God didn’t promise His children that living a Christian life here on earth was going to be easy. In fact, the early church was told the opposite. Peter said, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (I Peter 4:16). Suffering – that’s not something that we “long” to do. But, we as Christians are “fortified” from within which gives us the power to endure. Do you have what it takes? So what do you have in you?
Do you have the ability to be a servant? If you “have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). So, if opportunities to reach out and help others have come your way, you must have the ability to serve inside. Will it be said of you, like Mary who broke the alabaster box and anointed Jesus with oil, “She hath done what she could?” (Mark 14:8a) If God has placed what appears to be a “giant” in front of you, He must believe that there is a David within you who has the courage to stand up for what is right. If you have the “stuff” to make a cocoon inside, then, you must also have what it takes to become a beautiful butterfly for true beauty comes from within. An old adage says, “Beautiful people are not always good, but good people are always beautiful.” That’s so true! Christians also have inside the “peace of God, which passes all understanding, (which) shall keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). We believe in the promise that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Knowing that we are not alone and He “will never leave us or forsake us” (Deuteronomy 31:6), allows us to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4a) If you will “draw near to God and He will draw near to you” James 4:8a).
No, the Christian life may not be easy, but it’s worth it for Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). I hope your mansion is next to mine! Simply blessed, Courtney