Being Obedient Is Hard, But…
Being disobedient is harder. As many of you know, I’ve been working with folks in the movie biz to turn my novel, The Jealous Son, into a major motion picture. Fun, right? Well, yes, I love it but there are many pitfalls in the process. Just when I think I’m doing God’s will, a roadblock or red flag pops up and I have to make a tough decision to continue down familiar, easier path but one that’s fraught with compromise, or to head down an unknown and difficult path but one God’s directing me to take. After praying, I decide to trust Him for the outcome…and obediently start trudging. And luckily, angels like Catherine Lidstone are there to help!
Walking Through the “Fire”
I recently saw Sight & Sound Theater’s production of “Daniel,” in which Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, are put in a fiery furnace for their disobedience to the God-less King of Babylon (and obedience to the one true God of Israel.) Back then, nations were at war…Babylon wanted to crush Israel and in fact, did by burning down the temple in Jerusalem. But the people who lived through the fire continued to believe in God even though they faced persecution and execution. Today nations are still at war and Christians are still being persecuted. I wonder if I was threatened by Hamas or another evil group that if I declared my faith in Jesus, I would suffer such a fate…would I remain obedient, hoping to walk through the fire? Is my faith that strong? I honestly don’t know and hope I never have to find out. Still, we face trials and tough decisions in our lives that sometimes force us to walk through our own “fires” for God. Our faith is tested. Hopefully by prayer and reading God’s Word my faith continues to grow so if and when it’s tested, it will stay strong.
Moving Forward in Faith and Truth
No matter what curves we face in walking this road of life, if we keep moving forward in faith and truth, we will reach our reward in heaven. This should be comforting, but it’s often hard to see or know the “truth” in many situations. Take the recent US Presidential Election. Our nation’s people, when it comes to politics, couldn’t be more polarized and divided than it is now. It feels like we’re in another civil war almost. Like it or not, Donald Trump won, and I believe we now have to come together as a nation and move forward…to be as strong as possible in these tumultuous and war-filled times. Now is not the time to stay stuck in bitterness or denial. Just like Israel, America was founded as “one nation under God.” Our forefathers believed in God. Why shouldn’t we, as Americans, whatever party we follow, be diligent in supporting our country? Whether your guy won or lost, whether you are happy or sad about the outcome, I hope we all can heal and come together this Thanksgiving in gratitude to be living in America, the home of the free and the brave. In the long run, we believers know God wins in the end.
Dear Lord, please watch over us in our trials and tribulations, help us grow in our faith in You and discern your will each day, and remind us of your truth and how we need to remain strong and grateful. Amen.
I am so excited. A movie. Wow! Were you able to write the screenplay? Congratulations! I cannot wait to see it.
Great post, Michele. I always enjoy your posts. Very thought provoking. Thank you.