The world we live in is full of difficulties and disappointments. Mom gets cancer. The person who heads the company makes an ill-advised decision that bankrupts it and costs us our job. Weeds grow in the lawn even in drought. It’s easy to get flabby and out of shape, hard to stay healthy and fit. The curse of sin is much in evidence! But, I am not in despair over it all. I have found the secret that motivates me to swim against the current, to work for a brighter day, to live purposefully where others may want to surrender to fate.
The late Ray Stedman, writing on the text I’m about to quote, said that one of the marks of the authentic Christian is his unquenchable optimism born of faith that makes it’s foundation the eternal promises of Christ Jesus. "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." (2 Corinthians 2:14-17, NIV)
“Thanks be to God, who always leads us.” Could there be greater reason for hope than that? Don’t misunderstand. An authentic Christian does not avoid dealing with reality, does not pretend that all is well. He sees the pain and suffering that sin and Satan stir up all around with injustice, disease, hatred, prejudice, greed and such things. And, he looks higher to see the hand of God working in his life and through his life. He is thankful, in faith, that God can transform even the most painful circumstances and use them to produce a Kingdom result.
Paul and Silas set a girl free from slavery to an evil spirit in Philippi. For their kindness, they were beaten, thrown into stocks in the inner dungeon, and left to groan. But, they sang instead, not silly songs that were meant to distract them from their plight, but hymns of thanksgiving to God that they trusted to work to make His plan known! And, the earth shook, the doors came open, the jailor was converted, becoming one of the founders of the church in that city. (Acts 16) That’s authentic Christianity that knows unquenchable optimism rooted in faith in the Lord.
What circumstance frustrates you today?
Is there someone who is resisting the purpose of God and trying to make you miserable?
Does the future look bleak?
Make the choice of an authentic Christian. Have faith in God! Sing a song that strengthens your hope in Him. Give up your need to define how the future must look and let Him lead you to a place unimaginable in human understanding. "No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it— What God has arranged for those who love him. But you’ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you. The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along." (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, The Message) That is the place from which the authentic Christian gets his unquenchable optimism.
(Tomorrow – the second mark of the authentic Christian)
__________________________
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide,
Hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength
For each new day,
He will make a way,
He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me,
And rivers in the desert will I see.
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain,
He will do something new today.
God Will Make A Way
Moen, Don
© 1990 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
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