Look at All My Stuff! Why Rely on God?

As we studied Acts chapter 14 this week, Pastor Steve shared a story about a person from Haiti who visited houses in the States for a few weeks, staying in different homes during his trip.  Steve shared that this person was anxious to get home.  Yes, he had enjoyed staying in the big, elaborately furnished homes, but he said, "You rely on your things to sustain you.  We rely on God.” 

Gulp!  I don’t know about you, but that part of Pastor Steve’s sermon cut right to my heart.  Why?  Well, quite simply, there was an amazing amount of truth in that one sentence.  As Americans, we are richer than 99% of the world.  We have nice warm homes, beds to sleep in, tons of food and opportunities for work and education.  We are the envy of many people in the world.  Yet, amidst all of this “things” and opportunities, we have much to learn from our brothers and sisters in other countries.  They are rich in faith and they fully rely on Jesus Christ; something we in the Western world are sometimes sadly lacking. 

So many people are searching for meaning to life and trying to find joy in their lives.  Oftentimes people feel empty, so they try to “buy” things to fill the hole.  They get a bigger house, purchase more toys and cars, take expensive trips to exotic places and dream about winning the lottery.  The problem is the hole in our hearts can’t be filled with “things” or financial security because the hole is a God-shaped hole.  The only way to fill the void in our consumer-driven reality is to admit our need for God and to learn to fully rely on God rather than our “things” and our economic standing. 

Well, there is nothing wrong with having a nice home and going on vacations, but when it begins to have more importance over our relationship with Jesus Christ, then we do need to take notice of it.  How do we realign our priorities?  We pray!  We pray and pray!  Then we pray some more.  Prayer is the most important single thing we can do.  When we ask God to help us to give up our focus on “things” and to help us to put Him at the center of our lives, God will honor that prayer in ways you won’t even imagine.  Will it be painful?  Well, look at Paul and Barnabas.  The road is not always easy even when you have an all-encompassing faith like they had. 

Speaking truth in a culture that embraces the notion that there is no “real” truth will usually alienate you from friends and family, not to mention your neighbors and co-workers.  So, you might ask, is it worth it?  Is putting your relationship with Jesus Christ above everything else, including your life, worth it?  I think you know the answer!  Yes!  Is it going to be easy?  No! 

I would encourage you this week to write down the top five priorities in your life, in order of importance.  Be really honest with yourself.  As you look at those priorities, where does your relationship with Jesus Christ fall on your list?  Did He even make it on your list?  Then pray like you’ve never prayed before and ask God to help you to re-align your life to fit His perfect plan for you.  Then pray the next day and the next day. 

Friends, God will be so excited to hear your prayer and He will answer it.  Be prepared for the journey ahead!! 

Here is a great song that reminds us to F.R.O G (Fully Rely on God).

 

In His grip!

Pastor Carol