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This week’s reflection on Christian witness during the COVID19 crisis has a long view and simple thesis- God is using our trials to work good in us so He can more effectively work His glory through us. Visit days 71, 77, and 83 for previous reflections on irresistible Christianity during the COVID19 crisis and share this post with a friend. Tomorrow we will resume our daily Scripture readings, meditations, and reflections. Together we will find stability in studying Scripture!  A LONG View On Mission Participation
What if today’s Christian witness to the world is learning to stand on substance rather than the superficialities of our culture? What if Christians spent as much time reflecting on what God is doing in our hearts as the culture is spending on trying to re-start society? Christians would be both distinct from non-believers during the crisis and more powerful in our witness when we resume a new normal. Imagine a return from social isolation where Christian’s no longer tie personal productivity to our identity and are not slaves to our schedules. Imagine having learned to slow down enough to have margin to stop, listen to, and love our neighbors. Picture a place where the new normal is family and friends prioritizing time for eating together and enjoying one another rather than rushing to practices, from meetings, or (name the activity that ruled your schedule before the stay home order). Imagine Christians sanctified from superficialities, standing securely IN the finished work of Jesus and ON the Word of God with a greater passion for glorifying Him and enjoying Him. How is God working in you for preparation of what He wants to do through you? A HONEST view on mission formation Paul teaches Christians should rejoice in present struggles because trials lead to proven character (Romans 5:2-5) and a glory that will be revealed. (Romans 8:18) James adds that trials test faith and produce steadfastness, leading to completion and fullness. (James 1:2-4) Peter joins the chorus teaching that Christians can rejoice in present trials knowing they will result in greater glory and honor for Jesus when He returns in the future. (1 Peter 1:6-7) We must embrace the unified Apostolic witness on a right perspective of trials for a more fruitful witness tomorrow. God is using our trials as a process for working good in us in order to work glory through us. God works through process for formation of His people for faithful mission participation. Joseph was in a pit and prison before the palace. Moses was a shepherd for forty years before returning to Egypt to lead God’s people to the promise land. Hannah was barren for years before God gave her Samuel. David was a fugitive in the wilderness before becoming king of Israel. Mordecai prepared Esther before she could lead as a queen, “For such a time as this…!” Jesus went to the wilderness forty days and did not begin His public ministry until He was thirty. Peter was a disciple for three years and needed to deny Jesus, find restoration after the resurrection, and then be filled with the Holy Spirit before he was ready to lead. The point- Trials are God’s process of preparation for the shaping of His servants for more faithful and fruitful service. How is God working IN us now, shaping us for His service tomorrow? A PRACTICAL view on sanctification for mission For many this season of social isolation is challenging whether or not we REALLY believe the work of Jesus is enough, the sovereignty of Jesus is trustworthy, the shepherding care of Jesus sufficient for provision, and the promises of Jesus true. CS Lewis challenges Christians in A Grief Observed when he writes, “You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death. It is easy to say you believe a rope to be strong and sound as long as you are merely using it to cord a box. But suppose you had to hang by that rope over a precipice. Wouldn’t you then first discover how much you really trusted it?” Our world is rightfully grieving the loss of hopes, dreams, plans, and most painfully, people but what if this grieving gives way to a new normal? What if we can trust Jesus to be working in our grief for our good and His glory? Again, CS Lewis from A Grief Observed, “Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape.” The terrain of our lives has shifted but how do we discover a new landscape through the seismic shift of this season? NEEDTOBREATHE’s song Bridges Burn is particularly pointed for our purposes. The chorus challenges Christians to leave everything that hurts, ensuring we never go back to the way things were by watching our bridges burn, standing in the rain until the page is turned to dance in the light of a lesson learned. Listen to the song HERE. Are we so eager for the rain of our trial to stop we are not learning the lessons our Lord wants to teach us? Are we too eager to go back to the way things were, even the superficialities which hurt our love for God and love for neighbors? Lisa and I want this COVID19 crisis to end but we do not want ourselves or fellow Christians to miss the moment, to welcome trials, to embrace proven character and steadfastness, to increase glory and honor for Jesus when we resume a new normal. Grief over present circumstances gives way to a new landscape for tomorrow and we can trust the rope of God’s promises as we hang over the precipice of an uncertain tomorrow. We are free to burn the bridges that led to the pain of our past idolatrous participation and welcome the fire of The Holy Spirit for sanctification. Please join us in prayer: Father, with the Psalmist we pray, “Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me (with trials) and know my thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.” Give us security in the sovereignty of our loving Father and the finished work of Jesus Christ to trust the helping of The Holy Spirit in sanctification. We welcome your sanctification and ask for you to give us hearts to receive, eyes to see, and ears to hear. Help us to know your grace is sufficient and your power is made perfect in our weaknesses. We do not know how long this crisis will last but we do know we want you to sanctify us through the struggle that we may more faithfully and fruitfully serve you on the other side. We long for Jesus to receive greater glory and honor. Please have mercy to this end. Lord, do what you need to do in us so you can do what you want to do through us. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN. Comments are closed.
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