I believe sometimes God uses the lives of other people to get our attention on certain issues. The words they say, the things they do and the things they "don't do". I believe that God wants His children to be noticed...not in such a way to bring glory to themselves, but in such a way that brings glory to Him. Last night I noticed a few of his children. I noticed them in such a way that only God could be given credit for and in such a way that left me challenged; challenged to evaluate my attitude towards the season of life I am in right now.
It's easy to look at the season we are in and focus on all that isn't perfect. It's easy for me to focus on all that is hard about answering to this call and all the goodbyes that are just around the corner. Yet last night my eyes were opened so much wider to the peace that is available to me through Christ. We were invited to a bible study in town. As I sat in this man's house, who has been fighting cancer and watched as he had people of all ages gathered around very eager to hear what he had to say, I realized that this was like no bible study I have ever been to. He spoke in such a way that the very young and the old could clearly understand. And he spoke about his illness, his reason's for wanting to live and his reason's for praising God no matter the outcome. We live in a watching world and he is being noticed. His attitude towards all the possibilities is being noticed. His leaning on God's word, his wife's asking not just for the prayers of men but for the prayers of small children, his children reaching out to the broken hearted while they are praying for a miracle for their dad. People are watching...and what are their attitudes? "We will praise His name."
Wow....and so God began to speak to me. What has my attitude been towards the possibility of saying goodbye to friends and family here for a season of life? What has my attitude been towards dying to self so that He may live in me and through me to help suffering children and glorify His name? Am I praising His name so that this watching world might ask..."where does her joy come from?" I submitted to His will and I prayed those words, "Whatever you want Lord". Has my heart truly reflected that prayer? Have I found joy and honor in the Lord choosing to use me to be a part of another child rescued and another soul finding hope in Christ?
So I will ask God to help me overcome my negative thoughts and focus on all that He has given me and praise His name for allowing me to be a part of His wonderful plan in building His kingdom! And I will thank Him for allowing me to "notice" an amazing testimony of faith in this man and his family.
And so this man's name is Kevin. If you would...would you say a prayer for him tonight? Tomorrow he will find out if the treatments he has undergone has cured him or if the cancer remains. His prayer is that the Lord would be glorified no matter the outcome...of course we want the Lord to be glorified through his miraculous healing! God's will be done! Thank you...and I will keep you posted.
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