Thursday, November 05, 2009
How Do You Do It?
She fiddled with the disposable container from which she had just eaten her soup. The break room soda machine whirred behind her. Then, with a burst of courage, she blurted out the question that had been eating at her for months: “How do you do it, Sarah? Your husband left you with two kids, your car barely runs, and your job hardly pays you anything, yet you manage to stay so upbeat and peaceful. With things so difficult and our economy getting worse by the day, how can you stay so calm and happy?”
Sarah had answered this question many times since God had changed her by giving her the power and courage to face life. “Cindy,” she responded, “I can be at peace, first of all, because the Bible predicted that the world would one day be this way. St Paul wrote his protégé, Timothy, a letter and said, ‘in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.’ (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT) So I’m not surprised or freaking out that people are doing what they are doing. We’re living in those ‘difficult times.’”
“You can say that again!” agreed Cindy. “But what good does it do to know that?”
“Well,” explained Sarah, “if the Bible was right about that, it was probably right about other things too. The Bible says a lot of hopeful things for those who believe and obey God. For example it tells believers how to get the power to live a successful life. An upbeat and peaceful life takes more than just knowledge or faith; it takes a courage and inspiration that comes from God.”
Cindy paused for a few seconds as a co-worker passed by their table and then ventured, “How did God give you that kind of courage? When I knew you in high school you certainly didn’t have that kind of courage.”
“Well, it may seem a little strange to you, but God filled me with His Spirit. He empowered me!”
“That does sound a little spooky. Is that in the Bible? Does it say ‘power’?” asked Cindy.
“Sure,” explained Sarah, “Just before Jesus ascended into heaven He promised his followers: ‘you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere’ (Acts 1:8). Then 10 days later, ‘on the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place….and everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:1-4)’ After that Jesus’ followers were changed from timid to courageous. They turned the world upside down.”
Cindy wrinkled her forehead and queried, “Does that kind of thing still happen today?”
Just then the buzzer sounded, summoning them back to work. As they parted company Sarah explained, “That’s what I’m telling you. It’s happened to me and a lot of other people. It’s the kind of experience that will change your life. I can’t explain it, but I can tell you it works. I’m living proof. That’s how I can stay upbeat and at peace. Bye”
“See ya.” Cindy was intrigued. She promised herself she would look into it.
Sarah had answered this question many times since God had changed her by giving her the power and courage to face life. “Cindy,” she responded, “I can be at peace, first of all, because the Bible predicted that the world would one day be this way. St Paul wrote his protégé, Timothy, a letter and said, ‘in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.’ (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT) So I’m not surprised or freaking out that people are doing what they are doing. We’re living in those ‘difficult times.’”
“You can say that again!” agreed Cindy. “But what good does it do to know that?”
“Well,” explained Sarah, “if the Bible was right about that, it was probably right about other things too. The Bible says a lot of hopeful things for those who believe and obey God. For example it tells believers how to get the power to live a successful life. An upbeat and peaceful life takes more than just knowledge or faith; it takes a courage and inspiration that comes from God.”
Cindy paused for a few seconds as a co-worker passed by their table and then ventured, “How did God give you that kind of courage? When I knew you in high school you certainly didn’t have that kind of courage.”
“Well, it may seem a little strange to you, but God filled me with His Spirit. He empowered me!”
“That does sound a little spooky. Is that in the Bible? Does it say ‘power’?” asked Cindy.
“Sure,” explained Sarah, “Just before Jesus ascended into heaven He promised his followers: ‘you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere’ (Acts 1:8). Then 10 days later, ‘on the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place….and everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:1-4)’ After that Jesus’ followers were changed from timid to courageous. They turned the world upside down.”
Cindy wrinkled her forehead and queried, “Does that kind of thing still happen today?”
Just then the buzzer sounded, summoning them back to work. As they parted company Sarah explained, “That’s what I’m telling you. It’s happened to me and a lot of other people. It’s the kind of experience that will change your life. I can’t explain it, but I can tell you it works. I’m living proof. That’s how I can stay upbeat and at peace. Bye”
“See ya.” Cindy was intrigued. She promised herself she would look into it.
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