We have all been called into the ministry of Christ. Perhaps you say, oh no; he didn’t call me to speak for him. He called the preacher; but not me. Who am I? Or perhaps you have stepped out of your shell and are either speaking for Christ, writing for Christ, or ministering for Christ. Still, you look at the time and the money spent and wonder whether it has made a difference? We want God to reach down and pat us on the head to say, Good job. We may think we want fame and success to be that which validates us, a sign from God to say we have pleased Him. What if God never sends that?
used courtesy of istock.com/finaldream
What about those moments when Satan keeps whispering to you about your past failures, your weaknesses, and your inabilities? What about those moments when the whirlwinds of trials keeps causing your light to flicker so dimly, nearly being blown out with each gust? What about those moments when fears of failure overwhelm your mind? When all hope appears to be failing, everyone around you is whispering fearful words of doubt, and the road ahead appears treacherously dark; how do you keep marching forward? Remember these 5 truths…
1. First, remember that Christ has proclaimed you as being light because of Him and this is not dependent upon your innate abilities; it is because of He who indwells your heart. Matthew 5 "14 Ye are the light of the world." He did not say you might be if you try a little harder, He said you are the light. Try as we might to hide that light with all the wood, hay, stubble that we try to cover it with; it will one day burn through and shine anyway. So, why don’t we recognize that Christ is the light within us?
2. Second, remember that Christ sent us out into the world to be the light with the only weapon we needed; the sword of truth. That truth found in the word of God is all that we need to battle against the darkness of this world and the darkness which tries to overshadow our own heart. John 17: 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
3. Third, remember that it is God who will work out His will for your life and will use you as His light to shine into the darkness of the world (sometimes in spite of you and when you least expect it; because the work is by His power and for His Glory–not yours). Philippians 2: "13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;16 Holding forth the word of life"
4. Fourth, remember that Satan doesn’t want your light to shine into the darkness; but you shine because of the Gospel of Christ. Keep proclaiming the Glorious Gospel, remembering "this is not about me."
2 Corinthians 4: "3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake."
5. Fifth, remember that Christ is the one who will harvest. You are not responsible for the final harvest, He is. So keep sowing the seed and keep letting your light shine, pushing back the darkness. Revelation 14: 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Often, those whispering doubts have tried to fill my mind. Looking back, I see the mess of my life and wonder how could God use me. Stumbling along at times, tripping up, trying to run ahead of God in my enthusiasm to please Him, and opening my mouth when it should have been shut. Despite all of that, there has been a steady theme that has been present—I Am In Love with Christ my Savior and He loves me. There are people I run into from my past who tell me that something I said or how I stood in the midst of a storm on faith alone; has changed their life. Some proclaim that they found Christ; others, remember a ray of hope that pointed them back to the cross where victory had been won. In fact, a woman walked up to me in the hospital just yesterday and said "do you remember me?" Then she began to tell me her story of faith and how God carried her through. Her daughter was now sick and she wanted me to pray for her. Thus, I realize that God used me; even when I thought I was useless. Are you getting weary along the journey? Are you discouraged because you haven’t seen the harvest? Do you think God can never use you as a light to dispel darkness?
I have to say, while I was searching for a different song; I came upon this one today. It was a song that inspired me and restored my hope to keep pushing back the dark by the strength of Christ within me, His light, His power, and His declarations of who I am in Him. If by pushing back against the darkness and pressing forward with a flickering candle, one soul’s eternity is changed; then, it is worth pushing on and marching forward no matter what lies ahead. So please listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66wdK5q_Wr4
© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”