It isn't an original thought to point out that crises and difficult times are useful in that they reveal who we are in a way that can't be hidden. Some people will say that who they are during times of pressure isn't who they 'really' are, but God says that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked...Hard times make it more difficult for us to mask who we are inside. Politeness can be in short supply if we are scared or angry.
This applies to who we are as far as faith as well.
There are those who want nothing to do with the Lord in their day to day, and when the chips are down, they rely on themselves and/or others like they usually do. If they struggle with depression, anxiety or anger typically, they'll keep dealing with those things, possibly in greater amounts.
Then there are those who claim to love God but do not demonstrate the obedience He says marks someone who actually loves Him (Jn 14:15). They may pray more or mention God more during tragedy, but they do not change fundamentally. There won't be any lasting mark of the Lord and living a life for Him when the hard time has passed.
Finally, there are those who love God and demonstrate it. Challenging times come along, and they are still demonstrating a love for God and His people. Their level of serving others is the same, their commitment to God's truth is the same. They'll be the same when the event is all over.
It all reminds me of the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. Which seed are you?
No matter how many opportunities God sends, how many people witness, there are those who simply will not turn to God in faith, worshiping regularly in places where the Word of God is preached and taught. All we can do is pray for them and keep doing what we're supposed to.
This applies to who we are as far as faith as well.
There are those who want nothing to do with the Lord in their day to day, and when the chips are down, they rely on themselves and/or others like they usually do. If they struggle with depression, anxiety or anger typically, they'll keep dealing with those things, possibly in greater amounts.
Then there are those who claim to love God but do not demonstrate the obedience He says marks someone who actually loves Him (Jn 14:15). They may pray more or mention God more during tragedy, but they do not change fundamentally. There won't be any lasting mark of the Lord and living a life for Him when the hard time has passed.
Finally, there are those who love God and demonstrate it. Challenging times come along, and they are still demonstrating a love for God and His people. Their level of serving others is the same, their commitment to God's truth is the same. They'll be the same when the event is all over.
It all reminds me of the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. Which seed are you?
No matter how many opportunities God sends, how many people witness, there are those who simply will not turn to God in faith, worshiping regularly in places where the Word of God is preached and taught. All we can do is pray for them and keep doing what we're supposed to.
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