Don't Be Dependent On Your Comforts

Brown outs, all over the metro. That's what last night's heavy winds caused. What are we to do without electricity? We can't watch the TV, can't surf the net, we sweat a lot, food spoil, and many more effects of the loss of electricity. We have been used to the comforts that electricity brings, that without it, we are paralyzed.

There are many things in life that paralyze us. Without them, we are hindered, helpless, and uncomfortable. One is the comfort of advice. It is important to have the support of our friends. They are there to listen to us and help us in time of need. But there will be times that we have to stand strong on our own. I was helping a friend once with his addiction problems. All was well when I was around, but everytime I went on mission, things got worse. I was there to assist and facilitate him, but he was very dependent on my counsel and guidance. Friends are there to help us stand strong, but they cannot be substitutes for our own two feet. We put our hope upon the Lord, and ask his grace to help us overcome our challenges. "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation (Exodus 15:2)."

Another is the comfort of our titles. Sometimes we borrow our strength from the positions we hold. But if these positions are taken away, we feel less important. Sometimes we draw our worth from how people perceive us, and having a title boosts our ego. They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory (Mark 10:37). How about pursuing a vision, working for a mission and realizing a dream? I think these are more important, regardless of the position we hold. Some of us do not help unless we are endorsed or recognized. Some even draw authority from the position given, without building relationships and trust on the ground. Titles are there to help put order in a system. You may be the president of a country, but at the end of the day your mission is to unite your people and help your country achieve its full potential. Being president, or being in position, is just a consequence of our capabilities matching the required tasks to be accomplished. We are not to be paralyzed without a title. We must continue to pursue the vision and uphold our values regardless of position.

Lastly, another comfort that we are dependent on is the comfort of wealth. It is good to be financially wealthy. It helps our family and it is even very instrumental in the expansion of God's work here on earth. But what if money becomes a source of conflict and hatred? I know of some siblings that kill each other over a piece of land to be inherited. Sometimes our joy lies greatly in the money we earn. Some measure their worth with their monthly salary and the amount of money in their bank accounts. There are times that people ask me how much I earn in a month being a missionary. Then i just answer them, "Enough." Enough for us to live simply and sustain our basic needs. But yet, God is generous beyond imagination. We feel Him bless us through our friends and family. What if all your financial wealth will be gone today? How will you value yourself? Will it paralyze you from serving God? For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs (1 Timothy 6:10). Let us strive to gain financial wealth, not forgetting to help those in need and to be a resource for expanding God's kingdom.

The comforts of advice, title, and wealth are there to help us achieve our mission. But at the time when these are gone, like a 3-day brownout, our faith and dependence in God should be sufficient.