Many people get discouraged through events outside their control. They have sick parents or children or a spouse with dementia. Fires burn up their homes through no fault of their own. Although they wear masks and social distance, they contact COVID 19. Or they become victims in undeserved crime.
Not me. I can point to my actions in most of my problems. I don’t ask “Why me” when trouble happens. The why me is me.
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For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
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The “why me” I ask is why did the God of the Universe include me in His kingdom? Why is my name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Why should I spend my eternity in heaven when many will never know the abundance available for them if they accept the Lord Jesus Christ?
When He touched me and called me, I suffered from depression. He healed me. But he’s still scraping off the grunge that muddies my character. On my last day on earth, He will clean off the last as I soar toward eternity.
Life is not fair. Thank the Lord.
Forget shyness or wanting to escape confrontation. Can I bear to see others suffering without Jesus—people better than I? Yet destined to endure an eternity without Him? Or people who live through terrible childhoods to terrible lives to a terrible endless forever?
We must reach them. I once read a book (based on truth) of a criminal who, before Jesus, had no redeeming social value. He shot one man in the arms. The man never used them again.
After his salvation, he tried to discover his gift. He became a thug for Jesus. To carry out his calling, he dragged people to the park and tied them to trees. Then he made them swear they loved Jesus. His mentor hurried to correct his methods. He learned.
If only we could do that: gangs of us dragging our friends and family to the park—revival by tree. You’ll accept Jesus or else. I often feel that desperate.
But without that tool, how do I push stubborn friends through the narrow gate? Start with prayer. Then what? Raise them in the way they should go. But what if it’s too late to raise them? Pray more. Then what? Show them through my behavior. But I’m so imperfect. So I strive not to keep my good news to myself. And pray.
Dear Lord, WHY ME? Show me the way to show Your grace through my life. And give me opportunities to speak for You.
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