I'm not much on Christian television. I find most of the religious TV programs worse than offensive. The very things that makes TV work - being bland, inoffensive, appealing to the widest audience, promising immediate gratification - are things that are incompatible with Biblical Christianity. The message of Jesus is one that challenges us, pierces us to the heart, and demands real change for our whole lifetime. Becoming a mature, effective, Spirit-filled Christian isn't accomplished in 3 easy steps, outlined by a preacher who proclaims, through the tears in her mascara, how God raised her up from the trailer park to a mansion. Following Christ is a life-long commitment, worked out in close community, through good and bad months; in moments of tremendous joy and heart-crushing sorrow; on the mountain top and deep in the dark valley.
But we Americans aren't much for process, are we? Phil Cooke, in an article in the June, 2006 issue of Charisma, writes: "We've created a generation of Christians who look for a magic bullet. That's why people travel thousands of miles, from conference to conference, just to 'get a word,' find 'fresh oil,' get 'the glory,' or 'catch the blessing.' ... After WW2, we experienced a time of real miracles in this country. We had amazing prefab houses, miracle drugs, fast food, and space-age appliances - instant satisfaction was everywhere. It changed everything. ... 50 years later we are still addicted to the feeling." We like quick fixes. Want to become a happy Believer? Tune into your favorite TV evangelist and order his 'gimmick,' - miracle seeds, prayer clothes, holy oil, vials of water from Jerusalem - and instantly life will be easier and better. No discipline is involved, just a credit card to place the order. How can we be so gullible?
"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; ... those who wait on the Lord, They shall inherit the earth. " (Psalm 37:7, 9 NKJV) That work, "patiently," in the Hebrew text of the Psalms is a word that has the connotation of writhing in pain, like a woman in childbirth! What an appropriate image for the Believer's experience. New life is being birthed in us by the Spirit's work. As the new man emerges, there will be times when we simply have to go through the pain. We won't be able to sidestep it, to go over it, or avoid it. It's just part of the process. Are you irritated by that statement? Do you think that I've become some masochistic kind of person who seeks pain for it's own sake? Think again. I hate pain and tears and conflict. I'd like nothing better than to live in perpetual happiness. But, the call of Christ on my life is to faithfulness, not happiness!
Of course there is joy, and truthfully, there is a lot of joy in my life. But, the times of growth, when my character is being shaped to be Christ-like, often involve sorrow and/or pain. It will be true for you, too, Believer friend. That is why the Scripture says,
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.
When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed!
So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training," (Hebrews 12:2-7, The Message)
There's a goal - to be like Jesus!
There's a home - in the Eternal Presence of God.
There's a reward - the commendation of the Lord of Life!
Keep those things in mind, all the time. Then engage with the struggle, dig in. Commit yourself to making a real Kingdom difference, not just to carving out a spot of greater ease or comfort for yourself. It will be worth it all - when we see Jesus!
_________________________
Jesus, what can I give,
What can I bring to so faithful a friend,
To so loving a King? Savior, what can be said,
What can be sung as a praise of Your name
For the things You have done?
Oh, my words could not tell, Not even in part,
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart.
I will offer up my life in spirit and truth,
Pouring out the oil of love as my worship to You.
In surrender I must give my ev'ry part;
Lord, receive the sacrifice of a broken heart.
You deserve my every breath for You've paid the great cost.
Giving up Your life to death, Even death on a cross.
You took all my shame away, There defeated my sin,
Opened up the gates of heaven, And have beckoned me in.
© 1994 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
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