Much of our time is spent making peace. We want everyone to be happy. We don't want to rock the boat. After all, we say, Jesus was a peacemaker. Yet those who wish to lead a Godly life will rock the boat, they will infuriate others, and they will disappoint those closest to them.
Jesus drew lines in the sand - howbeit he did it for the sake of a greater cause, the Pearl of Great Price, obedience to his call and the Father's purposes on his life. He could have healed more, preached more, taught more; he could have stayed in villages for weeks at a time - for you know, he always left unmet needs behind him as he followed the Will for his life. He did this because of his love for them.
Demons and the will of men were the two agents that most often stood in the way of his ministry. He confronted our enemy often - commanding them not to speak for "they knew who he was" and thus would interfere with his Father's Plan. He rebuked the enemy in those he loved best. To Peter he once said, "Get behind me satan." When his disciples met him after a night of prayer and scolded him for ignoring the crowds... his reply? Let's go to another town. There's work to do there.
Ultimately his entire life was a decisive response to a higher Call - a Call wherein he was okay with disappointing others, refusing to let satan get in the way, and not always pleasing others. For the sake of Love he was empowered to draw guilt-free lines in the sand.
These were not random lines. They were lines defining the parameter of the ministry of God in his life. He loved greatly. He guarded what was entrusted to him with an often misunderstood passion. But they got it in the end. The fruit of his obedience saved their very souls.
O God, forgive me for succumbing to the temptations of compromise and people pleasing. Heal that within me which seeks affirmation from anything, or anyone, but you. And then move me on in love, without guilt, knowing that the eternal fruit of obedience is far sweeter than anything which compromises your plan for me. In Christ's Name. Amen.
Jesus drew lines in the sand - howbeit he did it for the sake of a greater cause, the Pearl of Great Price, obedience to his call and the Father's purposes on his life. He could have healed more, preached more, taught more; he could have stayed in villages for weeks at a time - for you know, he always left unmet needs behind him as he followed the Will for his life. He did this because of his love for them.
Demons and the will of men were the two agents that most often stood in the way of his ministry. He confronted our enemy often - commanding them not to speak for "they knew who he was" and thus would interfere with his Father's Plan. He rebuked the enemy in those he loved best. To Peter he once said, "Get behind me satan." When his disciples met him after a night of prayer and scolded him for ignoring the crowds... his reply? Let's go to another town. There's work to do there.
Ultimately his entire life was a decisive response to a higher Call - a Call wherein he was okay with disappointing others, refusing to let satan get in the way, and not always pleasing others. For the sake of Love he was empowered to draw guilt-free lines in the sand.
These were not random lines. They were lines defining the parameter of the ministry of God in his life. He loved greatly. He guarded what was entrusted to him with an often misunderstood passion. But they got it in the end. The fruit of his obedience saved their very souls.
O God, forgive me for succumbing to the temptations of compromise and people pleasing. Heal that within me which seeks affirmation from anything, or anyone, but you. And then move me on in love, without guilt, knowing that the eternal fruit of obedience is far sweeter than anything which compromises your plan for me. In Christ's Name. Amen.
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