If you read your bible and truly study God's word, it will give you more flexibility and create a framework for the insights that God gives you. The insights will be deeper and you will have more to share because they are based on His word rather than our veiled and tainted opinions and thoughts. This idea should also apply to how we interact and communicate within relationships, our households, and in general, our lives.
This past Sunday, my pastor touched on how the Bible is full of patterns and principles. He said they give us a model, structure, blueprint or design of the way and an explanation of how things are done. He also shared how patterns and principles hold the keys that unlock the mysteries and reveal truth.
I was reading a post on Instagram this week and it was speaking of how we are always looking for miraculous signs and wonders from God to tell us if a person is the one. We tend to miss out on what God is doing providentially each day to shed light on this matter. Sometimes God works in the most practical and simplistic ways, but we cannot see this because we are too busy looking for halos over people's heads and fireworks to light up the sky to give us the answer we so desire.
We forget about what we have been taught, we forget about God's word and His instructions. The bible gives us a framework for what we are to look for but instead we feel we need a sign that seems to be greater than the one who is the Author of supernatural wonders.
When we are focused more on these things, we miss out on all the ways that God is calling us to serve Him daily. That is why we are here. This is not to say marriage is not important, but sometimes we are not aware or sensitive of simple encounters that could change someone's life because we have tunnel vision when it comes to what we want.
One day, as I was on the train, I heard a man sitting in the corner with his wife calling out for help continually. He was asking if someone would spare food, water, juice or for the matter. People got on and off the train and there were a few people that responded to him but not many. I am sure part of the reason is because we have become desensitized. We see this so much today and we do not know who is really in need or not, but that should never stop us from helping people.
Most of the time when I get on the train and I hear people begging, I will see someone walk up to them with food or a drink and they say no I do not want that, then I think to myself, "Are you really hungry?" But this particular encounter of mine was very different. A man walked over and brought the homeless man and his wife some food and he immediately opened it with excitement and began to feed his wife. I said to God, "Oh Father, I wish I had something to give but for now I will just pray." I could hear his voice calling out repeatedly, over and over again.
I was trying to hold back tears as prayed, but then I began digging through my bag to see if I had any lose change. Initially, all I found was a penny and I said to God, "What can I do to help with just a penny when they need so much more?" Then I heard the man say, "Even if it is only a penny it will help." I was in awe and said, "Okay God, I hear you." For a moment the man kept repeating these words, so I began digging through my bag again and I found a few more pennies, a dime and a nickel. I knew I did not have any dollars because money is tight, but I grabbed all that I had and as I got off the train I gave it to him and his face lit up. He just kept saying, "Thank you and God bless you"
I could not hold my tears back anymore when I got off the train and I cried a little because I was reminded to be thankful and to help in whatever capacity that I can, even if it just a penny. When someone is truly in need, it goes a long way.
We need to not only be vigilant in the area of sin and temptation but also in service. We are supposed to be a model of Christ and reflect His image, and He was a servant. We cannot follow The Way (Christ) if we do not follow the model, blueprint, or design of Christ and his life. The bible gives an example of what is to take place within families, relationships, marriages, finances and more.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Jesus was not just saying this to be saying it. He was saying, "I am the way and the example if you want to gain access to my Father."
If a man is to pursue a woman, things should be done in decency and in order. He should go to God on her behalf and seek the Lord for instructions to her heart. Again as my pastor shared, the bible is full of patterns and principles that are keys unlocking mysteries and revealed truth, so a man must go to the one who has her heart to gain access with a servant’s heart.
There is no other way, expect through Christ; and anytime we operate outside of that, we are sure to compromise the reason why we have life.
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