As I was writing the teacher’s assignment on the board a teenage girl looked at me and asked me, “Are you really a preacher?” I responded, “Yes.” She then asked me, “How do you know there is really a God?” What was I to say? How was I to answer such a question? Did I proceed to give her some theological or philosophical answer? Was I to lay out the best scientific and historical evidence for the proof that there is a God? Should I just say “Because the Bible says so?”
To complicate the matter, this young girl shared wih me how her dad had died when she was fourteen years old. As a result she had tried to fill the void, emptiness, and pain that was left inside her by turning to the things of the world. Now understand, I have been in ministry twenty-four years, a seminary graduate wih a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies, and currently a pastor of a new church start. Still I was at a loss how to answer this question from someone who had experienced so much pain over her few years. As best I could, I tried to answer her question.
As I sat pondering my response, I began to think about Jesus’ life. What was the one thing Jesus did that caused people to follow Him? Was it the many miracles He performed? Was it His teachings, or great wisdom? While I believe all of these are important, I believe the greatest thing that impacted and caused them to follow Him was His love for people.
People can always debate you about scientific and historical evidence. They can ridicule your faith, but they cannot deny the love of Christ that flows from your life. It is the love of Christ that impacted a small tax collector named Zacchaeus. It was the love of Christ that extended mercy to a woman caught in adultery. It was the love of Christ that extended compassion to those with leprosy.
In conclusion, what is the greatest proof for the existence of God? It is the pure, perfect love of Christ that flows through us to a world that is asking, “How Do You Know God Exists?”
As the world watched, Usain Bolt celebrated after winning the gold medal in the 100 meter race at the Olympics held in Beijing, China. Not only had he earned the title as the world’s fastest man, he did it in a world record time of 9.69 seconds! However, there was something unique about Usain Bolt’s celebration. He began celebrating and slowing down even before he crossed the finished line. This left those in the track and field world wondering just what the world record might have been if he had finished as strong as he had started. Instead of running to his full potential, Usain Bolt chose to relax and enjoy the victory.
Many believers live their Christian life just like Usain Bolt chose to run the 100 meter race. They start the race strong and full of energy, but intead of living up to their potential they decide at some point to slow down and just enjoy the victory before they cross the finish line. This type of approach to the Christian life goes directly against the words of the apostle Paul. Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:6-7, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul would have not understood the mentality of many believers today who would say “I have done my duty,” or “I have retired, I am just going to rest and relax now.” Paul served Christ with every ounce of energy he had to the end of his life. There was no coasting or premature celebration.
How are you serving Christ today? Are you serving Him as strongly as you once did? Are you serving Him with all your energy, looking to cross the finish line as strongly as you started the race? Or are you just looking to finish? Listen to the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Do you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
Life in America today is full of alot of questions. How high will gas prices rise? Will I lose my job? When will the housing market recover? Will the wars against terror in Afghanistan and Iraq ever end? Who will be the next President? We live in a very uncertain time. Many of us have never experienced more uncertainty in our lives. How can even the most optimistic person be expected to face the future with any type of certainty or optimism? For the unbeliever it may be difficult, but for the believer the answer can be found in the words of the prophet Isaiah.
In the first six chapters of Isaiah, God has been delivering His message of judgement upon the people for their sins. God will continue to speak His message of judgement throughout the rest of the first thirty-nine chapters. In chapter six verse one we are told that King Uzziah has died. This would have caused great uncertainty in the people of Isaiah’s day. There would have been alot of questions being asked about the future.
However, in the same verse Isaiah makes a statement that can cause believers to have hope and face the future with certainty. Isaiah says, “I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” What a powerful statement for the people of Isaiah’s time and for us today. No matter how uncertain things may appear, there is always one thing we can know for sure: God is on the throne and in control.
If you are facing difficult circumstances in your life right now, or if you are nervous about what the future may hold for you or our nation, just remember the words of Isaiah: God is still on the throne and in control.
It is amazing how God uses everyday activities to teach some of the greatest truths! Over the past two years I have become somewhat of an amateur landscaper. I am not a threat to any professional landscaper, but I do like to dabble. Recently, early in the morining, I was watering the flowers in my yard. In the quietness of the morning, the Lord began to speak to my heart. I noticed how beautiful the flowers had become over the weeks. The flowers with their bright colors lit up the yard like a beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky.
As I marveled at God’s wonderful creation, the Holy Spirit brougth to mind the words of the apostle Paul 1 Corinthians 3:6, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was casuing the growth.” Even though I had planted and watered the flowers it was God who caused them to grow. Too many times we lose sight of this truth in our lives. We can spend all of our life laboring, but unless the Holy Spirit is involved in our labor, our labor will be useless. The beauty of a flower comes from the creative hand of God. God allows us to join Him in His work and enjoy the blessing of the labor.
As followers of Christ we must never forget that it is God who allows us to join in His redemptive work of salvation. Some will plant the seeds of the gospel message, others will nurture the seeds that have been planted, but it is God who causes the growth so that both the one who plants and the one who waters will enjoy the blessings.
So the next time you are are working in your yard or enjoying the sights and smells of a beautiful flower garden, remember that it is God who takes the message of Christ and nurtures it so that any life can turn into a beautiful flower.