"Because you have patiently obeyed me despite the persecution; therefore, I will protect you from the time of Great Tribulation and temptation, which will come upon the world to test everyone alive.” Rev 3:10 TLB
Human beings often blame our circumstances for our lot in life. The government put us in this situation. We were born in the wrong place at the wrong time. Life never cut us a break. We crossed the road at the wrong time. Our friend had the illegal drugs and left them in our car. We are victims of the times. Fate gave us the wrong personality. We just have bad luck. Our mate does not understand us or know how to love us. Our teacher or boss doesn’t like us. We are too bored with our job. The current economic instability is wreaking havoc with our financial portfolio and giving us ulcers. Our neighbor’s dog never lets us get a full night’s rest.
Our parents get much of the blame for our troubles as well. They were too pushy or did not care enough, their income was too meager or they were too busy reinforcing their wealth to spend enough time with us, they moved too frequently or not enough, they never took us to church or they forced us to go to church too habitually, they embarrassed us in front of our friends or they never allowed our friends to come over. You see where I am going with this line of thinking.
Successful Christians, however, are not victims of circumstances. We recognize that we all have choices, and we seek God before making them. We influence life by following the will of our Heavenly Father throughout all of the situations in our lives. We do not wait for favorable conditions, but we pursue the Lord’s timing. We do not allow our past to define us, nor the future to concern us. We realize that the present moment is all the time God grants us, so we make the best of every precious one.
Peter and Paul are good examples of successful Christians. They did not even allow imprisonment to stop their mission in life. While in jail, they grew bolder, spoke louder, shared longer and they did not allow a person’s rank or authority to cower them from proclaiming the Good News of Salvation through Christ. Though their body remained in chains, their spirits soared with the angels. They knew that they could accomplish God’s will no matter where they were, whether free or bound. They were not chained to their circumstances, and they rose above them through the power of the Holy Spirit within them.
Prayer ~ Lord, allow me to use my God-given talents today in order to enrich the lives of all those You bring my way. Help me to follow Your timing and to obey Your instructions; so that rather than living as a victim, I can succeed as a victor.
Thought for the Day ~ Do not wait for the future to share the blessings God calls you to give today.
