Sunday, February 22, 2009

On Pride and Growing Weary Part II

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:7-10


The second comforting thing that was revealed was God's, through Paul, exhortation to not become weary and lose heart in doing good. The amazing thing was that this very verse came to my mind so strongly yesterday as I was having tea with a friend, who shall not be named :P, as we were talking (or lamenting rather) about the state of the church today and of an organization, that shall also remain nameless. Serving in church has not transpired to be the smooth or easy thing that I, in my naivety, had thought it would be. I had thought that after the tumult of the last few months serving in the aforementioned nameless organization, serving in church would seem mild in comparison. Alas, a different environment brings with it a whole load of different and not-so-different issues and problems.

But even as we shared of difficulties in both organizations, there was a growing realization in me that very often God works in ways that boggles human wisdom.

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.
27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”

- 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

- Isaiah 55: 8-9


Do not grow weary in serving Him, for He knows the secret things of the heart and He sees what Man cannot see. So often I am tempted to simply want to give up when it seems like nobody is listening or when God seems to be treated so churlishly by those who claim to know Him. I mean, how can you treat the Creator of the UNIVERSE like He is some poor, weak beggar who could really use your help or else He won't be able to get anything done. Or treat Him as a little accessory that you add, like the cherry on top of a cake, to your life and simply ignore Him when His Word and Commandments conflict with your lifestyle or culture, while still claiming to KNOW Him. I would be a hypocrite if I do not also add that this is something that is also a constant struggle in my life, in casting aside all things and to simply fall onto the Rock, which is Christ.

But it pains me greatly to see others around me who could simply care less about the things of God, and that it does not bother them that Christ is not supremely, infinitely valuable to them. Added to the fact that I am a person of impatient disposition, one often loses hope in there every being a genuine move of God through one's church. But yet God promises good to those whom He loves and His promises never fail. Looking back at my life, I see circumstances and decisions that one can only lift up one's hands and say "It is the Lord's doing." Throughout all the days of my life, He has not ceased to do all things to draw me to Himself, regardless of how stubbornly I would run away and hide from Him. How then can I not praise Him and attest to His Goodness? How can I remain despondent and without hope when He works all things for His good pleasure and for our good. For He is Sovereign over all and

"For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

- Daniel 4: 34b-35

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