I finally took the time to see "God's Not Dead" and heard something that I connected with. The student who is given the task of proving God's existence is faced with some "fall out" in the form of friends and family questioning (or just plain not supporting) his actions to walk by faith. I've been there. I'm still there.
A few years ago, at a time when I first realized God was calling me into something big, a friend gave me a copy of "The Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson. Bruce explains that, when we set out in pursuit of our God given dream, friends and family with the best of intent will question our actions. Maybe, even, try and discourage us. Again, often times, those closest to us may not understand God's calling on our lives.
I responded to the call to ministry a few years ago when I was asked to serve as music minister at a small church on the south side of Newnan. This church offered nothing that attracted me in the way of music. There was no Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, no contemporary worship music. Reluctantly, I accepted. Almost immediately, the comments and titles started. Friends that I grew up with started calling me "Preacher Kevin". To this day, it hurts. I hear the snickers. I know of the jokes, often, from the ones I've considered to be friends or family. People ask my wife "So, what does Kevin do for work? When is he going to get a "real job?" Trust me, there's not a day that goes by that I don't wonder, even worry about, if I'm doing enough for my family. I know, better than anyone else, the needs of my family. God know far better than I. That is why I have to do, act and say what I believe God is calling me to. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed to us." Rom 8:18
Today, I heard the song lyrics "Break our hearts for what breaks yours.". God sometimes leads us into the "desert" where we can chose. We can chose to be disobedient and find ourselves stumbling around in the desert of our consequences for forty years or we can chose to obey and be delivered in four days. Inside of two weeks, our income was reduced by 2/3. I say that to explain my belief that God has allowed that "tragedy" to happen. We were given that opportunity to react bitterly or respond by drawing closer and seeking God's plan. I believe God allowed this to happen so we would better understand the people that we serve who are facing similar situations. He allowed this so I could explain, by my own life experiences, that prosperity (Jer 29:11) isn't defined by monetary gain. Prosperity, in God's kingdom, is defined by our relationship with Him.
There are far more knowledgeable people who can argue scientific explanations and philosophy in an attempt to reason away God. NO ONE can debate the transformation that takes place when we heed scripture that promises "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chron 7:14 That's the moment we surrender everything we think we know into the hand of a sovereign god. Whether that healing takes place in this life or the next makes no difference. It's for God's glory and it's His plan.
Trust me, God's not dead. The question is, are you?
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