One Step At A Time

Everytime I’m reminded that in being a Christian, I’m a world-changer, I cringe at the thought. What can one as small as myself do? From the modules that I’ve done in Sociology, the world is a horrible place. Extravagant consumerism, overwhelming poverty, rampant depression. Sometimes I just want to give up. But God has unique ways of boostering my spirit again. I read the following passage from a book on Social Justice for Christians, and I hope you’ll be as inspired as I was.

One reporter once asked Mother Theresa, “Surely you don’t believe that you can solve world hunger.” Mother Theresa characteristically replied, “Yes I do.” The reporter was intrigued. “How can you do that?” Mother Theresa smiled and replied, “One at a time.”

“I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one. You get closer to Christ by coming closer to each other. As Jesus said ,’Whatever you do for the least of my brethren, you do to me.’ So you begin… I begin. I picked up one person – maybe if I didn’t pick up that one person I wouldn’t have picked up 42,000. The whole work is only a drop in the ocean. But if I didn’t put the drop in, the ocean will be one drop less. Same thing for you, same thing for your family, same thing in the church where you go, just begin… one, one, one.”

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. -Jesus

Off To Spain!

“I’m off to Spain, with a stopover in Rome.” Romans 15:24

Paul never got where he wanted to go. Have you ever thought about that? He didn’t reach Spain. That was his goal. That was his destination. What he perceived as a “stopover” was actually his divine destination. Instead of traveling to Spain he landed in a prison cell in Rome.

I think there is a profound lesson buried in this simple text. Where you’re at geographically or occupationally or relationally isn’t the issue! Who are you becoming? That is the issue. We tend to be more concerned with where we’re going than who we’re becoming. God is far more concerned with who we’re becoming than where we’re going. Spain isn’t the goal. For that matter, neither is Rome. The issue is who you’re becoming right here right now! All I know is this: I’d rather be the right person in the wrong place than the wrong person in the right place.

I have a simple definition of success: do the best you can with what you have where you are. If you are faithful right here and right now, then one day you might get to Spain. You might not. But you will be the kind of person God can use anywhere anytime!

Taken from the Batterson Blog.

On The Canvas of Society

Do You Love The Holy Spirit

I was part of an amazing conversation about the Holy Spirit today. Just thought I’d download a few reflections.

Ever been in the awkward situation where people are talking about you like you aren’t there but you are there? Don’t you hate that? Sometimes I wonder if that is how the Holy Spirit feels. He is the most controversial personality in the Trinity. So we argue about Him like He is some inanimate object which is really ironic because without the Holy Spirit animating us we’d implode and return to dust. Check out Job 34:15.

Can I ask a point blank question: do you love the Holy Spirit? Seriously. Do you love the Holy Spirit like you love the Father and the Son? I think we argue about Him so much in theological and denominational circles that we forget how much we need Him.

Here’s the bottom line. Without the Holy Spirit I can do NOTHING. With the Holy Spirit I can do ANYTHING. I need Him. I love Him.

You want to know how to get spiritually overwhelmed? Try to do in your own strength and wisdom what only the Holy Spirit can do! I think many of us live in the place of perpetual frustration because we assume responsibility for something that isn’t our responsibility to begin with. I can’t lead people to Christ. The Holy Spirit does that. I can’t stop sinning. The Holy Spirit does that. I can’t produce fruit. The Holy Spirit does that.

You can’t be HOLY without the HOLY Spirit.

Taken from the Batterson Blog.

A Best Friend. A Hero.

I was that injured dog. Jesus rescued me and today I live. He’s my best friend and my hero. +)