“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” - 2 Cor 4:8-10
Recently I have been reflecting, if we think we are not going to face any problems in our lives, we are clearly not living. We live in a broken and hurting world with broken and hurting people. We are all called to live a life of higher purpose and in doing so we are going to face our own problems and challenges to ultimately develop the character of God in our lives. Sometimes God also uses people in our lives to change us (we all know who those people are!). Pastor Luis Gutierrez’s sermon on ‘Priorities’ puts our response to those problems or challenges into perspective. When we prioritise God and live a life that honours Him, our response to those problems start to change. Its no longer our old nature at work but the new nature of God that starts to show up.
Let’s be real though – how hard is it to kill the old and live in the new. Despite the many opportunities to respond to problems in the way that honours God my tendency has been to fall back into old patterns of anger, unforgiveness and destruction and nothing good comes out of that. I not only hurt myself but everyone around me. This is when I realise, I need God. I need Him to be my source of strength and wisdom. I need Him to renew my mind and to give up control. I need Him to help me stay patient when I need answers and certainty. I need Him to help me trust when the facts are hopeless. I need Him to give me wisdom and discernment amongst the many voices that come my way. I need Him to help me push through the problems when all I want to do is give up. He needs to be my FIRST PRIORITY. How can I expect to put my old nature to death without God speaking into my life daily? More importantly, what am I doing to allow for that in my daily walk with the Lord? Do I even know how to use His word to guide and direct me – not only when I feel good but when I am at my lowest? My friends, as a church family, let us commit to a daily walk with the Lord and remind each other of who is ultimately in control.
Father, thank you for the new life we have in you. You are the source of our strength. Help us to trust and depend on you in our tough times so we can respond to every situation in our lives in a way that brings glory and honour to you. Let our focus be on eternity with you and not the problems we face here on earth. Amen.