Bonnie J Martin

faith

Don’t Hide

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Are you awake? Are you alert? Some days I can be awake but not alert. Like one eye open but the light in my brain is not on and I just don’t want to turn it on so leave me alone! Know what I mean?

Afraid I live too much of my life with only one eye open in a dimly lit space. Only concerned with what I want to be concerned about and not what is really pressing on my heart. Skipping out on things that really matter because if I get entrenched in those things I might get hurt.

So I turn the lights low and close the curtains of my room and hide away from the big scary stuff outside, unaware of how I can help. It is much easier for me that way! Far safer. And this way I don’t know what I missed!

But what do I miss? I don’t have FOMO! I really don’t mind missing out on some things. But in the security of my hiding what have I missed?

Did I miss an opportunity to share a lunch with someone? A simple meal with conversation. A listening ear offered to a hurting heart.

Did I miss a ballgame? It may not have been the game I missed. It may have been the company had in the group of spectators. It may have been the player that needed my presence. To hug her neck after the game.

Did I miss the friendship held by a local congregation of Jesus followers; the church? Did I avoid my responsibilities within that group of people? Did I miss messages my ears needed to hear? Did I miss blessings in serving others?

All because of my hiding. All because I wasn’t alert to what was necessary. Did someone need me? Did I need someone? I can’t turn back the clock.

But in moving forward, what can I offer?

No more excuses of, well, I really am not needed or wanted. Just an excuse for me to stay in hiding.

I can observe. I can be present. I can be alert to the needs of others. I can drive or walk or call or text or share or write.

I can tell you God loves you and desires your love in return. He won’t force you to love Him but desires a sincere devotion that comes through a daily relationship with Him. A relationship of praise and prayer. A relationship of studying His word for yourself and with others. A relationship that grows and becomes increasingly complete. A relationship that is sealed by His power.

We all have work to do for the kingdom of God. We can’t do that effectively if we stay in hiding!

Let’s be alert and awake to what is around us. Be attentive to what God has placed in front of you. Ask Him for guidance and discernment to know your responsibility. Then go do it.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB)

Convenient Excuses

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Has God placed something on your heart that pulls and tugs at you constantly?  Even with your best attempts to ignore it, it is there.  Every scroll of the feed, a reminder pops up.  Every other reel rattles that thing in your heart.  I believe God will use anything to get our attention. 

But I don’t have time.

But I don’t have the right tools.

But my space isn’t adequate.

But the people I surround myself with won’t approve.

But I am too old to do that anymore.

But no one needs that from me.

The long list of excuses could go on and on.  But God remains steadfast and sure that there is work to be done. 

He equips at just the right time.

He provides all the tools that are needed.

He is the Creator of space.

Just maybe those people surrounding you are the ones to be the recipients of your gift.

Kingdom work has no retirement age.

Even if one comes to know the Savior, the work is bountiful.

Let me encourage you in your Kingdom work.  Live the life God has given you out loud and upfront for Him.  Pursue His mission for your life.

Kingdom Work

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I originally wrote this post on August 28, 2020. I needed to read it again. I needed to admit it again. Maybe you do too. The following is the unedited original version of this post. I don’t know if the original had a title, but that has been added.

A few years back, I actively participated in “church.”  Yes, I placed this in quotes for a reason.  You see, I was part of a body of believers (otherwise known as a congregation or “church”) and felt it was my responsibility to pick-up and do my part within that congregation.  Bible studies, women’s conferences, VBS, nursery, children’s church, clean-up days, food pantry, short-term mission trips, Sunday school, finance committee.  I even prepared the weekly bulletin for a little while.  Whew!  Sounds exhausting!  Not really, just an active member within a functioning congregation.

But then life happens and boom!  I am no longer participating in any congregation. 

I think back to the food pantry days.  We would gather one Saturday each month.  Two goals of that mission were both centered around nutrition.  One being the nutrition of your soul.  Second being the nutrition of your body.  It was early on in that mission within that congregation that I met a man who had been hurt by a congregation and wanted nothing more to do with an organized body of believers.  He was convinced that the “church” was full of hypocritical people that wanted nothing more than serve their own self-interests within the confines of a comfy church pew. A social club, if you will.  And he wasn’t shy about telling us exactly that! 

But something brought him into that place that day.  I don’t think he came searching out the same hurt he had experienced before.  He wanted to test the waters.  I am sure a few groceries were needed but there was more to it than just the physical food. 

I think he wanted what we all want.  We want to be a part of something bigger.  We want to work.  We want to be held accountable to one another to serve the purpose of the church.  We want to see good being done and to take part in doing it.  We want to help one another in our times of need.  We want to have people that have our backs.  We want to stand shoulder to shoulder so we have support.  We want to be engaged in furthering the kingdom of God. 

Or is it just me?  Is it?  Is it just me?  Am I the only one that longs for this?

Unfortunately, people get in the way of that purpose.  Hurts happen.  And they come in all shapes and sizes and manners.  I even stumble over myself.

The other day I mentioned well-intentioned people.  They can happen.  They can get in the way.

I am going to go out on a limb here.  It is a long skinny limb that will most assuredly cause me to come crashing to the ground.  I already know some of the thoughts and murmurs that will come about.  If you think it, you may as well say it.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 (NASB)

Talk about responsibility!  My responsibility is “to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,” to encourage.  But there is something in between.  Something that has been lacking in my life.  Something that our current pandemic-stricken era has frowned upon.  Something that I sorely miss.  Something that I may have taken for granted for too long.

Assembly.  How can you hold me accountable if you don’t see me?  How can I hold you accountable if I don’t reach out to you and ask those hard questions?  How can we serve the kingdom without some common time of visiting and worshiping and praying and studying?  How do we know who is missing out on this?  Are we quick to say it is up to them to get it?  We are too polite to force anything on anyone.  So, let them die and go to hell.

Well, now, that is a little harsh.

Is it?

How do we know if a person is truly saved from the inevitable wrath to come?  God knows and perhaps it is not our place to know but it is our place to continue to share the good news of a Savior.  Nothing I do will save anyone but the work completed on the cross did.  It saved me.  It is saving me.  It continues to work in me.

Have I become that man I met many years ago?  From the outside looking in, I don’t want to go sit in a pew surrounded by people that honestly don’t care whether I show up to occupy that pew or not.  I don’t want to be part of a social club that only serves our own interests.  I don’t want to sit with my arms crossed and lips pursed quietly while I observe others. 

I don’t want to be judged until you know me.  Then I want you to hold me accountable.  When you know the abilities God has imparted on me, I want you to remind me.  I want you to ask me why I am not doing my part in furthering the kingdom of God.  And don’t be satisfied with “I don’t feel like it.”

If you are a member of a “church,” and have not been engaged, may I encourage you to seek engagement.  If you are unable to find it, perhaps another congregation is necessary for you to find it.  But then again, maybe it is you that should initiate something.  Perhaps there is someone that needs you to take that first step and you may find a common work to do.

If you are in a close-knit family of believers that are actively working to further the kingdom of God, may I encourage you in your work.  But may I also entreat you to look a little beyond yourselves.  So much of the work of kingdom building happens outside the confines of a building.

And if you are like me, sitting on the sidelines.  Waiting and watching.  What are we waiting on?  May I suggest that while we are waiting that we continue the work we know to do.  That we share verses.  That we encourage those around us.  That we study and worship and pray.  And that we find a “church” home.

Pray with me in these endeavors?  That the kingdom of God will grow.  That people can come together to encourage one another.  That people will come together for good.

Celebrate the Resurrection

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Friday evening before the sun set, Joseph took the body of Jesus and placed that body in a tomb. He placed a large stone in front of it.

Guards stood by that sealed tomb to make sure no one stole that body. Futile job!

Then the Sabbath rest.

On the third day, Mary and Mary went early to the grave. They found that large stone rolled away and a frightening angel telling them to not be afraid. The guards were way beyond frightened.

That angel gave them news to share. Then and there those women became the very first missionaries of the gospel message. Good news was shared that the grave had been conquered and death was no more for the risen Savior.

Today we celebrate the risen Savior. Celebrations confined in social distancing shouldn’t be hidden and hoarded but shared. Celebrating our risen Savior should be shouted aloud. HE IS RISEN! He defeated the grave and is alive for me!

We may share this amazing, grace-filled, merciful moment in many ways.

I remember my grandmother coming to visit. Her visits always brought loads of candy. This is one thing I remember about childhood celebrations!

I remember sharing egg-hunts. As a young mother, I enjoyed sharing the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus with children as they waited for the eggs to be hidden.

I remember my children coming to show me how many eggs they had found.

I remember dressing up in clothes I really didn’t want to wear!

I remember food and fun and gatherings.

This year looks a little different. This year, let’s celebrate the risen Savior with fewer things that may take our eyes off Him.

This year, let’s celebrate the risen Savior because HE IS RISEN!

Who, on Friday, defeated sin. Who, on Friday, told that thief on another cross that he would be with Him in paradise that very day. Who, on Friday, stayed on that cross until it was finished. Who, on Friday, completed a job that only He could do. Who, on Friday, provided my redemption from sin.

Joyous, glorious Resurrection Day to you!