Think a Minute:
Well…another year has quickly flown by. What a busy year it has been! As we approach the next 12 months with faith, courage and commitment, I would like to share these few thoughts for you, this being my last post till January.
We all know that everyone is busy. Some people just don’t talk about it as much as others. It is true that some people are busier than others but, still, everyone these days has a lot to do. We all know that being extremely busy puts us all under an extreme amount of pressure. May I ask you a question? When the pressure on you begins to mount up, how do you decide which way to go, which priorities you will pursue? How do you choose when there is job pressure, financial pressure, family pressure, pressure to do church and ministry work, and pressure to take some time off? How about pressure to compromise, to get angry, to lead a secret thought life? Or the pressure that takes you away from walking closely with God?
What is the purpose of pressure? Why do we feel the great pressures, even to the point of despair? The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church explains the purpose of our pressure by explaining the purpose of his own: “But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Corinthians 1:9).
My friends, it is my experience that the purpose of pressure is to keep us constantly depend upon the Lord Jesus. The Lord is our rescue, our guide, our Master. To rely on Him is to please the Father. When we rely upon ourselves, He cannot deliver us. When we yield to Him, He can and will deliver us. “He has delivered us…and He will deliver us” (2 Corinthians 1:10). Our experience of delivery gives us evidence that His Word is true. Has He delivered you once? He gives us assurance that He will deliver you again! Here is a prayer for you this week:
“Lord Jesus, I am busy. The burden of my pressure weighs down on me like a heavy load. Use this to redirect my dependency to You. Slow me down, Lord. I do not want to rely on myself but on the power of God. Deliver me again, I pray. I will rely upon You.” Amen and Amen!
Pastor Rob Pesola