I wrestle with the desire to be a godly man of integrity, but find myself living in a world that seems mostly bent on leading me astray, with my propensity towards veering off in the worlds distracted direction. We all want joy and happiness, a satisfied and fruitful life, devoid of struggle and pain. The world has it's answer, financial security, perfect health, sexual fulfillment, intimate partnership, familial success of progeny. If not found, the world has other answers, drugs, alcohol, promiscuous living, shopping, hoarding, vicarious living through media, and self seeking pleasure. All empty and destructive choices when pursued to their ends.
Let's face it. We all wrestle with desire and we will pursue that which brings pleasure to our lives because we need it. Satisfaction, joy, thanksgiving, love, peace are all part of the bubble we want to live in, and we can, even in struggle if we get the true perspective.
February 26th I wrote in my blog "Greater Glory Unleashed by a Great God!" that we were told by Jesus we would do greater things than He, positing the question, where are these greater things? I requested "That He (Jesus) take this heart of selfishness and release it to become an example of His heart of service, healing, and hope." and hoped that these words might inspire my readers to do the same. W ell, I don't know about my readers, but for me, the transformation has been slow, but it is happening, not because of me, but because of God.
This Sunday, our church will not meet in our building, but we will meet and head out to a neighborhood apartment complex to share love and over $3,000 of Thanksgiving food purchased for them in their time of need. We have been asked, by a non-believing facilitator of the complex, if we'd be willing to encourage these residents with some tangible and spiritual blessings, and it will happen this Sunday. It isn't the feeding of 5,000, but it is something that could begin transforming a small part of our neighborhood with the true love of God.
Let's face it. Every one of us can sit at a Thanksgiving table and have plenty of 'ills' to complain about. It could be the absence of a loved one, or even alone, no loved ones to share it with. It could be years of financial struggle and loss due to lack of employment or under-employment. Failing health, broken heart, empty nest, broken life; we all will gather at the table with these in the background. Yet if we choose to focus on these, the pain would overwhelm us.
We choose to focus on what is 'good' in life, and there is plenty to be thankful for in every life, especially if we ALL choose to give a gift beyond ourselves to others this season. Sure, it is hard to invite someone who is not a part of your family to be a part at the table. Sure it is not 'comfortable' to be one in need and receive gifts from others appearing 'more blessed'. But if we all can sacrifice and share with one another out of the abundance (yes we ALL have an abundance), this season of Thanksgiving could be transformed into one of greatness.
I believe that those who receive our gifts of food and love this Sunday, will sit at their tables on Thursday, thankful for God's sending His people to them as part of His great love for every one of them. We are not great in and of ourselves, we are great because we serve a mighty God who leads hearts toward Him, for those who choose to seek a true relationship with Him. A true spiritual, Godly life is not about claiming to be His, it is about doing what He asks and doing it as He leads. When God does, it is amazing!
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