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 examine where we can and often 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 sure, living in Him has trials with the Holy Spirit's direct work, 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.

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, 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?

   How do we know physical strength without doing any training? 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!

Another very real aspect that helps us realize those perks of power in the Holy Spirit in our own lives is answering this: Do we love our Lord Jesus with all that we are? He is first.  HE is all!

Then, we need the second part. We discover the depth of love for others in many ways.  Think of a child.  Would you risk your life to save your dear son or daughter if they were in danger?  We would surely do our utmost! 

But would we do that for our Lord's child, our brother or sister in Christ?  Hum.

Oh my, but my weakness is with loving people!  Not generally, of course, like many people I know, but practically seeking to love them. So for me, to die for these? Perhaps, perhaps not. 

Love has levels we are all learning.  One is sometimes overwhelming to show.

Sometimes the most difficult is the daily grind and exhaustion of caring for another, a disabled child, an elderly parent.  Yet, isn't this another great picture of love?  These loved ones might be 'burdensome,' but we love them nonetheless.  Is our service to God held to this high standard, even when it becomes 'burdensome'?

So you have questions to answer for yourself... Honesty before the Lord is all we can do. And it is HIS voice we seek after all!

Life in Christ is no exception to these principles.  Most of all, those who experienced healing, Jesus' touch in life, and power in service were those who were WITH Him.  Walk with Him, desiring Him with all your heart, soul, mind and spirit, and HE will show you His purpose.  Accept that purpose though it be a dark, tiring way.  Then you, and I, will be able to rejoice with Paul on that day before the Lord of life!