True Test of Faith

So what is the ultimate test of faith? Have we reduced it to a collection of emotions, principles, or practices? Is it a mere set of values and virtues that we keep in order that we feel good about ourselves and in comparison to the world hold ourselves in high esteem?

What if the real test of your and my faith was connected to our heart that God has chosen to connect to our wallet. What of the standard of faith is not the virtues we profess but the eagerness of our heart? At least that is what Paul attests.

"For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. (2 Corinthians 8:3-5 NIV)"

As a pastor I struggle here as much as anyone. I long to be fully a part of what God is doing and the dream of a world and people who love God and live lives of full surrender that brings life and joy and peace. But my earnestness falls short at times at the place of sacrifice. It is a battle to put my money where my mouth is because everything I have been taught by this world is protect and provide for your family. My man's duty is to dream a future for my kids and my wife and in doing so place myself in the same dog eat dog world where we are all in competition for the top spot. We are all in the same race for the best line in the supermarket, the best opportunities for our kids, and the best provision this world has to offer.

The mistake I make is to live our lives as if I am my own provider. I am not. When I live life this way I make myself my own God and leave God to the position of euphoric feelings supplying the mirage of happiness I am sometimes chasing.

What sobers me each time is Gods invitation to live in the other world, the world he is bringing and will claim it's victory. That is the world where God provides our every need and we live in a constant state of gratefuness for the life that he gives that far exceeds any possession this world has to offer.

So God bounces the ball back to me. He places the ball in my court with an invitation. The invitation is the same as Paul give to the Corinthian church. Get in the game! It can not be played from the sidelines where we cheer on those who "give themselves". No the invitation is to step on the court, to give ourselves fully to the mission of God and it starts Witt the challenge to give. Only then are we really playing ball.

I know what I have to do. How about you?