I have to admit that I complained to God about the serious pieces I’ve been writing. It was not my style, but it was my purpose to deliver those messages.
For over a week, I struggled writing this piece, though. It started with Daniel 11 and how the evil one will use the antichrist to ‘take over the world’. But for too long, I’ve lived in fear of inevitable things, and I already picked the title of this piece.
In Daniel 12, we find the hope this world is so longing for: The return of our Lord Jesus Christ, our King. We read in Daniel 12:12 (KJV), ‘Blessed is he that waiteth…” Waiting indicates that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen. But till then we need to allow the Holy Spirit to do the good work within us.
Waiting can be hard to do, especially if you feel anxious or even excited. However, when God works within us, this period feels as if time is flying past us. So, what happens within this waiting period?
When you accept Jesus Christ into your heart, you are made clean of all impurities, which is symbolized in the act of baptism. My question to you, my brother or sister, have you been baptized? For those who believe that they don’t need to be baptized, know that Jesus, Himself gave the instruction. Jesus final words to his disciples were, “go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19, KJV). Imagine yourself as a piece of wood. Before one can start working on this wood one need to sand it down to get rid of all the roughness and unevenness (impurities). That is to get the wood (you) ready for the drawing stage…
As a ‘new Christian’ you will find that you will read the Word of God or listen to biblical messages on TV or radio. This is the pencil drawing God is creating on you. You don’t see the picture and are mostly oblivious to the fact. The text verses you are focusing on are those applicable to you and your life. This is where the parable of the sower comes in. Jesus explains in Matthew 13 that some will hear the news, and not believe, others will believe and when hard times befalls the person he or she will be ‘offended.’ Then there are those who also believe, but because of all the worries and cares of this world, and the worldly riches, the person becomes entrapped in the lies of this world. The greatest lie of all is that your worth is bound to what you do and how much you earn.
It is the ones who truly believe in God and that He will do the good works within them, who will persevere. In Matthew 13:23 (KJV), Jesus says, “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
I’ve recently started pyrography, the burning on wood. I find this form of art a great metaphor for how God works within us. It is a fine art to try and master. If the tip is to hot the wood will burn away, and if too cold you will struggle for ages getting the picture right…
In this process, we find a lot of doubt. Thoughts like, am I doing this, right? Am I good enough? Am I doing enough? Am I on the right path? However, take solace in the fact that everyone walking this path do feel this too. Paul writes to the Corinthians that we need to hold on to hope for, “he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope”(1 Corinthians 9:10, KJV).
Burning: Ever burned your finger on something hot? Of course, you did. It is a painful feeling. The burning is also maybe the hardest part of a Christian’s journey. The Word of God is being burned into your mind (forehead). “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads” (Revelations 22:4, KJV). The Holy Spirit cleans out all impurities. It is like spring-cleaning. While reading the Word, you will feel a certain conviction on your heart. God is trying to tell you something. Are you listening?
Do you need to forgive people in your life? Do you need to say I’m sorry for what you might have done to others?
Remember: Pride says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’
Humility says, ‘I’m sorry. How can I make this right?’
Jesus teaches us to, “take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:29, KJV). He imparts this just after the promise “come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Why must I do all this forgiving and asking forgiveness? – you might ask. You will say that Jesus already has forgiven our sins. Yes, we have a graceful Lord, but it is in your actions as a Christian in which your true value lies. Jesus said, “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, KJV).
This, however, is not to condemn you, but to set you free. Jesus declared that “he that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:18-21, KJV).
The evil one uses this truth that one keeps tucked away against you. Every time he wants to sling mud at you, the thoughts and actions that you keep hidden away are used. Stop giving the evil one ammunition and take that step. God is with you after all…
After being purified in the fire our true picture appear. We can finally see it clearly. God has done a Good Work from within us… But this takes time, hence the waiting. The final product is what the world will see and would long for… although you will still be rough around the edges, your true value has changed. Is this journey not worth the effort?
My prayer for you today is that you will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and that you will ask Him to forgive your sins and that He will do a Good Work within you. Forgive those who have trespassed against you and ask those you have hurt, to forgive you. #GodCanDoThis
Lightbearer's Quest 