The
longer I live, the older I get, the more reasons I find to be cynical.
And it's a comfortable spot to live in, considering that it's a good way
to stay away from hurt. It's a spot that I've lived in. And yet the
longer I walk with Christ, the closer I get to Him, the more reasons I
find to be joyful and hopeful. Now these two mindsets do not work
together. Cynicism may keep me from the lows of life, but it also keeps
me from the heights of walking with the Lord. Cynicism will not win
because there is victory in Christ. May I claim the words of Joseph who
had every reason in the world to be cynical, yet while standing before
his betrayers said these words, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of
God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish
what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen. 50:19-20)
May I allow God's love to heal every hurt. May my cynical nature become
a thing of the past. May I allow God to chisel away at my heart and may
I walk in the role He has always intended for me. And I would pray the
same prayer over all of you, especially you ladies. Trade in the
cynicism for joy. Let go of bitterness so you can embrace the hope God
has called you to. Allow God to keep you sweet.
Approaching God's presence in the Old Testament:
"When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet
and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a
distance..." Exodus 20:18
Approaching God's presence in the New Testament:
"In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." (Ephesians 3:12)
Contrary to popular belief, God did not turn over a new leaf, if you
will, in the New Testament and decide to play nice. The Old Testament
and New Testament is a cohesive story that tells the story of life
without Christ's sacrifice, relying on the blood of animals and the
heart stature of the high priest while everyone else was without
permission to enter God's presence to life covered in Christ's blood,
able to approach His throne with confidence and even call Him "Father."
Our faith is no longer wrapped in what we do or what we can't do. It's
wrapped up in what Christ did and the life His love compels us to live.
We went from "Thou shalt not" to "Now you may." And how amazing it must
be for the angels to look down from heaven and scratch their heads at
the story they've watched unfold for years and see the mystery of Christ
be revealed in people. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty and how
great is the love He has lavished on us!
