Where ARE the People of God?

I do not consider myself a cynic.  I see goodness and beauty and hope in most everything….especially people.

But recently I have encountered a number of situations that have caused me to have this recurring thought lurking around in the corners of my heart: Where ARE the people of God?

Not just “church folk.”  But individuals of all ages–all walks of life–all economic stations–who choose every day to give their lives to the One who created them.  People who are willing to live on behalf of something bigger than themselves….who serve Yahweh because they understand that He is GOD.  Where are the sons of God in the earth?

I understand that we can and should expect Him to DO for us.  I certainly do!  I understand that to hear and obey His voice guarantees blessing, and that He has placed in me the authority to speak life and to see circumstances conform to that life-giving word.  My life is a testimony to the change that comes when one begins to walk in that truth….my life is a testimony to the blessings of my Father.

But at some point, I moved from the immaturiy of, “Give me, help me, bless me!” to that of “Make me, send me, use me!”  Father, what can I do for You?

When will we as individuals take up our “cross” and follow Him?  Where ARE the people of God?

As the wonderful revelation of prosperity has been restored to the body of Christ, it is obvious to me that many have made an idol of that truth.  We have “Americanized” the Gospel.  For many, to believe becomes the next “Get Rich Quick” scheme.  Yes, Yahweh wants to prosper us, but ultimately that prosperity is for the purpose of seeing His “Big Picture” manifested in our lives and on the earth.

Remember that one?  Remember THE BIG PICTURE?

“…but truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of Yahweh–ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession!”

“Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!”

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Will I be blessed in my pursuit of this BIG PICTURE?  Yes!  But what is the “blessing” really?  Is it not losing my life for His sake so that I may find it?

There have been many times when one who truly lives for Yahweh has had to make difficult choices….many times one has to deny himself to see Yahweh’s purpose come to pass….many times one might have to say as Yahshua did, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

We love to talk about the sufferings of Christ–the beatings, the humiliations, the horrid crucifixion.  Indeed, He suffered unspeakably.  And, yet, perhaps it was not the physical suffering that was His deepest grief.  Perhaps it was the injustice; the false accusations; the loneliness of being forsaken.  He was willing to endure those terrible inequities because He understood He was part of something bigger than Himself!  He was more passionate about the heart of the Father than He was about His own life!

This statement must become true, also, of those of us who call ourselves “His.”

But let a little trouble come our way, and we are raising our fists to the heavens demanding, “Where is God?  Why must I suffer?  He must not love me! If He doesn’t move on my behalf soon, I am giving up!”

Seriously?

So many ministers want their super-ministries and their fine automobiles and their luxurious sabbaticals. BECAUSE I DESERVE IT!

So many men give up on their walks with Yahweh because of greed and self-sufficiency, the lust of the flesh, the perceived hypocrisies in others!  BECAUSE I KNOW BETTER!

So many women make unrealistic demands on their husbands and marriages because of fairy-tales told to them by Hollywood.  BECAUSE I’M WORTH IT!

Really?

I remember many years ago when Ed and I were going through difficult times.  Although I was far from perfect, those who knew me well, including the man of God in my life, could see that I was justified in my complaint. Everyone who loved me would have been willing to help me leave him and start over.  And in my heart, I knew I could get permission from Yahweh to do so.  I had a right!

But Holy Spirit helped me make one of the best decisions of my life.  I simply asked the Father what He would have me do.  ”O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

That day, as I stood ironing clothes on ugly, olive-green carpet in my laundry room, and asked that difficult question, my Father spoke into my spirit one word.  He said, “Stay.”

And stay I did.

I chose to live on behalf of something bigger than myself.  I chose to move past the pain and the justified grievances and submit to the will of Yahweh, having no idea what my life would be like….and coming to the place that I didn’t even care.

And I tell you that today my life is filled with blessing because of that!  My husband is awesome!  I have a great marriage!  My family is whole and complete.  Every time one of our grand-babies climbs into bed with their Big Daddy and me, I am thankful that I was willing to say, “Father, not as I will, but as You will.”  He saw the end from the beginning in a way that I could not.

We MUST become willing to die to self so that the purpose of Yahweh may live….regardless the outcome!  We must be willing to GET OVER OURSELVES!

What an honor to be chosen and qualified to be part of what Yahweh is doing in the earth.  What a privilege to be about my “Father’s business.”

I believe in prosperity.  I believe in blessing.  I believe in the goodness of our Father.

But I also know there are still times that He asks us difficult questions.  There are still times when He needs someone to do the “hard” thing. There are still battles to be won, lands to be recovered, and mountains to be climbed.  There is still a place of serving on behalf of the Gospel of Yahshua the Christ, come what may!  There is still a call to those who are willing to drink from the cup He has placed in our hands.

Is there not a cause?  Something worth fighting for?  Something worth suffering for?  Something worth dying for?

You better believe there is.