There isn’t a believer alive who hasn’t said, more than once, “God’s ways are not always our ways:”
8 “‘My thoughts,’ says the Lord, ‘are not like yours,
and my ways are different from yours.
9 As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so high are my ways and thoughts above yours’” (Isaiah 55: 8-9 Good News Translation GNT).
God calls us to walk in victory.
To accomplish this noble pursuit, we must ‘Search God’s Will,’ as evoked by Saint Pope John Paul II. To a young audience of Muslims in 1985, John Paul II said:
“God can never be used for our purposes. He is above all.
Yes, God asks that we should listen to His voice. He expects from us obedience to his holy will in a free consent of mind and heart.
That is why we are accountable before him. His mercy is inseparable from his justice.”
Eight years later, at the Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala, Uganda (once a jewel near Lake Victoria), John Paul reminded his audience:
“Do not flee from your social responsibilities.
As you grow into the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13), clothed with the “armor of light” (Romans 13:12), you must continue to meet challenges presented by violence, racial discrimination, unemployment, poverty, and injustice – all the terrifying darkness of sin.
Do not be afraid!
Keep up your courageous questioning and searching for “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just and whatever is pure” (Philippians 4:8).
With Christ, replace selfishness with solidarity.
The Lord Jesus challenges you this evening. He asks you to lend Him your hands and your feet, your hearts, and your minds, so that – through you – He may set the downtrodden free (Luke 4:18).
Solidarity is the opposite of escapism, laziness, and loving only those who love you (Matthew 5:46)! Solidarity demands that you work with others and for others without exception.
Christ is standing at the door of your heart (Revelation 3:20). He wants to enter there and share with you the flame of his sacrificial love.
He knocks. Every day you must escape from the turmoil of noise and confusion and, for a few minutes, be silent and calm.
Even more, than speaking, prayer is listening. The Father tells us: “This is my beloved Son, listen to him” (Mark 9:7) (Introduction: Golden Calves; Section: When Christians Share and Witness the Good News; Not the talk, the WALK; Page xiii; Kindle Location 75.).
Prayer will enlighten, refresh, and strengthen our life’s journeys,” walking in victory.
With Every Good Wish to You, I am,
Sincerely,
Building the Bridge Foundation, The Hague
Abraham A. van Kempen
Senior Editor
*‘Christian Zionism … Enraptured Around a Golden Cal” (2nd Edition)
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