"Christian maturity is not about solving things; it's about faithfulness. God has given you and me and every member of the human family a precious gift, the gift of life and the opportunity to grow into the person he wants us to become."
Stanton L. Jones
Ironically, simple faithfulness to God results in "solving things." Being faithful to God leads eventually to the resolution of all problems.
ReplyDeleteIn Philippians 4:11 the Apostle Paul makes an amazing statement, saying that he had learned to be content in whatever state he found himself. Knowing that Paul had suffered rejection, persecution, stoning, whippings, beatings, and imprisonment (almost entirely as a result of the actions of his own people), his statement becomes even more astonishing.
In verse 12 Paul further describes the extremes of his life, which, if plotted on a graph, would be seen a series of high peaks and deep valleys.
Then in verse 13, Paul makes that oft-quoted statement that he "can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens" him.
In Acts 21:26-40, Paul has just been severely beaten by a mob. Then, as he is dragged away in chains by the Roman authorities, he asks the Roman commander for permission to witness for Christ to the snarling mob who is still screaming for him to be killed.
If Paul -- through faithfulness to his Lord -- was able to be content in HIS extreme circumstances, SURELY I can do the same through the mini-trials that come MY way.
Trials, testing, and temptation are concepts that are closely linked in scripture and are an inescapable feature of the fallen human condition. (James 1:19-27) Yet, by faithfulness to God we can triumph over the trials that come our way and, like Paul, learn to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves. Faithfulness is the key.
That was a book......... a good book Dad....... ;)
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