Being God’s Witness
This morning I attended a funeral of a friend from the local church. There is no better place to help you reflect on life and our mortal bodies than at a funeral. I wondered as I sat there if I had done enough to be God’s witness.
It gives us the opportunity to see the gift that we are given in each day and in each breath we take. We are never promised tomorrow and never guaranteed our end won’t catch us off guard.
Days like these always make me wonder if I am doing my part. Am I telling people about Jesus? Am I sharing what life is really about?
Kid’s Say
This evening as my son and I were talking, he asked me what is this all about? A pretty loaded question for a 10-year-old who was supposed to be going to sleep. Share on XI let him talk. It seemed to be weighing on his mind. He said these were the questions that he was really trying to figure out.
Why did God create us and why didn’t he just leave the world in darkness? Why the animals and why do we have books and fans? Who decided to call them books and fans, why not a wind machine?
10-year-olds ask the same questions as adults? Who is this God and why did He create us? They’re good questions. They’re honest and real.
As I began to talk about God creating people. His most precious creation for fellowship with him (of course he was stuck on the names of things) he continued to wonder why we weren’t left in darkness.
Created for His Glory
Sometimes it feels as if we were left in this darkness. With questions, not being answered and circumstances not working out. Disaster consuming us all around.
Why was the world not left in darkness? What is our purpose and how can we fulfill that?
Tucked in one of my favorite chapters in Isaiah we see the answer. Although it may seem short it is quite complex.
Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made. Isaiah 43:7 (NASB)
Did you catch that in the middle there? We were created for God’s Glory.
Sounds quite contradictory to our culture where our own glory seems a way of survival. If we are not glorifying ourselves we are not trying hard enough.
Verse 8 and 9 say bring out the deaf who have ears and the blind who have eyes to be gathered. Let all the people be brought forth. The one who knows of their former ways, let them be a witness so others may be justified. (my summary)
Who Is This Jesus?
If you are here today, I want to be a witness for you. I don’t want you to suddenly come to the end of the road. Standing before your creator and say you did not hear or see a single witness to who this Jesus is.
My former self – was selfish. I was prideful, greedy, deceitful and I lied not thinking twice about it. I was a sinner in every sense of the word. All this, I had done greatly offended the God who created me.
Because of that sin, we were separated. Because of the separation, I needed a Savior. Jesus was that Savior.
Perfect. Without an ounce of sin. He came. Died on the cross. Took all of my sins and put the full weight of it on himself.
I know it doesn’t make sense. I know that I deserve whatever I would have gotten. But I was justified. The punishment that I should receive was given to Jesus. I stood trial and was made right. My guilt on Him.
Trust Him
I was made right before the Father’s eyes because I trusted Christ to save me. I trusted that if I let Him put the full weight of my sin and bear it on the cross, He would and could make me new.
Jesus is the answer. He is the reason I am who I am. He is the reason I do what I do. Not for my glory but for God’s Glory. To be a witness to all that He has done for me when I least deserved it.
He took it all for me and for you. But it is not an automatic pass. It is not something that you can work for or earn. Trust me I tried and failed miserably.
God’s gift of salvation is a free gift. Yours for the taking. You just have to be willing to give yourself to your creator. You have to realize that the full weight of your sin can only be carried by Jesus and that it was taken care of on the cross.
I Was Made Right
I’m not perfect but God sees me through the scope of the cross. I don’t know about you but that is quite a bit of relief for me. Many years were mine trying to do things my way. I understand. He understands. But ultimately you have to put your trust and faith in Jesus because He is THE WAY!
If you have not made that decision for yourself, don’t wait another day or moment. Time is a gift and not one that we are guaranteed. I want you to be able to stand before Jesus and say, I am not sure who that lady was but she told me about you and it changed everything. Share on X
He is the answer to all those questions.
Why were we not left in darkness? Because we were exposed to the Light. Jesus is the light. And His light chases away the darkness.
Personal Reflections:
- Have you made the decision to accept Jesus as your personal Savior?
- If you have, share with us below so we can hear your witness to a Risen Savior?
- If you have not, I don’t want you to go away without contacting me. I would love to continue this conversation with you. I don’t want you to come to the end of your life and think if I had only known.
- Where and how can you be a witness right where you are?
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Susan Shipe says
Always a thoughtful, caring, and well-written post here. Glad to linkup!
Jaime Wiebel says
So glad you are here, Susan. It always warms my heart to see you. And I always look for you in the comments. Thanks for sharing with us today!
Michele Morin says
Heavy truth for a ten year old — or a 54 year old! But so important to keep front and center because it changes everything.
Jaime Wiebel says
Sometimes kids intellect and innocence can blow an adults mind out of the water. I love how the things I told him he took without questioning God. He trusts that God is good and does good for Him. I love that about children.
Valerie Murray says
"created for His glory," now that is a high calling. When we feel insignificant and wandering through life feeling purposeless we can remember why we are here. This is so encouraging.
Jaime Wiebel says
You are so right, Valerie. It is a high calling. One that we can take with honor. My son last night was asking me about money and gold in Heaven. I reminded him that we are heirs to the King. We will lack nothing. I love their fascination. It is hard for us adults to remember that but yes, wouldn't it make things have a whole new perspective. Thanks for joining us today, friend!
Misty says
Jaime, What a beautiful explanation of God's great love for us! May God bless you as abundantly as you encourage others to seek Him daily! <3 Misty
Julie Loos says
Great post for reflecting on!
I wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award over at https://unmaskingthemess.com/2017/09/14/blogger-recognition-award/
Please do not feel obligated to do a thing. You are a great writer and encourager for me and I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to let others know about your website.
Jaime Wiebel says
You are such a sweetheart. I think it is funny that you say that because after publish on over 200 blog posts, I still don't really feel like a writer. I appreciate the encouragement and the kind and loving words. Thanks, Julie!
Susan Evans says
We never know when our lives will be over, so we need to make each moment count for God's glory!
Jaime Wiebel says
Absolutely, Susan! It could all be changed so drastically in a split second. Taking every opportunity to be in that moment is always a blessing. Thanks for joining us!
Jennifer DeFrates says
I love Isaiah 43! God call me His! Makes me want to cry.
csuhpat1 says
A very reflective and thoughtful post. That is something I have been thinking about a lot lately. Thanks for putting things together for me.