The Gospel of Matthew (chapter 14) records a fascinating adventure
story, one that begins with Jesus issuing a clear command to his disciples: ‘GO ON AHEAD…TO THE OTHER SIDE.’ I
really love reading, but I confess that I never peruse the final pages of a novel
ahead of time since I thoroughly enjoy navigating through the excitement and
tension of story characters’ tests and triumphs. In this case, however, I
will deviate from custom and reveal the conclusion of the disciples’
journey: “WHEN THEY HAD CROSSED
OVER…THEY LANDED AT GENNESARET.” (Matthew 14:22-34) Their ultimate
arrival at Gennesaret was never about the ultimate CONCLUSION OF THEIR JOURNEY; it was all about the dedicated PURSUIT OF CHRIST’S COMMAND.
WHEREVER GOD GUIDES…HE PROVIDES!
Here’s the thing. In order to arrive at their final
DESTIN-ATION, i.e. their place of divine destiny, the twelve disciples had to
traverse through tremendous trouble. It occurs to me that the typical
attitude of contemporary Christians is reflective of a MICROWAVE MENTALITY. That is, we
seek (and require) instantaneous solutions to perennial problems. That
is, we insist that GOD WORK OUT in
‘five minutes’ situations which we have developed over the course of five
years. Please hear this with your spirit: OUR FAITH-WALK INVOLVES PROCESS!
It’s not that God is incapable of RIGHT-NOW-MIRACLES. After all,
“He is ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”
However, the latter part of that scripture verse is key to our
understanding of the ways and works of God. In the final analysis, GOD
operates in the earth realm “according to the power that works IN US.” (Ephesians 3:20)
This scripture could be interpreted in a couple ways. It
could mean that God works through Holy Spirit power that is divinely bestowed
and resident within believers. II Corinthians 4:7 says, “We have this
treasure in EARTHEN VESSELS that
the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” Also, it could
mean that although our God is fully capable, He is fundamentally limited (by
the practical application of OUR FAITH) in His capacity to reveal and fulfill
His Word. Consider this. Even after Jesus had publicly presented
his profound Parables of The Kingdom (Matthew chapter 13), he was rejected by
those who knew him well during his formative years. That is, when he went
into the synagogue to teach “in his own country,” those who knew him the longest
were “offended” because someone they ONLY
‘SAW’ a fellow resident of Nazareth (a ‘homeboy’ if you will), having
the audacity to try to teach them anything! The result? Jesus “did not [do] many
mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:54-58) In
truth, THE OMNIPOTENT GOD IS
RENDERED POWERLESS TO IMPACT OUR LIFE-SITUATIONS when we allow
doubt and fear to dominate and thereby place our God in a ‘limiting box.’
Please tune in with your spirit. Whenever Jesus commands His
disciples to ‘GO’ anywhere, there is a 100% probability that TURBULENT WEATHER will show up at
some point in the journey. In your own faith-walk, whenever you move in
the direction of the eternal, i.e. whenever you finally make up your mind to
settle on God’s will and way, you can count on the manifestation of trouble.
An unfortunate myth is frequently perpetrated on new believers. It
suggests that decisions for Christ somehow culminate in flowery beds of ease.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Here is the real deal, according to the Word of God: “Therefore being
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by
whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but WE GLORY IN TRIBULATIONS also:
knowing that TRIBULATION WORKS
PATIENCE; and patience, experience; and experience, hope. And
hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by
the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:1-5)
Thus, your personal TRIBULATION is merely one component of DIVINE
PROCESS. Dictionary.com defines “tribulation” as “grievous trouble;
severe trial or testing; affliction; hardship; distress; adversity.”
Nevertheless, all pains, pressures and problems are PREGNANT WITH PURPOSE. Some years ago, God
revealed something vitally important while I was throwing a private pity party
disguised as personal prayer. Heaven’s advice for me? “Stop asking
WHY! Start asking HOW!” In other words, we don’t need to know WHY
we are in the middle of challenging conditions; all we really need is a HOLY
SPIRIT REVELATION of HOW we are going to emerge on the other side! Think
about it and stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all
else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
No comments:
Post a Comment