Yes, she is a cartoon drawing, but she's got it -- she's got what we need down to an art form.
What am I talking about?
I'm talking about letting God do what He wants to do in you because it is vital to you, your family, everyone you know, the community at large and the world.
Author Douglas Connelly writes in his Elijah study, "God used difficult circumstances to cultivate a radical faith in his servant."
That quote speaks to me. This world, our families, our friends, our communities need us to have that kind of radical faith that believes no matter what in the face of impossible situations.
They won't get that kind of belief from the world. They won't get it from self-help courses. The only power that can move mountains and change the course of a person's life is found in Jesus Christ and believing in Him. Do you know that in John 6 Jesus says, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
Our lives are stories others are watching. When we believe no matter what; when we wait expectantly and don't give up; when we hold onto God when everyone and everything around us says we are being stupid and illogical and not practical whatsosever; when we have this kind of faith it changes those who watch us. We don't even have to tell them. We just have to believe and trust radically when we want to quit.
Think about it -- think about the movies, the TV shows, the online videos, the books, the stories you've heard that have stayed with you. Those stories that stayed with you moved you. They spoke to your heart. They changed your life because you entered into the stories and allowed them to speak truth into that soft tender part of your heart and mind.
That's what our lives do in other people. Oh, it is great to talk about Jesus. Do it as much as you can. It is great to share the gospel verbally or in written form. Again, do that as much as you can.
But the real power is in how you live your life. Will you believe no matter what? Will you let God cultivate that radical faith in you so He can use your life as a story that lifts Him up; a story that draws people to Him; a story that shares the kind of truth that will sink into the hearts of those watching and studying the way you live?
I am amazed how God will use our lives. We are the vessels. He is the oil. We are the lamp. He is the light. We are the object -- He is the power within.
Believe!
Believe when you feel like quitting.
Believe when it is impossible.
Believe. Please keep believing. We need you to believe. That one person in your life needs you to believe. Your family needs you to believe. Your church needs you to believe. Your fellow employees need you to believe.
Believe no matter what!
Please!