Okay, Lord... You Have Our Attention
Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing
This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous-
“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What Next?”
What is next?
We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, you warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have,
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor,
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are you taking it?
We’re listening. And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?
Of course you can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we.
Through Christ,
Amen
God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day,
and he will not be slow to answer them. (Lk. 18:7 NCV)
Just a note to tell you that I am really enjoying this series. I believe it is straight from God to my heart. He has opened my eyes to Him through the thoughts you have shared.
ReplyDeleteI have been especially convicted by the thought that I am an American Christian not vice versa. My primary citizenship is heavenly not earthly. I have known that in my head but it didn't really hit home practically speaking until Sunday.
And the thought that my decisions and prayers should be focused on what is best for God's kingdom not my earthly kingdom was also convicting. I want to be comfortable and have the things the way they will make me the happiest. But I am not promised comfort or happiness. God's purpose for me (and we as Christians) on earth is not for us but for Him... for his glory... for the spreading of his kingdom. My comfort and happiness are way down on the list of God's priorities.
And another reminder has been that God is in control. I have felt that conviction several times over the past month, but I was really reminded on Sunday. 1 Peter 1:3-5, Psalm 46:1-2 and Psalm 91:1-2-- all reminders from God's word to trust God, he's got everything under control, even when I don't understand.