The Struggle
The dilemma is ever before me. How to be proactive, yet not act ahead of God? While the Creator God made man to be creative, the question is how does man create in harmony with the Creator?
Abraham was promised a son. He acted independently and Ishmael was born. In due time God ordained a different plan and Isaac was born as the true heir. The result of Abraham’s getting ahead of God is cause of enmity and hatred until the present time.
On the other hand, Nehemiah grieved that the walls of Jerusalem laid waste after 100 years. He prayed and fasted, asked God for favor, asked the king for favor, set out to Jerusalem, rallied the people, offered them a dream, and corrected a 100 year-old problem in 52 days. I have searched where God told Nehemiah to assume this responsibility and cannot find it. He dreamed. He acted upon his dream. He believed his dream was from the Lord and would please the Lord. God favored him.
Suppose you are traveling at night. You see a house on fire. Will you stop and pray before calling a fire truck or notifying authorities? Suppose you see a person trip and fall. Will you call a prayer meeting before rushing to offer help?
God has never told me to brush my teeth. God has never told me to take a bath. God has never told me to wear a suit and necktie on Sundays. God has never told me to kiss my wife. God does not tell me to tie my shoes. When I wear shoes without laces the Lord loves me the same.
How much liberty do we have until we exercise more liberty than is allowed by the Holy Spirit? How independent can we be before we forfeit protection of the Holy Spirit? How creative does Our God allow us to be before we deny the Creator the glory?
What do we know? We know that if we see a widow or orphan in distress it is right and just to help. We know that if we have a brother or sister in need that our God duty is to help. We know that if we do not care for our own family that we are worse than an infidel. We know that sharing with sinners the Good News of Jesus Christ is duty not needing thunder from heaven.
The struggle. When does the Lord expect us to move? Most of the time the Lord does not tell me to go to work. He does not say: “Pastor, time to prepare your sermon.” Most of the time grace and mercy just guide feet into paths that are hopeful and peaceful. Most of the time tasks are out of a prayer heart, a willing mind, and a constitution to do what is right.
The struggle. Of this I am sure. I am sure that of all the struggle to determine what is the right thing to do, when I know to do right, RIGHT I MUST DO! When prayer, reading the Word, worship, fellowship with the saints, faithfulness to God, and God’s faithfulness have made obvious what is right, good conscience and fear of God are sufficient for action.
I do not want to get ahead of Our Creator. I do want the Creator’s favor. This often leaves me in the dilemma of being sure that I practice creativity, while giving glory to the Creator. If I wait for specific instructions for ever task I deny the character of faith and the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. To go forward is always tested by will-power combined with faith.
I do not think God tells a farmer to go out and plow the ground and sow seed. I do think when the farmer is faithful God gives the increase.
It seems to me that God is not in the business of waking us up and giving instructions for minute daily tasks. He has assigned to us the responsibility to “occupy until he comes” (Luke 19). We are good stewards. We are to be about Our Father’s business helping to “finish the work” (John 4:34).
What is in your heart for God? Let us be diligent to do what we already know to do.
Prayerfully,
Pastor Bare
Proverbs 22:13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!”