So what has God qualified you or myself for?
There are I suppose many answers to that one question. Perhaps the initial thoughts of many reading it are going to be about their gifts and the talents they believe God has given them, and the role or service they have within the life of the church to which they belong.
Eternal Life however, how are we qualified for that?
I can hear one answer to that one being offered up even as I ask it, by many brothers and sisters around the world, offered as a joyful shout….
“Through the Blood of the Lamb”
Only through the Blood of Jesus. Amen
However, If we think of earthly callings, in order to get on we need to have at least some kind of educational qualifications to even get a foot on the ladder to success. Some kind of Degree is always to be preferred… I am going to suggest that our heavenly calling also calls for enrolment in a school, or college. A school or college which is open to all students who apply, Christ having paid the fees up front.
The School of Prayer
With such a gentle, patient Teacher as Christ, every enrolled student should do well here and at the end of the life-long lesson produce ample proof that they have paid excellent attention by the fruit of the Spirit grown in them as they go on…..
There is only one thing which could possibly work against any student/disciple in this school, and that is we disqualify ourselves by GIVING UP!
Each day should be seen like a fresh start.
This life is a short preparation for the Reality (life in heaven) ahead.
Do not lose heart! Glory is waiting to be revealed in us.
Look for the signs:
Discretion, justice, courage, and understanding, love, faith in Christ, concern for the poor, hospitality and freedom from anger.
St Antony of Egypt (c AD 300) advice given to others determined to live as close to Jesus as they possibly could
Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 21.22 “if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” … after coming across a fig-tree with no fruit to offer him for breakfast …. if we are discouraged and feel we have nothing to offer Jesus except our daily failings.. Antony says, “Don’t give up. Treat each day as a fresh beginning, don’t lose heart… the Glorious fruit of the Spirit is just waiting to show itself … you must persevere in prayer… never doubting that the One who forgives us all for Christ’s sake will with Him freely give us that Spiritual fruit, that abundant life that is Eternal Life.
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and take heart
And wait for the LORD
Psalm 27. 13-14 NIV
Lord, the giver of all good gifts, and the True Gardener,
You know that in the world, we have troubles, difficulties and
We confess we often cannot do what is right
And often we are tempted to give in
To walk away from the fight
To let the enemy of our soul win,
To stay down when we fall
Keep us strong Lord, keep us praying
Teach us to know that Jesus is with us in all our trials and that He
Will bring us out stronger, grown taller and closer to Heaven,
The fruits that are hard won through prayer are those,
the Gardener is patiently waiting for,
For it is you, Lord God who works in us to will and to act
To fulfil your good purpose.
Always Jean
Fresh Whispers 