“Excuse Me? What Have You Done For Christ?”

I often wonder what God thinks about  us, the modern American church, His professing followers.

As modern Americans, we live in a time of  relative ease compared to other times in world history. We enjoy political freedom, unprecedented wealth, access to vast amounts of knowledge, and priveledges that were unheard of in previous generations. I have more free time than women who lived 100 years before me.

And yet, instead of receiving all these blessings and using them to make a difference, we are a sad lot as Christians. (I am speaking first and foremost of myself. )

I have a beautiful home compared to this worlds standards, and yet I sometimes fail to use it for Christ,  to benefit others because I want my privacy or because it is not enough “this or that” excuse.

I have enough money to care for our needs. My children have never gone to bed hungry or cold. They do not know what being “starved” really is, although they say that they are when they want a snack.

We have never gone without clothing or shoes. My kids each have multiple pairs. Rediculous amounts, really.

We have never suffered for Christ. Not really suffered. Maybe laughed at by family or sneered at…but never suffered. I shield myself from the pain of this world. I really would rather not know it. I subscribe to the Voice of the Martyrs, yet throw it away when it comes in the door. I cannot bear the images.

And I am wondering… when I get to heaven, will saints of two thousand years ago stand there, mouth gaping wide when I tell how little I have done for the cause of Christ and just how many resources I truly had to work with?

Can I relate with the verse “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” ?  No, I really have never experienced it, and yet scripture says that all who live godly will suffer persecution.

I think of the widow who gave her last meal to the prophet. Another widow who gave her very last coins,. Those who left all for Christ.

In my American way of thinking, I think that I have rights. I think we subconsciously believe that when I stand before the judgement,  I will be judged differently. God will wink at all my complacency, waste, indulgence.

Why am I not like Betsie Ten Boom, who, as a prisoner in a German concentration camp gave her thin blanket to other women who were cold, and during roll calls would stand on the outside of the formation, though deathly ill, so that other women could be warm in the middle? She lived it. I get irritated if my coffee isn’t made right at the drive thru.

I am pampered. I do what is easy for myself. I think of myself first and others last. What a shame. Because I know better. I have read the scripture. I have been raised to do the opposite. Yet, the struggle with self and flesh is real and constant. It seems to never go away.

The Spirit filled life is what I need. The Spirit filled life looks like Jesus. It responds with kindness when wronged. With self-less-ness instead of selfishness. It seeks to meet the needs of others, instead of looking out for yourself. It forgives when by all earthly standards you might have every reason to hate.

Jesus came to show us the light.  So we wouldn’t grovel in the darkness of  our own sin and hate.

“THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED. From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ” Matthew 4:16,17

How can I lead my children, when I stumble so often myself?

In my weakness, I can point them to the cross for forgiveness, help and grace.

That is what I can do.