Os Hillman in an online newsletter reminded me that God called Moses. Then God deliberately hindered Moses’ efforts to succeed. You remember the story, Moses came from his 40 year respite in the desert to lead the people of Israel out of bondage.
However, the Bible says that God hardened Pharoah’s heart at every turn. Rather than God cooperating with Moses, God fought his success. After his baptism, Jesus was driven into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the devil.
With so much scriptural evidence of God’s determination to strengthen his Chosen Ones through hardship, resistance and persecution, we still are captured by the illusion that our journey will be different. Somehow we believe that we will be able to mount the wings of the Holy Spirit and sail over the hardships of life and ministry only touched by the gently caressing breezes of God’s grace and mercy.
The truth is that none of us escape. Each is buffeted though the winds and storms of life valiantly clinging to the cross for our strength. You see, it is the cross and the resurrection that is the center of our experience with Christ. We must never forget that each time resurrection occurs, there has been a crucifixion of self.
Is there joy? Yes. Yes. Yes. Is there peace. Yes, unspeakable peace. Is there life without conflict and hurt. No. But we survive the rebukes and discouragements and pain and walk out of the fire refined. Johnnie Lord, wife of Peter Lord, once said, “God isn’t interested in my performance but in my obedience.” In your Christian life and especially in ministry, performance and even success doesn’t count. Obedience does.
What about you? Have you been going through fire this past week or year? Have you been able to seek Christ through the pain and hurt?
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June 20, 2011 at 10:18 am
Life is beautiful! The moment I understand that God is calling me into ministry, I began to make preparation toward it. First, I made up my mind to obey the Lord. But when the time came to respond to the calling, the whole hell was let loose. Almost everyone sees me as been lunatic. Most especially my wife,she couldn’t see sense in it. But thank God for those that have been encouragement to me.. These people always look forward for my joy. Many times, It seems that I am all alone, thinking all alone, seeing all alone and walking all alone. But the Lord has been great in my life. And I have come to realise that the price is not more than the grace!
June 21, 2011 at 8:09 am
Thank you for your comment. I’m really sorry that your decision to follow the Lord has caused you opposition. However, I believe that you will find in the future that once you prove that God has truly called you and you aren’t just “following your heart” into an adventure that isn’t the Lord, people will begin to fall into line and begin to encourage you. As you have seen already, keep up your faithful walk doing God’s work and He will bless you.