Joy in The Moments of Now

I'd like to combine thoughts from two articles into one very important truth for us as believers.  Both articles are from the little magazine "Table Talk" put out by Ligonier Ministries and R.C. Sproul.  One of the articles is by Sproul called, "Dream a Little Dream".  And the other article is authored by Gloria Furman called, "Glorifying God in the Routines".  The first is premised by John Knox's prayer, "Give me Scotland or I die."  The second is about not discounting the mundanes as mundanes.

"We live in the mundane, and life-altering, dramatic moments are, by definition, extraordinary.  Whatever your normal is, I think we can all agree that that's where we live.  Even so, we long for significant work, unique callings, and uncommon opportunities.  It's tempting to view everyday life as a monotonous cycle of making your bed only to lie in it again.  Our perspective on the everyday business of our lives is important because when we forget about God's activity in the world, we become functionally hopeless.  What's the point of anything if "all is vanity"?  We hear Paul's instruction of "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" and we wonder how that squares with the "have-to's" of our everyday lives." (Furman)

"Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, warned us against worrying about the petty things of this world, the very things that tend to hold our attention--what we will eat, what we will wear.  We are inveterate worriers and insatiable spenders, which together mean that we tend to fret over funds.  Jesus calls us, however, not to worry over such things.  Our Father in heaven knows what we need, and He provides for us.  What we ought to be focused on is the kingdom of God, and His righteousness....  [In focusing on His righteousness, John Knox desired this focus for the citizens of Scotland to the point of his, "Give me Scotland or I die" statement.  This brings Sproul to the point of "dreaming big".]  We would be wise to learn to discern the difference between the brightness of our King's glory and the brightness of the spotlight.  There is a very thing line, one I suspect we all are tempted to dance along, between wanting to do great things for the kingdom and wanting to be great in the kingdom." (Sproul) [Dr. Sproul goes on to say that we go so far as to wondering if God would be pleased to use me the way He used Knox and believers five hundred years from now commemorating my life, and carving my likeness in marble?  He also reminds us of even Jesus own disciples arguing over their greatness in His kingdom.]

So, how do I bring these two articles together.  I believe it is the Christian's dilemma of balance and warfare with the righteousness of Christ living in them and their old sin nature and the Enemy of their souls.  We think our little lives of no consequence in the cause of Christ.  We worry over everything, both big and small, important and unimportant.  We always look for a future great work for God and neglect the joy of His working out every little detail in the moments of now.

Jesus is as much glorified in victory over the silent residual sin in our lives as He is in using us in the righteous conquest of a country.  It is, after all, the power of God in both situations.  Let us bask in that power, in that greatness with worship.  Whether or not one other person or the masses ever know of the victory, God has ordained it and it is good.  It is very good!!

Making Up Our Minds!

I love how I learn when I study to teach!  What a joy it continues to be for me, and what excitement it brings to my heart when God drives new thoughts home!  As I have many times before, I taught my little preschoolers this morning about Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  It was the story of their refusal to eat the king's choice food and how God blessed them for their obedience.

What I loved today, as I taught, was this simple phrase, "Daniel made up his mind...".  He made up his mind!  Oh, how we need to learn that truth on so many levels.  Just make up your mind.  I know we have to have our blessed Spirit to guide us and give us strength.  I know Jesus draws us to Himself.  I know God is The Power to do it.  And it is because I know these things that I must make up my mind not to sin.  I must make up my mind to follow Him, live for Him, speak about Him and think about Him all the time.  I must make up my mind daily, moment by moment.  May we all rejoice in this liberating thought!