While others with whom he had grown up or sat in classes during formal education years were daily rising from beds going to their various vocations and then returning home to their families the well-educated Le Fevre was languishing in a French prison.  His crime was that he was a Protestant, a Huguenot.  In the midst of his years in confinement he once wrote a relative, “I enter into the tenth year of my sufferings; and by God’s grace I have neither lost faith nor patience, at least not totally.”  (Stories of the Huguenot in France and Italy for Young People; Sprinkle Publications, 2004)

Jesus told forgiven Peter (John 21) that he would die a martyr’s death (v. 18).  Seeing John nearby Peter asked, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow me.” (vv. 21b-22)

Even as Jarius was enjoying the growth of his daughter during her initial twelve years, this unnamed ill woman was spending all her income to regain her health. These three examples remind us that at any one moment in life, individuals are in varying venues of God’s plan.

Today, Christians are in all types of paths and quandaries that, in God’s providence, arise in a fallen world.  While you may not currently be in a number of extremities that the above found themselves you still may ask yourself, “How am I to serve God in my anonymity in my mundaneness or my trials?”

The answer, “Be faithful” was exemplified by the Christians in the above illustrations. This means just that. Practically speaking it means at least the following.

Regularly seeking to obey God, not man.  This truth motivated the apostles (Acts 4:29) in the face of persecution.  In the midst of our liberty and blessings or in time of trial it means not murmuring or complaining (Phi. 2:14) not worrying (Mt. 6:31-33), and confessing our sins (I Jn. 1:9).  It means changing diapers, folding clothes, balancing the checkbook, open spousal communication, edifying speech -–doing whatever needs to be done next – even taking time for relaxation.

It means not being paralyzed by fear. Peter was informed that he would be martyred. There is no shirking back from preaching the Gospel. In Acts 4 he and John were arrested and forbidden to teach in Christ’s name again. After being released, they prayed for boldness (v. 29) to continue to proclaim the Gospel. They were imprisoned and tried again. Again they were commanded to stop teaching others about Christ. Prior to their release they were beaten (v. 40). Rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ they did not go into hiding. They continued to exercise their calling at that time. They taught and preached Christ from house to house. They knew they would not die until the earthly work God had for them to do was completed.

Our situation is different. We are not paralyzed by the fear of martyrdom. Other fears do challenge us. Peer pressure or family pressure can stymie us. Imagined “what ifs” or “if onlys” can keep our eyelids propped open at night or hinder productivity during the day.

Regarding peer pressure we must never compromise God’s word. This was what motivated the apostles and gave them such freedom. They knew they were to obey God, not man. (Acts 5:29)

Secondly regarding the “what ifs” and “if onlys” in life we neither live in the past nor the future. Regarding past sins, we repent of them and know that, based on Christ’s merits alone, we have been forgiven. We move on, knowing that somehow God will use the consequences of those sins for His glory and our good. God above knows the future. We are to make decisions wisely, thoughtfully and prayerfully. We leave the results to God, in faith. We cannot play God and know the “what ifs”. He has planned out every event. Christians can be sure that God will work all things out for His glory and our good.

Living obediently is hard. We must fight our sin nature and our culture often. That is one reason reading God’s word and daily prayer is an integral part of faithful living. God’s word is a lamp to life’s path. (Ps. 119:105) We are to meditate on it day and night (Ps. 1:2) In reading God’s word daily we are not only reminded of basic truths that are always important, we will also see truths that will impact where we are now in our life.

However, carving out time to read the Bible and pray is also hard. We all have schedules to meet, email to answer, errands to run, our favorite shows to watch, home responsibilities etc. Finding time for devotions is further complicated by the fact that such reading is a spiritual battle. It goes against our basic nature.

This is all the more reason that we have to persevere in making time in our daily schedules to read scripture and pray. This is the starting point in seeking to regularly live obediently. May the Lord enable us to daily desire a devotional time and employ, by the Holy Spirit, truths read as motivation and methodology for daily faithfulness.

©2005 Byron Snapp, Hampton, Virginia