Who Has Forgotten Who?

Our daily lives are centered around conversation. Whether you’re a factory worker, a stock broker on Wall Street, or a cashier at a department store, conversation happens everywhere all the time. Part of my job requires me to do alot of listening. Realistically I am a firm follower of the 80/20 rule which states I listen 80% of the time and talk 20%. You would be very surprised at what you will learn and how you can help others when listening verses merely speaking. One thing I hear over and over again amongst Christians like myself is issues they are struggling with. They tell me “I keep praying about this but I still don’t know what to do”, or “I’m about to lose my mind and my control if this day gets any worse”. Really, the list of struggle goes on and on. I use to respond back to those people with “I know, let me tell you what I’m dealing with”. To be honest with you, I still do chime in every now and again until I am reminded of a few important pieces of scripture that keep me on the right path. In the middle of my biggest complaints I am often times stopped and reminded “I am a child of God, I am created to imitate Him, not imitate the world.” Here’s the thing:  if we’re not imitating God we will find ourselves in situations we do not want to be in. Furthermore, we will find ourselves in situations God does not want us to be in either. Things like slander, gossip, hatred, jealously, lust all lead us away from the light and into the darkness. When we think about the problem that we just can’t seem to get past, we first need to think about how we ended up there in the first place. There is a chance some problems could have been avoided if you would have said no to the flesh and instead imitated God. “I know this already, you may say”. If we know what we need to do,then why do we  keep allowing sin to have the upper hand on our faith? Sometimes we need to lean back on Jesus’ words when he says, “he who has ears, let them hear!”

Ephesians 4:30 tells us to not bring sorrow upon God by the way we live. Earlier in chapter 4 Paul tells us to throw off our old selves and let the spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. If these verses make you feel the way I do, you want to run full speed towards God with a perseverance that no one can stop! However, as we know, some people will try to assure you you’re right in handling a situation even when God says you’re not. Believe it or not, this happens amongst Christians ALL THE TIME. It’s as simple as going back to imitating God and not the world. I have learned it is better to take your issue to God and submit yourself to understanding the scriptures than to gain peaceful assurance through the words of someone else. It literally does not matter how comfortable someone else makes you feel about your struggle, rather, it’s more important to know what God says about how you might’ve gotten there and how you can be restored.  Back to my point on Ephesians 4:30….We cannot experience the full release of God’s will for our lives if we’re living in some ways that displease Him. Others will tell you you’re right, they will tell you comforting things to put your mind at ease. But at the end of the day the only way out is to follow God so closely you begin to think and act like Him. Throwing away anger and rage and replacing it for a drink of his grace. Yes, there will be situations you cannot get out of or did not cause, but keep a close eye on your response knowing it will have a huge contribution towards the outcome. 

In closing, I want to ask you, do you feel like God has forgotten you, or is holding an answers from you? The truth is he is not. Who has forgotten who in this situation? Has God went back on his promise to bring you peace and clarity? Or, have you forgotten to imitate God, to submit to Him and all ways, and experience the peace of understanding? I do not know what storm you’re currently in today, but I do know changes in the response and redirection of your energy will lead you to a peaceful conclusion. Keep chasing God. Question your reaction and your responses to everything to determine whether or not they are from God. Above all things, imitate Him.