Spiritual Formation
Pastor Tim said, “If we are going to make a difference in our city….we cannot do it unless we are being formed into the image of Christ ourselves.” I was out of town and listened to the sermon online a few days later. How true was this statement! My daughter had gone in for surgery at UNC and things began to fall apart when she was in recovery. Her blood pressure dropped very low and both lungs collapsed. It was a scary time! When the nurses came out to take me to the consultation room to wait for a doctor, I fell apart. They could not tell me that she was alright. As I sat in that little room, alone, I thought about just falling on the floor in pure panic. I felt helpless and I felt alone. Within a few seconds I heard, “Never will I leave you nor will I forsake you.” God spoke to me through His Word! Hebrews 13: 5! I was not alone and neither was my daughter.
I also remembered my biggest take away from revival. Give thanks when your child goes through adversity because that is when they grow. I could give thanks for my hard times but I decided that week to start thanking God for the tough times my kids go through. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16: 18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Understand this, I am not wanting tough times for my kids but tough times are going to happen to all of our children. That is part of life. So, I am trying to thank Him, during those tough times, for how He will use these times. God wastes nothing. Romans 8: 28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
While I was outside at UNC Hospital I saw a girl who appeared to be in her late 20’s. She appeared angry because of her loud voice and bad language. She was alone, fussing, and later I would see her with someone else, still appearing angry. At first I was aggravated that I had to hear it. But then I thought, I have no idea what she is going through. Who is she visiting at the hospital? Then I thought of the sermon series and how much hurt is in this world. The pandemic caused overdoses to increase by 36% in our state. People are hurting and are trying to numb themselves. I hurt from 2020 and 2021 has been worse! If I did not have Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior I can guarantee you I would be angry. I would be angry about a lot of things. While I am not happy about these things, I am trusting God because I know He is in charge. To be able to use us, God has to form us into His image. 1 Timothy 4: 7-8, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
As Christians, we are to watch what we do because people are watching. Just as I watched that girl and decided she was angry. When people look at me what do they see? 1 Peter 2:12, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” When we try to make a difference the devil is going to fight us - this is Spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6: 11-12, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Think back on your life and the times that God spoke to you through His Word. Let’s stay in His Word so we will have the tools we need when tough times come. We should try to live a good life even though we are in a corrupt world because our lives show God’s mercy and grace. Our relationship to God is a living testimony of how good we think He is!