There have been a lot of questions racing through my head lately. One is why have I not blogged for a year when I have felt that it provides peace to me to have things written down. Another question is what is the next season of our family's life going to look like and also why do we listen to what the world has to say when we have the Bible and it tells us what we need to do.
The last question is why I'm finally writing again. As a family we have suffered some losses this year that make us question why all of this now God. In the last year we have lost both of my wife Chris' grandparents, Anissa's grandma, my Aunt Rose (who was like a second mom to me), and one of the greatest dogs in Muffin. I keep going back to the same verse of scripture James 1:2-5. This verse has helped me time after time. I know that we have come out of this season stronger as a family and that our faith in God is also stronger.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
So who's voice are we listening to? The world tells us to get a bigger house, TV, vehicles etc. We need to live the American Dream because that is what we are suppose to do. It is our given right since we were born here in this great country and we went to college and we have good jobs. The Bible tells us something much different. Jesus asked people to give up everything for Him. In Mark 10:17-31 we hear the story of the rich man. Jesus didn't ask the rich man to give up some money and help the poor He said "EVERYTHING". So which voice are you going to listen to?
For a couple of years now I have been ready to sell everything and live out what we are taught by Jesus. My wife not so much. That is until recently. We are currently working through what it would mean for us to sell our house and some of our belongings and move to a neighborhood that needs more people to show the love of Jesus and what He can do to change people. God has been speaking to us both about living more for Him and less for ourselves. Now that does not mean we are selling everything, yet. We will learn to take what we do have and use it for the Kingdom of God.
So, what does this look like? We are not really sure at this point. Here is what we do know that we are going to listen to God's voice and not what the world is telling us. There may be earthly things that we miss out on but we will be rewarded eternally for the choice we made to follow God. We are all called to a greater purpose. So, the question remains who's voice are you going to listen to?
Job 37:5 "God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. "
