but the LORD . . .

Sometimes timidity gets the best of us. We worry what our friends will think of us if we share the Good News of God's grace. We feel like sales people, trying to make a pitch for salvation. We wonder if they will really "get it," or if in the end we will have done the Gospel justice in our communication of it.

I've felt a new freedom as of late in sharing Jesus that I found buried in 1 Chronicles 16:

"Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among the peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy in His dwelling place." (vs. 23-27) David declared this in celebration after they successfully brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem. He was celebrating the fact that God is God, and eventually everyone will have the opportunity to acknowledge Him as such.

Jesus is alive and He holds the means to show Himself to people. If I can introduce people to Him, He can handle the proving part. He is the only true God who possesses the strength, joy, and salvation for which people are so very hungry. The burden of evangelism does not rest in our frail hands alone . . . we are yoked alongside the King of the universe, remember?

If we can do our part, we can trust Him to do His part. He is, after all, the One who made the heavens, and the One who has offered to rescue every soul. He alone is powerful; He alone is God. And He's on our side.

A dichotomy

Okay, so I have a paradox that I've grappled with for just about all of my adult life. On one hand is the command to be thankful in all circumstances, and on the other is the desire to achieve the goals and purpose God has planted in my heart. Here's an example of this dichotomy:

"But godliness with contentment is great gain" - 1 Timothy 6:6

"Discontent is the first necessity of progress" - Thomas Edison

So which should we keep at the forefront of our hearts, our desires, our motivation? Contentment or discontent?

My answer today: both. We all need to constantly and consistently keep a balance of thankfulness and desire. Especially when it comes to altering our world. We can praise God for the good we see Him doing in lives, and we can at the same time, in the same prayer ask Him to do more. Godliness is something we'll always need to seek after - we'll never achieve it in completion until we are glorified in Heaven. Contentment is also an attitude that needs continual renewal - it doesn't necessarily come naturally (at least to me).

So, how do you find your balance . . . ?