A generation of complacency and comfort, believing whisper after whisper about the "American Dream"; could it be that we have found ourselves in a broken and struggling country for our lust of things, more, and living lives of pleasure? Even if God did not allow such terrible happenings in America for this reason, would we put it past Him to use these very events to shape us and break us? Is He not a jealous God who wants our undivided attention and love?
We are a generation of comfort, and I strongly believe God did not create us to be comfortable. In Revelation He talks about spitting those who are lukeware out of his mouth. We are riding a fine line in our modern world. So how do we daily live non-complacent lives in America? The only answer I can think of is by falling so in love with our Savior that we want to be anything but honoring to Him. And if we don't choose a life of discomfort and one where He receives all glory, He'll take us there.
I'm not saying to get rid of all the things you do not need, never splurge on Starbucks or stop going out on date nights. Money and things are not bad, they just make it all the more difficult to leave us reliant on God. I don't think the Lord is saying we cannot enjoy life, but how do we find that balance? And it what ways is He wanting to stretch my comfort? Well, that's subjective to each person and their circumstances. That is an answer you'll have to seek from the Lord.
Where is all this coming from? Abraham was so faithful in leaving his home land, wandering the desert and believing that God would provide a son for him. He was so committed to the LORD that God gave him, Isaac. And what greater joy is there than holding your own child in your arms, knowing you get to spend the rest of your life pouring into such a sweet being? Abraham was so faithful that not too many years later the same LORD asked him to sacrifice this same precious gift. His child.
Your child; could you, upon hearing the word of the Lord, get up early to sacrifice your only child? Abraham did not delay. Knowing he served a faithful God, he got up early to give up one of the promises he had waited years for.
My first thought, "Why?" Abraham, over 100 years old, had lived a long life and finally received a blessing from above just to be tested again? Why? Hand raised, the LORD called down to Abraham and stopped him from sacrificing his son, "'Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.'"
Was leaving his homeland, giving up his people and his religion to go to a foreign place for a foreign God not enough? No, the LORD still wanted to know that Abraham feared Him. If Abraham, a man of great faith, and at 100 years is still being tested by God, then why would the Lord not also stretch our faith. Would God not need to test our faith even more?
How might the testing of our faith manifest itself in our culture today, you ask? What about a hurting economy, hundreds of thousands of people needing jobs, financial difficulties, loss, death, wars, and natural disasters worldwide? When our faith is tested, our comfort is shaken and the depth of our faith is revealed. Have you been stretched out of your comfort lately? If so, what was your reaction and was the Lord glorified by your faith.
The greatest truth I have been learning lately; it is all for His glory. What will it take for the LORD to receive glory from your life and how deep is your faith? Will the Lord have to stretch you to see how committed you are to Him?
2 comments:
Very good post, Kelly! I so agree with you. I sometimes feel a restlessness in my heart that I have allowed myself to become too comfortable, too "entitled" and that God wants me to sacrifice some comfort for His kingdom... I'm not sure how...but I totally agree with you that THINGS themselves and money is not bad, but it's our purpose in what we are chasing after and our mindset that matters most.
I also think that getting uncomfortable will show itself differently throughout our lives, and depending upon circumstances. No one is in the exact same place and stretching one's self may not seem that stretching to another... it may be simple, it may be a great sacrifice... it may be material, it may be time. It will look different for each person, I believe.
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