swim against the tide. Each carries its own set of obstacles. Each has its own challenges and opportunities. We each have been given everything we need to meet the obstacles, challenges and opportunites before us.
With God as my strength, Jesus as Lord of my life, and His Spirit as my guide, I am able to do all things through Him to accomplish the plan He has set before me. It does not matter what the status quo does. It does not matter how many "yays" I receive--nor how many "nays". With faith and perseverance, I will complete the task set before me if I desire to be in the center of God's will. Me. Personally.
I am a fortunate person. God has not given me the task of seminary president, of theologian, of professor, of trustee or statesman. Nor has God given me the task of shepherding a flock, or accounting for another's spending habits. God will not hold me accountable for an abortionist's hands, a thief's exploits, or a friend's choices. He holds me accountable for me...for what I do and say...for what I do not do, and do not say as an ambassador for Christ.
He won't judge me based upon Dorothy Patterson's awesome hospitality abilities, nor will He judge me based upon my step-mother's failures. He will not judge me by Beth Moore's popularity or Joyce Meyer's following. He will not reward me according to their success or failure--their pride or humility.
I cannot stand before God and explain what others did that kept me from my own actions or inactions. I cannot stand before God and blame the status quo, the majority or the minority. I can only account for myself. My attitude. My actions. My words. My silence. My inaction. What do I do to ease another's pain? to meet another's needs? to quench another's thirst? What do I say to another's harshness? another's anger and bitterness? What do I return for hatred I encounter? for unkindness I find?
Whether I go with the flow or swim against the tide, life is going on--changing with or without my say-so. This day, this hour, is mine to squander or invest in the kingdom of God. It is my deepest prayer that I be found faithful to Him, to His instructions, to His Word...come what may...no matter what another does or says. selahV
