When
I became a Christ-follower almost 30 years ago, I came to Him with a
deep understanding of commitment and death to self.
Then
he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny
themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever
wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life
for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the
whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is
ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them
when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the
holy angels. (Lk 9:23-26)
In
the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have
cannot be my disciples. (Lk 14:33)
I
accepted that the life of a disciple of Jesus was one of sacrifice
and self-denial. I was prepared to leave North America and become a
missionary somewhere. I was willing to give above and beyond a tithe.
I was willing to face persecution. However, I also accepted a subtle
message that in return I would have a great marriage, obedient
children, less struggles with health and finances, and certain other
comforts in exchange. This gospel of comfort is far more prevalent in
North American Christianity than the message of self-denial. Many North American Christians have never even heard the message of sacrifice and commitment.
We
look at obstacles as terrible burdens that we must bear. We fear
illness. We get depressed over finances. We bemoan traffic jams. We
criticize our spouses, our bosses, and our government. And then we
complain that we don't see God at work in our lives.
I
have been involved with an organization that is committed to bringing
cutting-edge organic farming techniques to villages in Africa (You
Feed Them). The results have been amazing! After my friend returned
from a trip to Africa to work on the project, she shared that she was
overwhelmed by the poverty. As the tears flowed down her cheeks, she
asked God why she had so much and they had so little. The response
was that although these villagers were poor in material things, they
were very rich in faith.
Our
brothers and sisters struggling through poverty NEED God just to get
through each day. And every time God provides for them, their faith
grows. One friend shared a conversation he had with a very sick man
in one of the villages. I think my friend was trying to offer this
man help to go to the hospital. The man's response came from a faith
that few North Americans will ever achieve. He said with incredible
peace, “Either God will heal me, or I will go home to be with Him.
I don't need a hospital.” This man has seen God do the miraculous.
It is only when God is all you have that you realize that he truly is
all you need.
The
gospel of comfort comes from the enemy. We do not need the comforts
of North America to have God's peace and joy! In fact, the more we
think we need, or deserve these comforts, the less joy we have. The
more comforts we do have, the less we need God, and the less we see
of His faithfulness and goodness.
Jesus
said “It
is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle than
for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
(Mk 10:25) Why is that? Because we rely on our wealth instead of on
God. We rely on doctors instead of God's miraculous healing. We go to
counsellors, instead of to God's Word. We find our “joy” in
things and entertainment instead of in people and in God. We get
divorced because we start to hate our spouse when they no longer
adequately provide the happiness and validation we need, when in
truth God is our faithful lover than delights in us and will never
forsake us. We think more money will solve all our problems, while we
ignore the number of extremely wealthy people who commit suicide.
We
need to learn to see our trials not as horrible burdens, but as
opportunities for God to show us His faithfulness, His miraculous
provision and healing, and for us to grow closer to Him as our
Comforter, our Hope, our Shield, our Defender. When life is
comfortable, we just don't see God's mighty hand as much.
When our needs and wants are met elsewhere, God has no opportunity to
prove to us His tender faithfulness.
I
have had opportunities in the past several years to experience God in
many of these ways. Through the hardship of my broken marriage, special needs children and
health issues, I got to know God as my Comforter, as my Lover, and as
my Provider in truly miraculous ways. Through recent challenges I got
to know Him as my Shield and Defender. Now, I am starting to get to
know Him as my Healer! If my life had been comfortable, I would never
have grown in my intimacy with my Saviour. This intimacy is worth all
the pain I have faced! I am so incredibly grateful to know God in
these ways! His praise is constantly on my lips, as I see Him at work
in my life! Don't cling to the comforts of wealth, but cling instead
to the One who can give you treasures and joy that this world can
never take away!
Holy Father, I praise You for You wonderful love! I praise You for Your saving grace. That although we deserve the punishment of the cross for our many sins, You clothe us with the righteousness of Christ! I praise You that the trials in my life have given me the opportunity to know You far more intimately than just as Saviour. I pray that those reading this devotional can see You working in their hardships. I pray that they will seek You instead of the comforts of this world. I pray that those who are in financial need will learn that You are a faithful provider. I pray that those in difficult marriages or who have faced the pain of divorce can know You as their Lover. I pray that those who face illness and physical pain can discover that You are the God who Heals. I pray that those facing emotional difficulties, fear, depression, and/or anxiety can know you as their Comforter. I praise You Father, Holy Spirit, and Jesus!
