Adjusted to Our Blessings?

I so appreciated Dr. Russell Moore's ministry to Living Hope yesterday. He preached three times on what it means to be a child of God from Rom 8:14-17 and then spoke again at a luncheon for our Orphan Care Ministry where over 200 people attended to learn how they can pray, partner, and pursue caring for the needs of the fatherless. I am sure he slept well last night.

Yesterday, during his sermon, Dr. Moore posed this question to us: Have we become adjusted to our blessings? He asked the question in light of the missional demand of James 1:27 (ESV) "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." He pointed out that the reason most Christians do not heed the call to care for the fatherless and forgotten is because it is inconvenient.

Most people want to love the poor, the family, and the hurting, but when it comes down to doing it, many excuse themselves. The fact of the matter is that loving people is messy. When life gets messy, most people excuse themselves because most of us have adjusted to our blessings.

We have gotten used to the fact that we can pay our bills, live healthy lives, enjoy hobbies and time with friends and family, and still have energy to complain. Even when life hits us hard, most people have comforts that 96% of the rest of the world knows nothing about.

When it comes to serving the Kingdom cause of Christ, God's people will have to be like Christ and abandon our comforts and show care and concern for difficult people in tough circumstances.

And when we do that, we should not be surprised by those that seek to dissuade us from our God-given tasks. Most of the time it will be those that despise us the most and those that love us the most. That was what happened in Nehemiah...

Nehemiah 4:10–12 (ESV) In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.” 11 And our enemies said, “They will not know or see till we come among them and kill them and stop the work.” 12 At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.”

Notice...
In verse 10 it is Judah, the tribe of the King that is saying that the work must not go forward.
In verse 11 as expected, the enemies of God's people that threaten them and discourage them from doing God's work.
In verse 12 it is their family saying that they needed to come back home and give up the cause.

I am going to work hard to stay uncomfortable for Christ and pray that God will allow me to encourage my children to sacrifice and serve God's purpose for their lives even though it will be painful and may come at a great cost. My prayer is that I and those I love will see the privilege and blessing of living on mission for God. Philippians 1:29(ESV) "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake."