Thursday, June 2, 2011

Working for the Right Things

I have worked my tail off for the last 11 days, I mean really. I'm talking 16+ hour days, no days off and hustling constantly. I don't want kudos for that, you'll see why as I continue...
The fact that people are displaced, lost jobs, lost homes and all of their earthly possessions has thrust me into action. Now, I sit back and survey. And I make myself a little bit sick. It has caused me to realize how materialistic I really am. Without tornados, there are people all around me that are bound for eternal destruction. All of their eternal possessions are gone. My ministry does not reflect the tenacity that it should in light of that. I put people off, schedule things for next week, screen calls, etc. I have not done any of those things for the tornado victims. I have been running around like a wildman trying to take care of them. Don't get me wrong, I care immensely about their spiritual needs. I have shared the gospel with dozens of people in the wake of Jop511 (my nickname for Joplin EF-5 tornado in 2011). But I look back at my focus before Jop511. Did I care as intensely about those folk's need for Jesus as I am now caring for their need for water? My friend, Jeff, cut me a break on all this as I lamented about my carnality. He said, "Jesus met physical needs so that He would have the credibility to address spiritual needs." WHEW! Thanks, Jeff! I was about to condemn myself to Hell! :)
Sometimes Satan convinces us that we are bad. He has succeeded with me, recently. But God has taken that, and shown me that I need to be just as tenacious about the people I come in contact with and their need for the Lord, ALL THE TIME! Tornado, flood, hurricane, blue sky, rain, WHENEVER!
The bottom line is...
God has begun a new work in me that He is bound to finish!