Made to Serve God

Instead of living my life thinking of what God can do for me, I know I ought to think of what I can do for God. The thought gives me pause, because so much of my life is vested in ensuring my family is prosperous, and that we have the ability to go places, do fun things. Yet the pressures of the downfall in the economy has affected us greatly, in that at times we are barely scraping by. We worry about finances, job security, and our health. Where is God in all of this? Well, he's alongside us. Sometimes it can be hard to remember that.

There are constant struggles from which we are not spared.

I can choose to become embittered by them, or use them as growth opportunities. So while I don't know why we have to endure a negative bank account balance, in spite of not spending needlessly and dutifully paying our bills, I know that the experience constantly keeps me humble and trusting God to grant us the wisdom in finding a way out. I know God only gives us what we can handle. We're not going it alone. God is in our midst. But do we always acknowledge Him?

It's tough, I'll admit. When things are good, we tend to go out and have fun as a family. When we're lean in the pockets, we stick close to home and grumble about where we are. During those darker times, it is such as struggle to find the positives. But here's what I think we've often done wrong, and it's just part of being human. When in pain, we retreat. From others, from reality, and sometimes from God. We are most vulnerable, trying to protect ourselves from further hurt. We are mad that we are inadequate to solve our own problems.

As a Christian, I realize that living a selfishlife profits nothing and simply rots the mind. Dissatisfaction with life is an overwhelmingly unanimous trait of the rich. There is a connection! Wealth + Power do not equal happiness! Material gain doesn't make a person closer to God. It easily distracts you from Him, wanting you to think only of what you have and what you desire. How do you then have time for God?

Wealth itself is a blessing. Being poor is not necessarily a curse.

How is this so? Attitude and motive. That is why it is so important for you to learn from your experiences, so then you can counsel others who are currently dealing with the same things. You are able to share how God led you through everything. No matter what your problems are, there is always someone else worse-off than you! Those who are poor can best empathize with others' suffering. They also know how to value the simple things in life that the wealthy often overlook. Both sides can teach and be of good. Both can serve the Lord together!

True living is living for God--being selfless, spreading Jesus' love, and doing every task to God's glory.

When I've had problems, I don't always look to help others. But I've noticed that when I do, my stress disappears, I have a better outlook, and I'm more receptive to hearing God's instructions for my life. I may be broken, but I can pray for healing for my family, friends, and even strangers to take my mind off of my problems. And learning of those answered prayers for others not only strengthens my faith, but also reminds me that God provides. It's when I'm not thinking about myself that my issues are resolved. I want to see joy in others' lives. When they are blessed, God is praised. New believers emerge. How can I be so blind as to ignore the blessings? Why should I not share that joy and power?

It is up to each of us to create a life's journey with meaning. No matter if the body fails, loved ones are gone, and we are in the hands of authorities. God is more powerful than any evil thing on this Earth, and one day we shall all be rewarded with the blessing of seeing what our lives have reaped in Christ's name.