Maybe We Should

There are so many grand causes in the world to fight for or against: child abuse, hunger, the salvation of the unsaved... and yet often times we choose to ignore the everyday causes; the causes that build people up and ripple over to affect the grand causes.

We get fired up about the politician on the hill who lied about legislation; yet we lie to the one we say we love, sitting right next to us.
We are outraged by all the starving people in the world; yet we are starving each other of affection and kindness.
We are disheartened by crime we see; yet we steal time from our families.
We are infuriated by child abuse; yet we verbally neglect our own children.
We are angered by the death of a loved one and yet we were too busy for them while they were here.

It is the hurt from these everyday events that create the monumental causes we stand up and fight for.

Maybe we should fight for our relationships in truth and in deed.
Maybe we should fight hunger with hard work and perseverance.
Maybe we should fight crime by being honest forthright people.
Maybe we should fight for children by raising up ours with care.
Maybe we should fight for the life partner God has placed in our lives as a gift.
Maybe we should fight for others more than we fight for ourselves.

Maybe we should before it’s too late.

Love is a Choice

Love is a choice, not just a feeling. When you make that choice and that commitment to one person you have just given yourself freedom to love that person wholeheartedly with no hindrances. When you both make that choice you can then let down all your guards and be nothing but yourselves. You will know that through good times and bad you have made a choice and there is always light on the other side of the current circumstances.

There are three things I have observed in couples that have incredible marriages: They have a common belief in something bigger than themselves, they have a common goal or something they are working towards and they spend most all of their time together.

A common belief in something bigger than themselves fulfills that emptiness in a human heart that no other human being can. If they believe in God they believe in the direction and guidance they receive from God. They believe that God has a plan for their life together. They also, have a higher set of moral standards and if they break them they do not only risk hurting their spouse they risk disappointing God whom they also love. They make a choice to be held accountable to something greater then themselves.

Having a common goal or something they are working towards unites them. Often times they have a business or a part time business on the side. Or maybe they have a common interest that allows them to work on projects together. They make a choice to be held accountable to each other and the fulfillment of what they are pursuing together.

These couples also make a choice to spend their time with each other. The more time you spend with a person the closer you become. Time together allows a couple to go through joys and sorrows; laughter and tears, all drawing them together through the wonder of human emotions. Another key element is that these couples spend time with other couples who also have great marriages. Applying that age old adage of “You are like those you associate with.”

All of the above leads to good communication. Make your ‘love’ the first person you call when you are excited and the first person you call when you are upset. Lean on each other and delight in one another. Good communication leads to understanding and respect.

This is not a choice you make once. You choose everyday to do right by that person. We are all confronted with challenges and will go through some obstacles however, if we go through them together and communicate along the way we will survive. Our marriages will survive. We can choose to be happy with one another in any circumstance. Our partner will be our best friend and companion.

The grass may always seem greener on the other side, but if you water and cultivate your own grass it will be deep green, soft and full. As Tom Robbins says, “We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love.” We can create a perfect love by choosing to love. Love is a choice.

Your Failure Was Not Fatal

Have you ever tripped? Have you ever stumbled? Of course you have. Sometimes we fall and aren’t sure how we will get back up. We all have failed from time to time and will inevitably do it again. I’m here to tell you that despite your mistakes and temporary malfunctions; God is not through with you yet.

If your failure is not fatal God has equated your failure into your future. He already new the mistakes you would make. If those mistakes have not lead to your death you still have a purpose; there is a need for you on this earth. Jesus foretold Peter that he would deny him three times and Peter did. This was not the end of Peter. As a matter of fact it was really his beginning. God then used him to share the Gospel with all the nations.

If there is an area in your life that you seem to struggle with most often; perhaps that is the area that God wants to bless you in the most. Conceivably that area, is the area in your life where He wants to use you mightily. Peter went from denying the Lord to proclaiming His name boldly before thousands.

Another example is Saul, who became Paul. He persecuted the Christians. He went into their homes and dragged both men and women off to prison. It was his mission to arrest anyone who called upon the name of Jesus. But the Lord had plans for this man. “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15). He went from arresting those who called upon the name of Jesus to carrying the name of Jesus to all the nations and their kings.

Maybe you struggle in the area of relationships because God wants you to have one of the most amazing and impactful marriages. Maybe you struggle with drug addiction because God wants you to save others from that same snare. Maybe you had a hard childhood because God wants you to help and save children who are in abusive or bad situations.

Like both Peter and Paul we have a greater calling. We must recognize our failure and cry out for forgiveness and then tell God you are ready for your assignment.

It is time. It is time to move past the struggle and into the promise. You can do it and you must; for the sake of those you are meant to impact and change. For those you are meant to save.

It is your time!