feel God’s presence today? Are you patiently “doing the work” He has set out for you? Isn’t it time you did?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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