Acts: tradition or freedom in Christ

Our house church has been studying Acts. It has been exciting to see our group reflected on what went on those days. BUT we all come from different backgrounds (cultural and religious) and it is very hard not to lean on what we already know by experience. On Acts 15 we are faced with the dilemma: tradition or Christ. Even though we know the right answer is, how often we fall on the same things from the past. They are not intrinsically wrong, they are just not vital or as important as we thought they were.

That is why I love our meetings, we are ourselves, we are a family. We do not burden each other with expectations that are not Biblical. If someone cannot come, we realize there must be a reason. If I have to meet with someone instead, it is understood I have a divine appointment and instead of receiving criticism, I know I can count on their prayers.

Now, it is hard not to put an unnecessary burden on each other, we have so much baggage we bring from past experiences!

My prayer is that we learn to live our freedom in Christ and act on it in relation to our brothers and sisters. Help me, God!

I Gave God My Life, But Not My Toothbrush

Someone sent this story to me. It is not my own experience but I see myself reflected in it! I often feel God's burden in my heart for the lost. I just want to do whatever it takes ... but when it comes down to small acts of service, I have an attitude. The story goes like this ...

"One morning during my quiet time, I had such a burning desire in my heart for God to use me. My heart was reaching out to God. I poured out my soul before his throne. “Oh, God.” I cried. “Use me to honor your name. Whatever the cost—prison, beatings, martyrdom—I want to serve you. Take my life today to use as you see fit. You are my King and I give myself to you.”

I shared this desire with others in our team. I felt so ready to lose anything for the kingdom.

Then we had a houseguest. . .again.

Elliot used to come to our house a lot. He had no money, no job, and no place to stay. I would get so tired of serving tea, reheating dinner when he came late, washing the extra pajamas and sheets, and rearranging our kids so he could have a place to sleep. I grew to have a very poor attitude in my service toward this brother. Soon he stopped coming.

Later I heard he was sleeping at the bus station and not eating regularly. Stricken with remorse, the next time he called, I asked him where he had been and invited him to come see us again. You see I had had my quiet time and I was ready to give up my life for the kingdom.

Then he used my toothbrush and left it bloody.

I was angry. It was my favorite toothbrush—though I hadn’t realized it till then! He was my husband’s friend—why didn’t he choose to use my husband’s toothbrush? I would have to go buy a new toothbrush. I knew I could never find another like it. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.

“God—look what happens. I did this for you. I wanted to help this guy out and what does he do? He picks my toothbrush to use and get bloody. I can’t believe it! I have to buy a new toothbrush. I liked my toothbrush. God, it isn’t fair!”

Then I heard a still, small voice. “You offered me your life. You mentioned beatings, prison, and a willingness to be martyred. All I asked from you today is your toothbrush.”

At times, I get so grandiose in my thinking; anything for you, Lord; anywhere for you, Lord; anytime for you, Lord. When what God is looking for is my service to him in the here and now details of my life, the small things I have to give today.

It isn’t likely that I will ever be beaten, stay in prison or be a martyr. Maybe that is why I am so ready to give myself to God for these spectacular opportunities to serve (at least it sounds spectacular in a book written by someone who survives it all). What God wants from me is to be open day by day, minute by minute to serve him by giving him not only my life, but my toothbrush as well. "

Lord, help me to be faithful in sharing your vision, your desires and your passion for the world! But mostly, help me to be faithful to serve when nobody is looking, when nobody is noticing, when I have to be uncomfortable for the sake of others, when I have to give up precious time of resting to help my neighbour. I have to tell you, Lord, that these "interruptions" in my life are not always welcomed. BUT I trust in a God who is in the business of reshaping lives and changing behaviours. Help me, Lord, to be faithful in the small things.