Don't Pass Me By

I've heard and read of God acting mightily in many nations and churches of the world usually where the people are poor or are greatly oppressed for the Gospel. These people encounter his presence in such a powerful way that manifestations of signs, wonders, and miracles are evident. I also read about and hear of others criticizing these events as being of the evil one. As I search the scriptures I see that Father has always manifested himself among his people in powerful ways. Being people who relied in our senses to give acceptance to things in life we can't comprehend, we are looking for physical evidence of his power through signs and miracles. But I found out in studying Father's Word that mostly he works in ways we don't understand and his greatest miracles are done in dealing with the deeper issues of the heart that we can't see.

I meet regularly with a little group of people who often discuss life issues being thrown at them from all angles. Often after listening to them, one can see that they all have encountered and are still fighting many battles in their lives. I see people going through rejection, misunderstood, and still feeling hopeless with their lot in life. But again, as I listen I can see through the deep soul searching that they have all been touched by the hand of the Almighty Father. Mindsets were being changed and preeminence was being given to the Word of God. I could see that hearts were being softened, and love was opening the door through self-acceptance, freedom of expression without fear of being judged, the desire to understand the Father's way, and willingness to search and follow his will.

These people you know have been through so many ups and downs in life. They have been criticized. People let them down. And throughout these past few years things went sour at church causing downsizing, division and strife. They've seen family members divided, friends turning into enemies, and religious leaders running away for fear of catching some diseases if they were to keep maintaining close relationships with them. At one time they had allowed someone else to think for themselves in explaining the Father's ways and in understanding the Gospel of the great God they serve. They had seen him in such a legalistic way and as a hard taskmaster that they couldn't accept the love and compassion he offered so freely and easily. But many comments were made now as they were learning about the true Living Savior, his love for them, and the complete Holy and all knowing Triune God. Because the infinite love, mercy and grace of God weren't well understood, some of the comments made were: “Is that a new gospel?” “We've been hurt before and we've been so very wrong in the past, how do we know that this is the right way now?”

As they were growing in their faith, people who were upset at having been misled in the past went their way to greener venture, other chose the road to loneliness, rejection, apathy and resentment. What many failed to realize is that people can only receive what is given them from heaven (John 3:27). Even Jesus seemed to have been frustrated with the apostles at times. In Mark 3:13 we see him after teaching the parable of the Sower telling them, “Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? Also after warning them about the Pharisees and Sadducees' teaching, and being aware of their discussing the subject, he told them “Do you still not see or understand? (Matthew 16:8; Mark 8:17-18). And when the disciples commented on this statement that what comes out of the heart of people makes them unclean and not what they eat he said, “Are you so dull? He asked. Do you have eyes and fail to see and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember?” (Mark 7:18-19) He even stated during his last talk with his disciples before his death that he has many more things to say, but that they couldn't bear them now (John 16:12). But we also see that Jesus understood them, loved them unconditionally, and taught them ‘as much as they could understand' (Marc 4:33).

Do we have a tendency to put others down for their lack of understanding about the things of God? What we need to do is to accept others lovingly as they go on to the path prepared for them by the loving Father. I know that it is the Holy Spirit Father who stirs the hunger and desire in our hearts for him. And it is also him that opens the scriptures to our blind eyes. The good thing is that once God touches our souls, we can't but love him and want to know and follow him. And when we desire to know him, the Word of God says that he is always on the lookout for people who love him and want to follow his ways. As we see in his Word, “ For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

All I can see is that it is all a matter of the heart. But can we really have a perfect heart? I think that what Father is talking about is having a person whose heart knows its limitations and shortcomings, but who would welcome him by receiving and accepting the righteousness of Jesus while learning to live a surrendered life in complete dependence upon him.

We know that in Jesus Christ we are all being build together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). When we know Jesus loves us and we love him we can face difficulties in life knowing that he is our source and a great help in the time of trouble. We know that he is our place of rest and refuge, and that he will never leave nor forsake us. And we realize that as he comes with the Father to make his dwelling place in us, we can be at peace because we are also resting safely in him (John 14:23). Hallelujah!

For all who are still under the weight of the past and can't forgive themselves, let me share with you the Word of Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-29). Let's learn to forgive ourselves and others who have offended us by moving forward with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Father has reached deep within our hearts to encourage and heal our broken souls. Even as I am looking all around me and seeing through a glass darkly, I can see miracles and God's Spirit working in the lives of people to bring them closer to Jesus. And as I a looking, I am reminded of the disciples in the boat fighting the fierce wind and storm and Jesus walking on the water and about to pass by them (Marc 6:48). Since the secret things belong to you, my cry to you Jesus as I see you going around reviving dead bones and healing wounded souls is, “Please don't pass me by because only you can help me by revealing my heart to me. And only you know what I need and can give it to me!”

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus 1 Jan '09