By Pastor Mitch Horton | January 2008 | Posted in • Life | (0) Comments
Every single one of us has asked this question at some point in our lives. In the natural, this world is not an easy place to be. As we go through the monotony of life: work, the commute, school activities, homework…we can lose sight of the simple things we are called to do. Have you done something for Him today? Is your life worthy of the gospel? Philippians 1:27 (Amplified) says, “Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ…”
I am very sad to say that I haven’t always lived a life pleasing to God. I grew up in a denomination that taught the cross. I have always believed that Jesus was the Son of God, and that He died for my sins. I prayed daily, yet I didn’t know how to live for God. I just walked around conducting myself like the rest of the world. Yet deep inside I had a knowing that something was wrong.
As I look back, I am so thankful for the mercy and long-suffering of a God who loves me and sees the end from the beginning. I rededicated my life to God in 1995. As He daily teaches me His love, I am more challenged today than ever before to live my life in a manner pleasing to Him.
I recall a day when my mind was racing, and I was trying to think through twenty different things and cook dinner at the same time; all the while, my children were relentlessly calling, “Mom, I need this….Mom, Tyler did that…Mom I need a drink…” In frustration I hollered out, “Get up and get it yourselves – I am not your servant!”
The Lord addressed this comment almost as quickly as I let the words slip out of my mouth. “Oh yes, you are,” He said, “I gave you those children, and you will serve them.” I did not hear an audible voice, yet every bone in my body heard it. My entire body shuttered as I sat down in a chair to repent and replay what had just happened.
Daily life and the little things are very important to God. He does not want me in bondage to my children’s pleas for every little thing. Yet in this situation, my attitude was not right, and I was not walking in His love.
Ah, yes, the little things. Small, but so very important to a Father who loves us! A smile to someone in need … a hug to a hurting friend … finally taking the time to make that call to someone who keeps coming to mind … He can use us as vessels on a daily basis if we’ll just be open enough to listen. Take time everyday to be used by Him.
I remember being in a store one day; a lady who looked like she carried the burden of the world on her shoulders was in line in front of me. I smiled and tried to make small talk with her. She ended up telling me that she had a son who had had a child out of wedlock; this had upset her tremendously, because he was raised in church, and she didn’t bring him up that way. I shared with her that I, too, had been a rebellious teenager, and that she should trust that she had planted the seed of God inside her son, and that he would eventually come back. I told her, “Never give up on him; just love him and pray for him.”
She smiled for the first time in probably a long time, as she said to me, “Thank you so much! You have been an angel for me today.” I left the store in tears because God loved her enough to reach out to her in her time of need. I went into that store to purchase something, not to minister to someone. But as I took the time to be kind to someone, God blessed her.
How many opportunities have we missed to bring a word of encouragement to others? Let’s not become so overburdened with everyday stuff that we forget why we are on earth. Life is about HIM. Find something you can do for Him today. Jesus said if we give food or water to someone in need, we have indeed given it to Him. Give of yourself today. It doesn’t cost very much. Give a smile or a hug … volunteer at church … let’s be open, willing vessels to be used on a daily basis.
I leave you with a few lyrics from one of my favorite praise and worship songs, Lifesong by Casting Crowns, “Lord I give my life, a living sacrifice, to reach a world in need, to be Your hands and feet, so may the words I say, and the things I do, make my life song sing, bring a smile to You.”
Does your life song sing to Him today?
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