Christi Bowman
I've found myself addicted to many things that have hurt me spiritually, but with the help of an AMAZING God, a WONDERFUL husband, and a few good friends I am overcoming. I have what some people call an addictive personality, and I have heard it said that when one addiction is given up it can be quickly replaced with the next best thing that comes along...all I can say is I HOPE SO.
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Monday, March 31, 2008
Am I longing to leave?
3:22 PM by Christi Bowman
I have started some discipling material written by Seth Barnes called "A Warrior's Journal". And like the title suggests, the book serves as a reminder of the very real battle that all of us who consider ourselves Christians are a part of. In one section Seth writes
"Early church history shows us that in a little more than 300 years, Christianity went from a small band of desperate men to the official religion of the Roman world.
How did this happen? It happened because of the absolute conviction of Jesus’ disciples. They were warriors for the faith, and they passed on this conviction to their disciples. They moved out boldly against enemies who thought nothing of stoning them to death because they were absolutely convinced God was on their side".
As I was reading this, I was reminded of the many disciples who did "move out boldly" and who did get stoned, or murdered in other gruesome ways. This was very real...and God WAS on their side. I thought to myself, at first, "HOW FAIR WAS THAT"? They BELIEVED in God, had faith that He was on their side, and I am sure they KNEW that God could save them from the persecution they were facing...yet God didn't...WHY?
And then I was reminded of the visit to my parents house...and how my parents house was NOT my home. The whole time I was there I longed for MY home where everything was right, and where everything would be made right once I walked through those doors... because my husband was there...and he loves me for me...no matter what.
The disciples DID have faith...and God could have spared their lives. I think the disciples of old knew what I am only beginning to grasp. I have heard many times that God has a purpose for our lives here, and once we fulfill our purpose He takes us home. Again, I have always thought that to be unfair. I am beginning to realize though that being taken HOME is God's gift to us...WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO LIKE IT HERE. I think that is why God is unconcerned with our happiness here on earth...He doesn't care to answer our prayers for comfort here...He doesn't want us to be comfortable here. He wants us so uncomfortable that we LONG for heaven...like I longed for my home. I was in a VERY uncomfortable painful place when I was at my parents house...and I believe that is how we are to see earth...we are not supposed to fight to stay here...we are to long to leave.
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