You’ve probably heard of the popular game show titled, “In It to Win It”. The gist of the show is to play a series of games that get more difficult as the stakes get higher, in hopes of winning the grand prize of a million dollars. The contestants have to weigh the odds before moving on to the next challenge, knowing they could lose the money they have accrued (until they get to a certain guaranteed level). The question is, do they want to take a risk and keep going, or do they stop and be content with what they have.
The rules of this game remind me of the Christian faith. Do we want to “play it safe” and stay at an infant level, keeping our salvation to ourselves (having just enough of Jesus to keep us out of hell, but not so much as to impact another life), or do we want to live a full, purposeful life – one that glorifies God and draws others to Him.
The Bible is full of biblical greats who were “in it to win it”. Paul suffered untold beatings and imprisonment for his faith, yet he wasn’t deterred. Instead, it seemed the more he was punished the more encouraged he was. Paul even gave us hints as to how to stay in the race, by “throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” He also added, “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Another biblical great was Esther. She was confronted by Mordecai (her uncle who adopted her) to step out in faith, risking her life to save the Jewish people. Mordecai challenged her by asking:
“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
For such a time as this…
Those six words have been forefront in my thoughts for months, as I prepare for my mission’s trip to Africa. Whenever a new fear would arise concerning the situation, I would hear those six confirming words and would instantly be filled with peace. Then, just last week, as the mission’s director distributed our team tee-shirts, chills ran up and down my spine as I read the theme at the bottom of our shirts, “For such a time as this.” More confirmation; I love the way God works.
After Esther decided to obey the mission God had for her, and before stepping out in faith, she also added another set of powerful words… “If I perish, I perish.” Esther had finally allowed her heart to be molded by God to the place where He could truly use her. In response, God gave her favor and not only spared her life, but lifted her to the position of queen. For me, the message is clear: 1) God orders our steps, 2) we are in a battle, and 3) the time is short.
Each one of us is in a race to share the gospel while there is still time. The heart attitude that God is searching for, and that pleases Him, is one where we are completely sold out to Him. Where our words and actions speak loudly that, “we are in it to win it; for such a time as this; and, if we perish, we perish”. To God be the glory!
Do you not 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. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
In it to win it,
Connie
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Everlasting Evergreens
Dusk was falling and the dishes were piled high that evening in late October. As I filled the kitchen sink of our old country home with hot soapy water, I felt compelled to keep looking out the kitchen window. Our tree farm was dotted with thousands of sweet-smelling pine trees and evergreens. They looked beautiful to me, yet the previous owner told us they were unmarketable because they hadn’t been trimmed for years.
“Maybe we should bulldoze them and start over,” my husband Chuck had begrudgingly suggested.
I couldn’t believe they were worthless. With the soft light of dusk shadowing their majestic frames, the trees seemed alive to me and glowed with an ominous allure.
I continued washing the dishes, yet my mind was on the pines. Then, out of nowhere, I heard a luring voice inside me say, “Walk among those trees and pray over them.”
I obediently peeled off my gloves and without a word to anyone, slipped quietly out the front door.
The air was cool and crisp and smelled of rich earth and heady pine as I made my way through row after row of Norway spruces and white pines. How I loved that holiday scent and the happy, carefree, childhood memories of Christmas past it conjures. Add to that the fact that pine trees don’t completely shed their needles, giving a sense of permanence and stability, was comforting, as well.
I found myself connecting to the trees in a way I never had before. They were part of God’s creation, alive and vibrant. Like me they weren’t perfect, yet they still had a reason for being. I noticed the matted grass under the trees, evidence of where deer had rested. And I heard the light rustling of feathers as birds settled in for the night in the thick pine boughs. I realized these trees were being used by God to bring protection to His creation. Suddenly Psalms 148: 7 and 9 filled my heart: Praise the Lord from the earth… you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars.
I prayed over the trees, thanked God for them, and asked Him to bring us a buyer. I knew in my heart the trees had worth, and with the many expenses of the farm we needed the money. Even though I had previously contacted several nursery owners and none were interested (including our friend, Bill), I still had hope.
As I descended the hill toward home I thought of Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God had shown me the needs of His creation and that He was taking care of them. He knows our needs, too, and will take care of us.
Chuck was on the porch as I ran up to him, exclaiming, “I was praying over the pine trees. I know they are worth something.”
“Okay, Honey. I’ll call Bill again tomorrow if it’ll make you feel better,” he responded, half-teasingly.
At that moment the phone rang. I expected it to be Bill… and it was!
When Chuck finished talking to him, he shook his head in disbelief. “Bill wanted to know…if we still had some trees for sale.” Chuck paused and swallowed hard. “He has an interested buyer.”
God will supply all our needs. Our part is to walk with Him and be obedient, trusting in His perfect timing.
“Maybe we should bulldoze them and start over,” my husband Chuck had begrudgingly suggested.
I couldn’t believe they were worthless. With the soft light of dusk shadowing their majestic frames, the trees seemed alive to me and glowed with an ominous allure.
I continued washing the dishes, yet my mind was on the pines. Then, out of nowhere, I heard a luring voice inside me say, “Walk among those trees and pray over them.”
I obediently peeled off my gloves and without a word to anyone, slipped quietly out the front door.
The air was cool and crisp and smelled of rich earth and heady pine as I made my way through row after row of Norway spruces and white pines. How I loved that holiday scent and the happy, carefree, childhood memories of Christmas past it conjures. Add to that the fact that pine trees don’t completely shed their needles, giving a sense of permanence and stability, was comforting, as well.
I found myself connecting to the trees in a way I never had before. They were part of God’s creation, alive and vibrant. Like me they weren’t perfect, yet they still had a reason for being. I noticed the matted grass under the trees, evidence of where deer had rested. And I heard the light rustling of feathers as birds settled in for the night in the thick pine boughs. I realized these trees were being used by God to bring protection to His creation. Suddenly Psalms 148: 7 and 9 filled my heart: Praise the Lord from the earth… you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars.
I prayed over the trees, thanked God for them, and asked Him to bring us a buyer. I knew in my heart the trees had worth, and with the many expenses of the farm we needed the money. Even though I had previously contacted several nursery owners and none were interested (including our friend, Bill), I still had hope.
As I descended the hill toward home I thought of Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God had shown me the needs of His creation and that He was taking care of them. He knows our needs, too, and will take care of us.
Chuck was on the porch as I ran up to him, exclaiming, “I was praying over the pine trees. I know they are worth something.”
“Okay, Honey. I’ll call Bill again tomorrow if it’ll make you feel better,” he responded, half-teasingly.
At that moment the phone rang. I expected it to be Bill… and it was!
When Chuck finished talking to him, he shook his head in disbelief. “Bill wanted to know…if we still had some trees for sale.” Chuck paused and swallowed hard. “He has an interested buyer.”
God will supply all our needs. Our part is to walk with Him and be obedient, trusting in His perfect timing.
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