Let this grandma talk to you for a few minutes about some pretty natural things that have great spiritual value. Let me suggest that the natural things a person wishes for when they are young, namely a husband or wife and a family are not carnal or unspiritual, but are actually desires that God has wired into us as an important part of His will for us, for himself and His kingdom.
What did Jesus labor for? What did He die for? What was He resurrected for?
He labored to reach the PEOPLE He had created with the good news of the Gospel of the kingdom.
He died to get rid of the sin that separated us (PEOPLE) from our God; so that we could repent, have our sins remitted and be reconciled to the Father. (Isa. 59:2, Mk 1:4)
He rose from the dead as a victor over death, sin and hell, making the way for us (PEOPLE) to also have eternal life. Matt. 1:21, Matt. 9:6, Matt.26:28, Heb. 2:14, Rev. 1:8
What does being a husband, a wife, a mother or father have to do with ministry or the will of God for our lives?
A study of the human body reveals much about the plan and purpose of the creator. Christians the world over may say they want to do the will of God, yet not understand that they can begin by simply doing what they were created to do. The human body tells us of the need and plan for male and female to unite. The muscular build of the man is better suited for physical labor that requires strength of body. The woman's body, while for the most part, is weaker, as far as the muscular make up, has one organ of immense power which is the womb. Her physical make up is intricately connected to her mental, emotional and hormonal make up. All these are designed for the carrying of, nurturing of and supply of every need of new life. She is an incubator. She is a human growing machine of the most amazing ability, quality and function.
The instincts of a man urge him to protect and provide, those that he loves; those that are his; a reflection of God the Father who watches over and cares and provides for us.
In these things alone, so much can be seen and understood of the heart and purpose of God.
Yet too often these are devalued in our society today. While people cry out to God to show them His will, marriage and childbearing, mothering and fathering are seen as options. Often they are probably not even considered as the known and accepted will of God. But a person need not even ask God if it is His will for them to marry and bear children. Rather, if it were not, one should expect God to tell them this specifically, for He himself has designed them for that very function and He was not wasting His time or just experimenting when He made us as He did and said that it was good. Gen. 1:31
But we so often look for something that will gain the acclaim of men; something that will amaze them and gain their adoration. We look for fulfillment in some accomplishment that will stand out and be noticed; be considered exceptional.
Dear child of God, to gain God's approval, is to value what He values and not to look at the world or listen to the god of this world.
God created people. He gave people life and dominion. He took on himself the sins of people, so that they could repent and be restored to the Father.
It is people He loves above "things".
It is people that Jesus laid down His life for!
There are no greater treasures to be had than a relationship with God and with His 'people".
And He, the almighty, the creator, the Savior, the lamb that was slain, the lion of the tribe of Judah, and the author and finisher of our faith -
has given man seed that he may produce, what God originally created, PEOPLE!
He has given woman the blessed ability and privilege of receiving that seed , planting it in her protected garden and growing that most loved and treasured gift from God and for God - PEOPLE!
But some might say. "It is a tiring and often thankless job! Wherein is the glory and acclaim?
But have you not asked to be like Jesus? Was His job not tiring and often thankless? Did he not get rejected by the very ones He gave himself for? Yet He labored, He gave, He suffered, bled and died for that which He valued most! PEOPLE! And it was HE who gave you the ability to produce the Heritage of the Lord; souls for His kingdom; those He loves!
Each child carried in our womb and delivered into our hands, is one more person who can know and glorify the Lord; one more person who can have relationship with the Father, love and be loved.
And each baby we hold in our arms and nurse at our breast is one person who can begin to learn of the love of God, His heart and His character from us. Each is one more gift for our Savior and a treasure of His heart.
Lay not up treasures on earth, but rather bring souls into the kingdom of God.
Matt. 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. 7 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
The only thing I know that will go to heaven with us, is another person.
If we can accept this one ministry, this one calling and see that it IS the will of God; His very plan and design, then we can see what else He might have in mind for us. But first things first.
Start with basics and accept the Word of God which says that -
Ps. 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
Let us begin to build the kingdom of God first at home. Each child we reach for God will reach others.
For those who are past childbearing years, do not have children or are unmarried, you can still value people and relationships above all the other things of earth. You can still walk this earth with the mind and heart of God, which was the ministry of reconciliation to the Father. You do not have to buy into the lie that any career, any fame, or any position that men honor, is of more value or should demand more of your heart and time than to love the people Christ died for and to reach them for Him.
How rich are you? If you are born again and have a close relationship with God, if you have people in your life who you love and are loved by, if you are reaching souls for Christ and His kingdom, then you are a very wealthy individual!
Remember we are pilgrims traveling to the place where our citizenship lies. Our eternal home will have enough beauty and joy. Let us take up our cross, even though it mean weary days and thankless work, as far as men go. It will be worth the eternal rewards and hearing our Savior say well done. Our days of rest and rejoicing are yet to come. But even while we travel; even as we labor, God gives us rest and joy unspeakable and full of glory!
No comments:
Post a Comment