Zephaniah 3:8-20
Just like any other Sunday morning, I woke up, got dressed, and planted myself in the front pew of the balcony at my church. I stood up to sing, I said “and also with you,” when prompted, and I listened to the sermon. I was following a routine. I did what I was supposed to do to be a “good Christian,” or at least appear that way.
Then the speaker started talking about Zephaniah. He brought up how the people back then were complacent in their walk with Christ and how especially today, we sit back and hold onto the gift God gave us. When in reality, God gave us that gift, Jesus Christ, so that we could be disciples and spread Him to the nations. God calls us to more than just a Sunday checklist. He wants us to live lives that bring glory to Him by serving the nations with one accord.
Hearing this sermon made me realize that too often I am complacent in my walk with Christ. The speaker said, “I spend more time thinking that God is not involved than longing for Him.” And boy, isn’t that the truth! It is so easy to sit back and live life with Jesus on the back burner, only making time for Him when I feel like it.
A lot of this rebellion that I too often feel towards Christ is a direct result of shame, guilt, and pride. But just as Zephaniah pointed out, God uses judgment to wake us up from our sinful ways. The first 2 chapters of Zephaniah are all about God’s wrath and judgment. But luckily, God follows this with His mercy. His judgment does not have the final say. But, God’s mercy triumphs over His judgment! He doesn’t just forgive my sins and relieve me of my shame, guilt, and pride. He forgets my sins and shows me mercy. I mean, I think that is pretty darn cool.
Since getting home from training camp, I have had to realize that I don’t want that life of complacency. The joy and life I found at training camp is what I want all of the time. Not just when I am surrounded by 50 other believers. I don’t want a life of routine where I fall back into a life of rebellion against God. Before leaving training camp, staff told us that this time between camp and launch would be hard. And they weren’t kidding. But, at the same time, it’s been good.
One of my teammates said this of the time between camp and launch: “These are sweet moments with Jesus that we get to lean on Him only before we have confidence in all of this with other believers by our side. Enjoy your quiet times by yourself because you’ll be stuck with people like me for a year.”
I’m not too upset about being stuck with people like her for a year, but she made a valid point! These 6 weeks before launch are sweet moments that I get to spend with Jesus. Learning how to walk boldly in my faith and stray away from complacency. And this upcoming year, I will have plenty more time and opportunities to practice this! Whoooo!
-Hannah
FUNDRAISING UPDATE:
** I am over 95% funded! Which means, I need less than $800 till I am fully funded. WHOOO!! (My blog doesn’t reflect this yet because the money has not been sent/processed)
Thank you to everyone who has and is supporting me on this journey. You all are the best!
