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Thursday, October 14, 2010

May I?

The main question of Mark Davis' sermon last night was that we often do things for the Lord out of a sense of obligation, but when was the last time you did something just because you love Jesus?  When was the last time I parented out of a simple, burning love for Christ?  Or visited someone?  Or ministered to someone?

June Hanks, our good friend who has taken a leave of absence from UTC to minister to those in Haiti, expressed her greatest desire: that she would "ooze Jesus" to the people of Haiti.  Jesus is the hope for the devastated land of Haiti.  And June knows that, and knows that while the prostheses and physical therapy she offers to wounded Haitians is helpful, it is not the solution to the deepest needs of that country.  It's Jesus.  Only he can heal Haiti.

Mark asked another question: for fear of legalism, are we often lazy and undisciplined?  I don't know that I'm afraid of legalism.  I think I'm just lazy and undisciplined.  I don't make the most of every opportunity I'm given, and I am not doing everything I can with everything I have to impact the world for Christ.  I want to do it, but it is easier to think about doing so many things later, not today.  Such thinking never gets around to accomplishing anything for the kingdom of God.

But don't hear this as a condemnation.  It's not.

The thing is, that kind of passion is birthed out of really seeing Christ.  Seeking him, finding him.  It starts with a prayer: Lord, open my eyes so I can really see you.  Because if I really see you, it will be the delight of my heart to serve you in any way, at any time.

It also generally continues in the word of God.  Psalm 145:4-5: "One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.  They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works."   God's works, his grace, his might, are all poured out on the pages of Scripture.  And when I meditate on these works, I see Jesus.


Have you ever heard of Marilyn Laszlo?  She was a young girl growing up in Indiana when she sensed a call to go to be a missionary.  She studied linguistics and went to Papua New Guinea to translate Scripture into a language that did not have Scripture.  She did.  You can read about her ministry here.  The coolest part of the story was that after she learned the language, and developed a grammar, and translated Scripture into their language, and sent it off, the moment came when the boxes of new Bibles were being transported by canoe down the river to the tribe.  And at that moment, the chant began: "Here comes the Word of God!  Here comes the Word of God!"  Do I approach Scripture with that kind of hope, passion, anticipation?  Here comes the Word of God, exactly what I need to hear!  Here comes my chance this morning to be transformed by Christ!

My heart must be affected.  As Jonathan Edwards noted, affection causes activity.  I will do what I'm passionate about.  My desires will generally determine the shape of my day--or at least my attitude about what that day holds.  Lord, shape my heart by your word.  Make me a mom who is controlled by your Spirit.

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