The Turning Point

"1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
2 Timothy 3:1-5


When you read those passages of Scripture, you cannot help but look out your front door and see the exact kinds of things going on today. I don't know about you, but when I read those things, I get a little depressed and overwhelmed. If we were to think on those things for too long, we might begin to become tired, weary, and even just want to quit.

Just a few weeks ago up until the past 4 days ago, I was at the point in my journey here in Jordan where I kind of wanted to quit. I saw many things around me. I didn't feel like I was able to teach English. I didn't feel like I was making a difference in this city. I just said "I" a bunch of times. Therein lies the problem..."I." I was running on my own steam and trying to make a difference in the lives of the people here in Jordan. I was trying to work out my own faith by MYself.

I came to the point where I wanted to quit. I wanted to give up and say that this kind of life, taking the Gospel to all parts of the world, is not for me. I could not explain the things around me, nor was I feeling like I was even making a difference. Like the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-16, he felt weak Paul could not explain why he couldn't shake this thorn from his side. However, God told Paul that "my power is made perfect in weakness." Wow!

Several days ago I got to that same point of weakness and wanted to settle for what is comfortable...what I liked...even the things that aren't of God. I cried out to God and he spoke. I was living with the wrong mindset. I was living my life thinking that I knew who God was and that I was doing all these things for God. Really, I am just a speck...nothing compared to God. It's not about me coming to know God, but finding myself in God, His story, and purpose to redeem humanity. It is not about the talents I have or the things I think I am good at.

At that point, God began to reshape my thinking. I started thinking outward on what God is doing in this world, and less what I can offer the world. I realize now that God is using me. I probably won't lead anyone to believe in God during this short time in Jordan, but there are other things God is doing through me. I can be a person of peace to all I come in contact with. I can encourage others who might be tired and want to quit. As my support information talks about "living in love," so I know that means that in all aspects of my day I am to do that. It might be as simple as saying "hi" to one of my neighbors, taking the time to sit and have coffee with the weird guy who sells movies on the sidewalk, or by adding laughter to my classroom after their hard day of work. Those times are all living in God's love.


Coming back to 2 Timothy 3, Paul says more to this up and coming preacher of the Gospel. He says:
14 "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

It is in the Word of God that I meet God, and become equipped for this work. The Word of God is what will pierce the hearts of people. Not by my eloquent speech, great English lessons, or sense of humor. The fact is I am weak, but God makes me strong.

Following God is not an easy task. If you are at the point where you are tired, weary, and want to give up...don't. Don't worry about how great you may think you are or making others think you are great. Don't go around putting on a half-face for God, yet being another person behind closed doors. The Apostle Paul over and over preached to continue to press on, and persevere. We ought to do likewise. I leave with you 2 Timothy 4:1-5:
1 "In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."

Don't quit. We can't stop. There is a hurting world and God wants us in it. There is something bigger than ourselves working...It's God's work in the world. Stay in the Word of God...never in yourself.

Grace and Peace