Some days the dots connect quickly and with such precision that I have no doubt the Lord ordered the steps. Other days, I expend a good bit of energy seeking the threads that tie all the pieces together.
No matter what, however, I can always find the Father’s work as long as I remain hyper vigilant in my effort to seek Him out. You’ve experienced that too, I’m sure.
For me, it gets tricky when it’s time to determine how He wants me to contribute (or not contribute) to the work.
My nature is to jump in and start moving the process forward. Hard work doesn’t frighten me. And long hours? No problem, I’m ready.
Hold up, wait, listen, learn, wait some more — ugh, I’m not so good in those moments.
In fact, I could easily convince myself that spiritual multitasking is the way to go. You know, jumping in and “helping” the effort with our preferred next steps while “seeking” the Lord’s guidance on how to proceed.
And while much of what we do each day needs proper attention and continued care, some rituals and routines are self-imposed and not essential.
Chaos and confusion
It also is becoming clear that it’s God’s people who are as much to blame as anyone for the chaos, division, confusion, disunity and extreme brokenness we are experiencing in society.
We know the one, true God, so we should understand how to seek Him and His direction for every movement of our lives through prayer and meditation on His word.
We have gathered in our faith communities for generations, so we should be well trained in how to demonstrate compassion, grace and love while standing on the Truth.
We claim God is all powerful, on His throne and has our backs, so we should be able to avoid fear and stand strong with the meekness Jesus calls “blessed” in Matthew 5:5.
Meekness is a humble, gentle and patient kind of strength that illuminates His light from our faces, attitudes and daily lives.
Imbalance
Chris Turner, director of communications for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, wrote recently that he’s “troubled by the imbalance of Christians too often being far more salt than light (see Matt. 5:13–16).”
“I wonder where our society would be if we’d given as much fervor to gospel proclamation and humble service as we have to political posturing,” he said in the editorial published in a recent edition of the Baptist and Reflector.
“In the context of 2 Chronicles 6 and 7, the nation was not broken because of the pagans. The nation was broken because God’s people were acting like pagans,” Turner wrote.
“There’s a lesson here. May God’s people today turn from political idol worship, contempt for people who don’t look like us, love of money and power, and from religious legalism.”
It’s also important to remember that the often quoted “if my people” passage is solely focused on those who know God, not unbelievers.
