“Even now, in spite of all the water under the bridge, we so want to be brave. Our soul sings when properly reminded of the courage and goodness for which we were made. Hallelujah! For by this we know that the heart of our Maker lives. It still pounds within us – muffled, neglected, stifled, denied, and stricken – and yet beating, wooing, yearning, weeping. Who we were meant to be is evidenced more by our yearnings than by our history.” – Gary Haugen
Oh, how I love this quote from Gary Haugen. It’s chock-full of goodness, and here’s why…as believers, we weren’t created for lives marked by fear and despair. We weren’t created to be cautious and silent. We were created to carry a beautiful message of faith and hope to the world. We were created to be warriors who seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend orphans, and plead for widows. We were created for lives marked by courage and goodness and joy!
It’s easy to forget this, isn’t it? Admittedly, I forget constantly. My insecurities often get the best of me. The mundanity of everyday life gets the best of me. The perception the world has of the church gets the best of me. My selfishness gets the best of me. I could go on and on and on.
But why settle for a life less than the one I was called to live? Why settle for insecurity and mundanity?
Sometimes it’s more comfortable, right? Sometimes it’s more comfortable to fasten those blinders and focus on my own wants, my own needs, my own existence. It’s more comfortable to ignore the poor, the hurt, the suffering, the oppressed, the hungry, the orphaned, and the widowed. It’s SO much more comfortable.
Until I examine Scripture. Oh, the peskiness and boldness of Scripture. It calls me out of that comfortable place. It calls me out of that place marked by insecurity, mundanity, selfishness, and (gasp) disobedience. It commands me to not only make myself aware of the deepest and darkest needs of the world, but…wait for it…it commands me to run to those needs and do everything I can to meet them – both spiritually and physically. It commands me to do more than post a few headlines on Facebook or tweet about the issues of the day. It commands me to be truly sacrificial in the way I serve others.
And here’s the beautiful, wonderful, life-giving truth embedded in that command: we were created in the image of a God whose heart is undeniably sold out to justice and grace. We bear His image. We carry His torch. We were created to glorify and reflect Him. So when we live out these countercultural callings to serve others, our hearts, our wills, more closely reflect His. The result? Endless joy and perfect peace.
Is it comfortable?
Nope.
Is it easy?
Nope.
Is it worth it?
Absolutely.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
Thanks for reading, friends, and for your support as I continue to prepare for next year!
