We all have moments when we want to quit. The battle we face may seem too big, or too long. We begin to grow weary and that exhaustion weakens our resolve and wears on our thoughts. We begin to imagine that there is an easier path than the one we are traveling. Our pace slows, and we can even choose to simply stop where we are. Many people remain stuck, sitting alongside the path of their life, unable to go any further.

As I write this, my thoughts keep coming back to Sailor Gutzler. She is a 7 year old girl who recently survived a plane crash in Kentucky. The lone survivor, having lost her family in the crash, she freed herself from the wreckage and walked a great distance through some of the worst terrain to find help. She was not trained for the path before her, which was overrun with obstacles, nor was she prepared for the journey. However, she pressed on through the briars, ditches, and downed trees, and through her emotional pain and trauma, to reach a place of safety. Her story is amazing!

The past few days, I faced some challenges and obstacles that I would have rather avoided. At times, I felt like I wanted to avoid the path in front of me and sit down for a season. Then, I thought of Sailor, knowing that my journey and obstacles are nothing compared to what she faced, and I kept moving. Then, I thought of Jesus, and the journey he faced, and found more inspiration. Then, God reminded me that Jesus is walking with me, going before me, and giving me strength for the journey, and I allowed the Holy Spirit to renew my strength. Somewhere between the tenacity of a 7 year old girl, and the great grace of God, I lost my weariness, and moved forward .

Many people are talking about how miraculous Sailor’s successful journey was. I agree. I also am overwhelmed with the miraculous strength she found to press on, to overcome. I do not know if she had an awareness of God as she pushed through her circumstances, but I do know that God was aware of her, and empowering her to keep moving.

We all face unwanted and difficult things, some are far worse than others. Many times, we dig deep and try to find the strength to keep going, yet that strength can be quite elusive. Then, we discover a strength that exceeds our situation, a power that gives us more than a hand, it lifts us up on wings like eagles. God’s strength has no limits, and the Holy Spirit shares that strength with us.

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, “I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.” No matter what we are facing, God is bigger. No matter how difficult the task, God’s power is stronger. No matter how great our need, God’s willingness to meet it is greater. We are not alone, and we are not left to our own strength to continue. When we hope in the Lord, God renews our strength with his inexhaustible supply.

I thank God for grace, power, and hope. I am thankful for Sailor’s tenacious witness. I pray that God continues to strengthen her for the difficult journey ahead, and hope that one day she will see how her actions, in the face of great pain and adversity, inspired the nation and the world.

Let us not grow weary. Let us not faint. Let us hope in the Lord and be strong and courageous.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his might power.” – Ephesians 6:10

The post Strong in the Lord appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.

“Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

God tells him to write down the vision and make it clear so people can read it. There is nothing hidden here. God wants the message declared so that no one can miss it. The revelation the prophet received is coming. It is on its way, and God wants the people to be ready, actively looking for it with expectation. Could it be that God is looking for the same thing to happen as we enter this New Year? Does God have a vision for the church and the world, and is he looking for us to declare it plainly so that others will see it?

As you might imagine, my answer to those questions is a resounding, “Yes!” The church of Jesus Christ is not meant to be a group of silent observers, hiding from the world. Of course, we are not meant to be obnoxious disciples condemning the world either. We are called to be witness of the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are those who affirm to people the truth of God’s word, and point them to the Living Word. God is on a mission to radically transform the world one human heart at a time, and we are invited to be a part of that mission.

Disciples of Jesus need to look past personal preferences and popular agendas in order to ask the Savior what his desires and plans are. We want to know what is on the heart of God, so that we can make that our heart as well. The Bible says that Jesus, “ever lives to intercede for us.” (Hebrews 7:25) Jesus is praying for us and for the world. Doesn’t it seem like it would be a good idea to find out what Jesus is praying will take place so that we can join in that prayer, and join in the work to see it become a reality in the world.

As disciples, we are followers of Jesus. He does not follow our plans, we follow his. Then, God graciously extends the opportunity to us to become leaders for those around us as we make God’s revelation clear so that people can run with it. You and I are privileged to be witnesses, living billboards, which reveal Jesus and his message to the world.

God’s plan is taking shape and will come to pass. The promise is that the revelation is for an appointed time, but it will not delay. God will not be early, nor will he be late. The revelation, God’s vision, will come forth at just the right time. In the meantime, we wait, but we do so actively. We make God’s plan easy to see as people run by so that they can take hold of that vision and live it out in their lives in the world. When we do this, we become disciples of Jesus, who make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.

God’s New Year’s resolution for us is no small wish, it is a great vision from a great God. God’s revelation is sealed in Jesus Christ and empowered through the Holy Spirit. As we begin this year, it is time for us to go big in our faith and discipleship. Let’s do this!

The post God’s Vision: A Big Idea appeared first on Thinking Faith Cafe.