Lessons

I am slowly making my way through John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life.  For a while it was a little too heavy, but I have read enough that it has helped me get in touch with some of the most "spiritual" aspects of the Christian life.  It is funny how I heard the same words all through my life, but then they can just jump off the page at some point. 

There a numerous places in the Bible that talk about putting the old life behind and emptying ourselve of us, so we might live for Christ.  We Americans don't like to hear it, but picking up a Cross and following Jesus can be difficult rather than comfortable.  It can be completely unfair.  Sometimes, you will just not understand what is going on.  However, each one of us was created for a purpose, and I don't think it is possible for us to fully realize that purpose as long as we hold on to the things that WE want.

Right now I am particlarly struck by this verse:  "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."   I think we really have to face weakness, so we can give up the ridiculous notion that we have control in our lives.  The truth is that in one moment all our strength can evaporate.

Most of you know that Kelli and I are part of a group of people working to begin an orphan ministry at our church.  We are so happy about this opportunity to fulfill the purpose that God has for us.  One of the key verses that points to this purpose is James 1:27:  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  To us, that is a pretty striking and clear statement of purpose from God to all people.  I used to wonder about the last part concerning keeping ourselves unpolluted by the world.  I mean it makes sense, but what does it have to do with the caring for widows and orphans.  I am beginning to understand that as long as we value the things that the world offers, the harder it will be for us to serve widows and orphans - and God.

It is very exciting to believe that we are finding God's purpose for our lives.  It is also a little crazy to realize that I have been wrong my whole life thinking that I had to do "strong" things for God.  The truth is I am weak, really weak.  It is God who is strong.  There is nothing that I have to do other than to say, "Yes!" to God's calling.  The rest is in God's hands to meet me at my weakness and provide the strength I need.  That is a relationship that fills me up!