Wanting the perks. And the pain?

How human we are to want the good life minus the burdens, responsibilities, or work that life demands! Having made that mistake myself, let's explore where we can and do go wrong.

Don't worry!  This isn't to give us all a guilt trip!  😣 Examine your own heart before the Lord to find out if any of this is a weak point for you, as it was (and is more than I'd like) for me...

Living in our part of the world, we become accustomed to expecting good things in life.  Believers are not excluded from this.  We figure that God's blessings will follow us if we follow Him; it's promised, isn't it?

But what about purpose? Why were we given this new life if not to glorify Him in the midst of it all and tell others, through life and word, about what He has done for us and what He longs for every breathing soul on this earth?  Life!  Life in Him!  The only one that fulfills, the only one to last. 

If we are not about His purposes- the glory, the sharing, the living for Him- then why should we know the power of His Spirit working in might? For our own amazement?

  For sure, living in Him has trials with the Holy Spirit's direct work needed in our personal growth. We are all blessed to know this. But the specific perks AND trials that naturally follow His work when we are about His purposes are unique.  And they carry their own type of consequence. This is where we discover if we are ready to follow Him -- wherever He leads.

Paul found that out when he followed the Lord faithfully and ended up imprisoned. And this was after Paul was led to this place where it all went down! THAT does not sound like a 'perk' in anyone's book, does it? 😲

But if you think for just a moment, would Paul have written all those letters to believers if he had been busy preaching, constantly on the road?  Would we have the depth of his letters to guide the church if he had been physically out there doing that teaching himself, and no doubt enjoying every minute of it? 

Possibly.  But probably not.  

So being in prison was part of the calling, the service, and the purpose His Lord had for him.  Are we as willing to take THAT road?

Others in our troubled world choose to remain in high-crime or oppressive regions of this world.  Called, they remain despite the dangers. Many editions of Open Doors periodicals describe just such brothers and sisters — the brave among us, specially called to remain.

   They need, as we do, the tools to prevail.

How do we know physical strength without doing any training? It is the same with spiritual things. Paul was adamant that this is inherent in our walk with God; are we even willing to do as Paul wrote...? 

How can we expect to serve with bodily passions not tamed within?  That one was my failing.  For others, it might be laziness, pride of knowledge that thinks it needs no more learning, position, or talents already in service—almost anything can derail us if we have not got our 'selves' under control. 

That is what WE can DO. The other thing is glorious! What we HAVE, or not...

Do we have love for our Lord Jesus with all that we are? He is first.  HE is all!

  Those who experienced healing, Jesus' touch in life, and power in service were those who were WITH Him.  Walking with Him, desiring Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and spirit, HE will show you His purpose. 

Accept that purpose, though it be a dark, tiring way. That might mean, as a caregiver or victim of illness or disability, as a helper rather than a leader, or a myriad of 'unwanted' paths, whether they be long-term or temporary.   These darker ways are transformed when walked WITH HIM!

Then you and I will be able to rejoice with Paul on that day before the Lord of life! Walking in His ways, in His purposes, with His strength brings us ever closer to His Holy Spirit and His touch on our lives each day!