What do you think of Francis Chan's quote from Crazy Love?
"We need to stop giving people excuses not to believe in God. You've probably heard the expression 'I believe in God, just not organized religion.' I don't think people would say that if the church truly lived like we are called to live."
The Psalmist says in Psalm 46:1-2a "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear..."
What would be different in our lives if we really believed that our security and our strength is found in God? What would be different in our lives if we took God at His word and believed that He was an ever-present help in trouble?
It seems to me that theologically we believe these things, but practically we often fail to live as if we believe what God says. We get into a tight spot and we ignore our values.
What steps could we take to change the way we respond when life hits us in the face?
The first thing that comes to mind is worry. When god has had the victory in the past in my life, and I didn't worry when life crashed in on me, my friends noticed a difference and that I was trusting in my awesome God. -Just one little example of really trusting God - in real life, not just mentally.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Vicki; she made a good point about worry.
ReplyDeleteWe are always taught in church and through the Bible that we are supposed to cast our cares upon the Lord, lay our burdens down at the cross, and so on and so forth...and we always tell people that when they are upset or worried. But we don't necessarily live those lives that show we are faithful and loving servants of God at all times. We don't show others that, in the midst of trials, we can still be happy and comforted in the name of Christ. But if we would "practice what we preach" in trusting God fully from the beginning to the end, we would shine a light much brighter and further than we do now...and then people perhaps wouldn't feel the way they do about stepping into a church on Sunday mornings or joining others in praising God and singing songs of His great power, love, and mercy over us. All of us need to take that leap of faith and stare life in the face as we say, "You know what? My God is bigger than you."