Most of us live in such relative ease. Yes, there are pressures and the ravages of sin that invade our lives. But other than illness, most of us have never had to fight for our very lives: For shelter from the elements, for our next meal or adequate clothing, for safety from people who want to kill us because we're an enemy due to culture or faith. And in all this we often only long for more ease, a better address, and more food. Fast! Now! Super-sized! We chase the latest fashions as if our "lives” depend on them, instead of just our pride. And all around the world - and in the US as well - people are fighting, and fleeing, and festering in places where they have no hope. No hope of physical safety. No hope of emotional safety. No hope of spiritual safety.
As Christians the word tells us that we have everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pet.1:3) Do we believe that? Even in our country most of us have such room to breath - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But often all we want is more air for ourselves; more ease for ourselves. More, more, more! Do we let God's riches fill our every need? Really soak them in and allow them to satiate us with wonder, thankfulness, and a deep satisfaction of heart, mind, and soul? Do we let His truth define our need? Or do we surround ourselves with people and props and playthings so that we can somehow declare "I don't need you God! All these things are filling me. And, by the way, can I have more?”
In Christ we have been set free from the bondage of sin, and we are heirs with Him of all the riches of heaven. This is amazing! It is not “blah, blah, blah.” It is amazing! It is enough! It is all we need! Everything else of blessing is ‘gravy’.
Filled with this knowledge and literally filled with Your life, send us out, Lord! Let us be willing to be sent, to give ourselves away, to be broken, to be poured out. Help us to live lives that ease suffering and despair; that “preach good news to the poor…proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind (and) release the oppressed” (Luke 4:18). Let us “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrew 12:1)
Lord, You promise to fill us with everything we need for body and soul. Will you also fill our hearts with love and gratitude and grace enough to overflow through our lives and our prayers upon a weary world. We need more of You. Not to hoard for ourselves as we huddle in heavenly entitlement, but to ease pain, to lift up, to breath hope into lives far and near.
Will You start with me?
