“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
Many years ago, a friend of mine was told, “You’re in high school, these are the best years of your life, enjoy them!”
After the conversation, she turned to me and said, “If these are the best years, shoot me now!”
Romans 8:18 promises us there is more than this life. How easily we get caught up in our own dilemmas! While we may suffer slightly or greatly depending on the day, we can’t allow ourselves to get caught up in the suffering. Our suffering is not worth mentioning in comparison to what Christ can do in us; through, or despite, that suffering.
God doesn’t want us sitting around, waiting to go to heaven. He wants us to utilize those everyday frustrations, get us outside ourselves, so He can use us. God wants us to see the blessings in our everyday life. He wants us to mobilize the gifts He has given us to draw ourselves and others closer to Him. How can we make the most of today?
There are so many people out there that are living with real problems. Heart-wrenching problems. Burning issues that bring tears to their eyes everyday. And sadder still, they think they have absolutely no one to turn to.
Just maybe, that “glory revealed in us” can be evidenced by us serving others despite what looms in our lives today. That despite our own disasters, disease, and difficult people we must deal with, we are able to serve others. We are able to shine through Christ.
So, if you’re blessed to have inconvenient problems and not the heart-stopping ones, then today’s your day to bless someone else. (And if you have the heart-stopping ones, let yourself be served!) A kind word, acknowledgement that maybe you don’t have the answers but you’ll take their situation to the One who does. A prayer, a meal, a compliment. Anything. It might feel small to you but it will be huge to one who is suffering. Let us remind others, they are not alone.
Please join me this Thursday, in seven days of “Doing Something.”
Please enjoy and be inspired by this song from Matthew West:
Reflections:
Monday: What problems consume me?
Tuesday: Pray about that list from Monday. How can God use those issues for good?
Wednesday: What is He calling you to focus on? Is it the issues in your life, or something else?
Thursday: What can you do today, and the next seven days, to bring light and joy into someone’s life? It can be a different ‘someone’ everyday. It can be a different ‘something’ everyday. Step outside your problems and trust God to handle them. Please share with us what you do and what you’ve learned!
Friday: Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know what consumes me, what distracts me from ‘doing something’ for others today, yesterday. Please lead me to step outside myself and help someone else today, and everyday. Because no matter what I am going through, I can still be used by You. Please use me, Lord. Amen
Thanks for reading! I will send a reminder Thursday to begin our week-long challenge of “Doing Something.” Please, share what you do and how this challenge impacts you, and the impact you’ve seen on others!
Please return by next Monday, August 4 for the next devotional.
What a beautiful post and a fantastic reminder to all of us! We can get so wrapped up in our silly worries and problems that we forget that our problems are not bigger than life and more importantly not bigger than God. Oftentimes when I begin to pity myself for whatever reason I am humbled by others who have heart wrenching problems with which they are dealing. I think God uses those people to give individuals like myself a reality check when our minds stray from the important things in life!
Thank you for putting that reminder into such a sweet voice! I think God uses others’ situations to remind me too.
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 14:53:38 +0000 To: Stefanie_L_Brown@hotmail.com