The Works of God

I had lunch with a dear brother on Friday, one of those men who stirs things up wherever he goes (in a good way).

He said more and more he’s ‘desperate’ for a movement of the Holy Spirit.  That’s a great word.  And it can apply to the not-yet as well as the right-now:

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,  if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.  For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Paul’s inspired writings are a constant help.  He writes with understanding – we are burdened!  He encourages us that we can always be of good courage in Jesus.  And he reminds us that what happens in this life is really important; we aren’t just waiting around until we get to be with Jesus.

And it puts all the hardship and all the wonderful things associated with disability in proper perspective.  For those who trust in Jesus, only in this age do we groan; only in this age are we burdened.

I am not always of good courage – because I do not always walk by faith nor do I always seek to please him.  But Jesus never loses anyone he has called:

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28

Yes, being desperate for God is a very good thing!