What Do You Lack?

Often in my life I have thought about the things I might do if I didn't lack something. Whether it was money, time, or even talent, I have thought if I just had (fill in the blank) I could do this or that. I am sure that many of us have felt a similar feeling. This attitude can creep into the spiritual realm as well.

What if I told you that you and I have everything we need to live a life that pleases God? 2 Peter 1:3-4 says, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire"(ESV). We make so many excuses that we forget that God is with us and has given ALL that we need to please Him.

Maybe we have the wrong perspective. Maybe your perspective is that you must be sinless to be used of God? Name someone from the Bible who you think was a great person of faith and I will almost guarantee you that they are guilty of sins "greater" than any you may have committed. David was an adulterer. Moses was a murderer. Abraham lied and claimed his wife was his sister. Paul put Christians to death. Peter denied Christ at least three times. You may say that the Bible says, "Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect." The word for perfect here means to be complete or mature, not a sinless perfection. We let Satan hinder us from serving because he tells us we aren't good enough. God has not called us unto sinless perfection, but He has given us that through Christ. He sees us as perfectly holy. We are called to follow Christ's leading in our life and He will never lead us somewhere He has not been or to do something He cannot do through us. So if you are called to do something you don't think you can do, just remember what you are lacking: nothing.

Who Do You Love?

Familiarity breeds contempt is an old saying. It means that we take for granted those things, places, or people we know the best. We take for granted that, during our life time, they will be there. Our favorite restaurant, our favorite chair, that hidden fishing spot, or our parents are just some things we may assume will be there when we need them. So, in assuming they will be there, we often do not give them the love and attention they need.

Maybe another example would be when a married couple "grow apart." It seems that some men tend to lose the desire to pursue their spouses after they are married. No more dates, flowers, or cards since they have captured the love of their life! It's all about paying bills and raising kids!

I have noticed something similar in the Church. Often we focus on those outside of the church walls, and rightfully so, since we have a mandate to win those who are lost from Jesus Himself. But I have seen that focus get to the point where we no longer care for those inside the church walls. They have been "captured" so we seem to worry less about them. We do not give them the attention and care they need and deserve. We assume they will continue to come to church and be active and volunteer and so on. While we are reaching out to those who do not know Christ, we cannot neglect the needs of fellowship, discipleship, and love to those who have come to know Christ already. The title to this blog post is really a misnomer. It isn't 'Who Do You Love?' as though you can't do both, it is a call to do both and allow the Lord to use you wherever He needs. Whether it be more for those inside the Church or outside, you will never know unless you love first and let Him decide where to work through you.