Reaching Out Blindly

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." ~2 Timothy 2:15


A workman that needeth not be ashamed...I may not know all the times that a workman may be ashamed, but I do know that some of them involve a lack of knowledge on the part of the workman.  Applying that to our spiritual lives, how many times does that happen in a day? A month? Or a year?  These are moments we look back upon, wishing we could go back and do it over.  Did we listen to what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell us?  Or were we trying to do it in our own strength?  Do we even have the knowledge of such things that the Holy Spirit may use them in our lives?  We are told to study, look at everything, read our Bible, listen to what God would have us to learn and understand.  Why? so that when called upon, others can look at our lives and actions and understand that there is a reasoning behind the things we do that can be explained.

Just within the past week there have been a couple people whose final rebuttal consisted of "Just Google it, you'll understand."  Unfortunately, this only weakens a person's argument and makes their point seem a bit less valid.  Do we as Christians do this to others when they have questions about what we believe and why?  Responses such as "The Pastor can answer answer your questions" as a default, are they no better than telling someone to "just Google it"?

I will be the first to admit I don't have all the answers and will always be learning, but I will also say that it is not only the Pastor's job to have answers to other's questions, but we are to tell others what we know.  We are to help others understand and point them to Christ.  It is not only the Pastor who is to sow the seed, but all those who have been saved.  Thus we are called Christians, because we are called to be Like Christ.  We are called to reach out.

How can we reach out if we do not know?  How can we know if we do not study?  How can we study if we do not put in the time?

Study to show thyself approved unto God...are we studying to check a box? Or spend time with God and grow in His knowledge?  Which is more important to us in the end?

And when I write these posts, I'm not directing them at my audience alone, but God brings these to my heart's door first. He's asking me these questions before I even begin to type them up.

What will we do with the information God has put before us today?

Double Post Tuesday!

Normally, I would not (and may not ever again) post two things in one day, but this day is different.  The other post I have been working on for a couple days, this one came with the playing of a song.  The song is Lord Stay Close to Me by Legacy Five and can be found here.  Every time I listen to this song, it's more of an actual prayer to me than just a song.  I'm a musical person so I guess that makes sense to me...

Right now, I have a friend of mine that is going through some hard times.  Throughout this time of need, I wish I could do more for them than just listen to them and pray.  Our hard times are meant to be shared, firstly with God, but also with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  They may not be able to bear our burden for us, but they can intercede on our behalf before our heavenly Father.  They can encourage us along the way and help us to remember that though we may be going though a tough time now, this is just a season in our life and we must not let it overcome us.

It all boils down to whether or not we are strengthening our relationship with God on a daily basis.  If we are, we will lean on God through our trials and be able to strengthen others on their journey when they need it.  If we are not strengthening our relationship, we will become weak and struggle through our trials without understanding and when someone else needs help, who knows if we will be available.  My friend, a relationship with God is the only way to get through this life.  There are no magic words, objects, or people who can make our lives the best it can be, there is only God.

Are you trusting in Him?  Or are you trusting in man?