|
Listen while you read: "Am I A Soldier Of The Cross"1
(Lyrics) |
2 Timothy 4:6-8 – As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (NRSV)
As I was preparing to go on a mission trip to Honduras, I commented to my wife about how much it meant to me to go, because, for at least one week this year, I would be living the kind of life that Christ expected of me — a life involving some degree of personal sacrifice, ministering in His name to others, as He had commanded us to do. In her typical, quiet way, she reminded me that not all of us are called or are able to go on mission trips, and to experience the fulfillment that comes from this type of service. However, it is just as important, and often much harder, to live a Christian life as we go about the routines of our daily life.
Proverbs 19:14b – But a prudent wife is a gift from the Lord (NRSV)
She was right. In many ways, it is easy to be Christian when given the opportunity for the grand gesture. The real challenge comes in responding to our mundane, everyday life — the life we tend to live on automatic pilot, not considering how our actions are seen by others. My mission trip will last one week. The other 51 weeks of the year will be spent, by and large, going to work, puttering around the house, shopping, and doing the 101 other ordinary chores of daily life. As Paul reminds us, being a Christian is a long-term, lifetime calling. It is during those 51 weeks, year in and year out, that those who know us will see us and will decide, by our actions, whether or not we are truly following Christ.
Prayer: Gracious Lord, help us to understand that our faith calls us to a lifetime of service. Enable us to let Your Spirit guide us in all our actions, both great and small, so that, by all our actions, people may know that we are truly Your disciples. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook
About the author:
David Gellatly <dlgellatly3@gmail.com>
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
Send your feedback to the author
Breakthrough prayer.
Hello David. Thank you for sharing. Always good to have a reminder and your wife is right. God bless.
Wow! This one really made me think as I sit in this house and have for 5 years looking after my husband who had a stroke and has developed dementia and is totally depended on someone (me) to help him with everything he needs, from bathroom needs to dressing him and wheeling him out to breakfast and dinner. I have been thinking that I really don’t do much in the way of be a disciple for Jesus and letting others know how much He helps me because I don’t get out to volunteer or even go the church on Sunday. Maybe I am doing what God has planned for me and you got me thinking “maybe this is it”. I have been asked by a few friends (acquaintance really) why I don’t put him in a nursing home. I have answered “I might have to one day but for now with the Lord’s help I am managing quite well”. We have been married over 50 years and I promised in church when we married to love and look after each other till death we do part. I hope to be able to live up to that promise.