Today I attended my tenth church since moving to Texas. TENTH CHURCH! In some ways it makes me laugh, in other ways it makes me sad and long for my church back home. But anyway, the church I went to today is called Foundation of Life, and I really enjoyed going there. The message that the pastor spoke went deep in my heart. The sentence he said that most spoke to me was this, "Most of the church is mad at the harvest. You can't reach people that you are mad at."
My eyes are wide and I nod my head. Because it is true. I am mad that people abort babies. I am mad that people tell me I'm judgmental because I don't support homosexuality. I am mad that christianity is either portrayed in the media as being weak and ignorant, or as overbearing and cocky.
I realize that I am useless to God if I can't get past my anger and frustrations, and love people despite what they think of me or judge me for being. I want to be a vessel of God, a tool that He uses to reach the perishing people of this world. So yet again, I am humbled and pray that the Lord would fix this in me. That he would change my heart towards unconditional love and remind me that I am saved by grace, and grace is what this world needs too.
Do I still get to hate the sin and darkness of the world? Absolutely. I am not in any way going to change my views on these issues. However, my heart needs to be reminded that I am a worker and now is the time of the harvest. I don't want to miss out on bringing people to the throne of Jesus because I am angry at them for what they are doing.
Jesus, thank You for conviction of the Holy Spirit. Lord I pray that when I become angry with people, You would remind me of the great love You have shown to me, so that I can in turn love others. God I choose to forgive those who have judged me. Help me to forgive as You forgave me. I ask for Your mercy on this world. I pray for Your words to penetrate hearts, so that people might see You and believe in You. God, I thank You that You are in control and You see everything, nothing is hidden from You. Jesus, please soften my heart and cause me to be more like You. I love You and I praise Your name. You are good and Your love endures forever.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1st Corinthians 1:18
No comments:
Post a Comment