JC - Part IV

When Jesus' ministry began it was unpopular and he was rejected and scorned, scoffed at and ridiculed and shun even by his own apostles, at times. He faced monumental barriers and obstacles, both seen and unseen, real and spiritually. Yet despite everything, He never gave up. He never told he father no, even though he faced all the same challenges and temptations that we struggle with. When we think of Jesus we think of Him as God. Some other faiths and religions only see him as a great prophet of His time. However, Jesus' life and times here on earth were not only numbered but they were carefully purposed to serve God...Period! Besides all the many miracles, teachings, and ministry that we know of His life here on earth, how often do we remember how His life was so purposed so that we would have a true and very real example or point of reference in which to relate or rather, so that His purpose could be understood for us mere mortals? What I am asking is this: when those who share the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, do you come from a place that helps or encourages the unsaved to see in you their same struggles, strife and losses in that very real way that Jesus did?

In 2004 I was blessed with the opportunity to be part of a Mission trip to Nicaragua. It was a two week long event filled with extraordinary moments of courage, faith, failure and learning for all who went. I don't think that anyone who went on this journey came back the same as they were before they left. I, on too many occasions to be able to count found myself humbled not just by the trip itself, but through the people I went with and the people we served. When asked which ministry I felt most drawn to participate in, after careful prayer I felt God's leading to be a part of the prison ministry. After spending my entire life in my own self-imposed prison, I truly felt that His purpose for me was to share the real freedom that comes with a relationship with Jesus whether the bars are real or imagined.

When Jesus walked among the masses, they related to him not just because of the many miracles and recitations of scripture come true but also because they connected with him as someone who had experienced their sorrows, joys, struggles and strife. As we go out into the world to share the vision, message and ministry of Christ, I believe the greatest way we can do that is through sharing our common elements of similarity of experiences and that in itself draws others into understanding of the relationship of God the Father with all of His children. When God sent Christ it was the single greatest sacrifice a parent can make for His children. His willingness to allow His heavenly child to come as a man, experience as a man, struggle as a man, love as a man, but to have the wisdom and understanding of the father is beyond the extraordinary...it is the ultimate sacrifice. What parent can not relate to this? What parent would be willing to lose the one for benefit of the many? What child would be so willing to give their life so that their brothers and sisters might know a life beyond this one and so they would be able to share in the glory of God the father into eternity?

When we share our experiences with others, do we do so with a Christ like humility or is to serve an internal need for validation? Or when we share a particular hardship or battle, triumph or blessing are we doing it for self-serving, attention getting reasons? Often it is probably a bit of both. So tonight as I reflect on ministry to the youth God is preparing for me to witness to in whatever way He has decided and is within his will, I ask that you too might reflect on your life, it's challenges and hurdles, good and bad and examine how is it that God has purposed you. A purpose driven life is a life filled with profound meaning and insights; humility and learning; willingness to be out of the spot light and not in it. But one thing is clear for this blogger, it is my job as a Soldier for the Kingdom of God and the follower of my King Jesus Christ, that I take all that God has chosen or rather, that I chose, and use that to bare great witness to God, His mercy and goodness and ultimately the Hope and Love that come through sincere and faithful obedience to our King. And through that, great Faith can be planted, nurtured, and grown into a mighty oak able to withstand the elements and trials, temptations of this world so that we may enjoy the treasures in store for us in Heaven. I will not shy away from the words Jesus Christ but I will use His wisdom and leading to give me the courage and strength to follow this purposed driven life, always striving to bring glory to the kingdom of God. So, I ask you...are you willing to dig deep within you so that your purposed life will shine as an example of God's faithfulness to you and through you?

Pebble out...