In Spite of the Storm

In my prayer time today, I was over in Philippians again, this time in 1:27-30. I'll break it up a little bit:

"Whatever happens..." Expect the unexpected. ANYthing could happen at any time, so WHATEVER happens...

"Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." How often in a day's time am I tempted to laugh at a snide or disparaging remark one friend makes about another? Or to click "Like" on something that isn't super clean that a friend tags me on? Or pretend that all is well with my inner heart when it's being racked by doubts? Are my actions and reactions worthy of the gospel of Christ?

"Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Unified, as one, with a common goal, a single purpose. Hard to do in this incredibly divided society, and in this time when it seems that even people in the church are drawing their lines in the sand. But nevertheless, still a commandment from the Lord: "Let them be one as we are one" (John 17:21).

"This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved - and that by God." Am I tiptoeing in my witness? The truth, while speaking it in love, still needs to be spoken so that people can make a choice. On the last day, will I be guilty of being too quiet, of not making waves? "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood'" (Ezekiel 33:6).

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." We get to suffer for Him. It's a gift. What a perspective shift from what I used to have! Dread, deep dread of suffering for Christ. As the Lord has worked in me, though, this verse has become thematic in my life: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).

I can't say I'm not afraid, ever. I'm overwhelmed with it sometimes. But Jesus never tires to stepping forward and pulling me out of the ocean when my fears wash over me. Always, He lifts me up, gives me a firm place to stand, and fills my heart with praise and thankfulness, in spite of the storm.

The news this morning was chock-full of things that made me sad. Our nation and the world is in so much pain. As I was praying specifically in reference to these events - the outcome of the Breonna Taylor trial, the SCOTUS nomination, and other national stories, I saw an enormous boulder slam into the ground in the middle of a city, and cracks spread rapidly outward on the pavement from where the boulder had landed. The pavement was light-colored, like cement, but the cracks were black inside, and I understood that to mean moral decay, the filth that had been a foundation of this city for a long time.

 
What do we do with that, Lord? I've been praying for a groundswell of light, of Your work in our country, and this is what You show me? 

The Lord reminded me of something He'd shown me a while back, the churches where the helpers were opening the doors, leading people in out of the devastation outside, praying with them, talking with them, feeding them, clothing them. Again, He reminded me: in the middle of devastation, He is doing His work. He is providing His helpers. He is bringing His Kingdom. 

"Let Your Kingdom come, Your will be done." Your will, Lord, even when Your will looks different from what we hope. You will do Your good work in Your way; let our eyes and our hearts be open to Your leading. 

I'm praying for strength and guidance for each of us as we navigate this path. We are the helpers, led by the Spirit, walking in step with the Spirit. "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).

I'm going to say: if this post touched you, spoke to you, moved you at all, please share it. Not for me; I'm not interested in my voice spreading outward. But more than anything, I want people to know Christ, to open the eyes of their hearts and really see Him. If these blog posts I'm writing help you see Him at all in a new way, please share them.