Dancing Christians

 

Let's be honest with ourselves. It is easy to jump up and down and wave our hands in the air and sing "Hallelujah. Praise the Lord" when everything is going well in our lives.

But then, when things start going a little wrong, or even a little more wrong, or really really bad, we get angry, upset, confused, and we perhaps blame God even.

"Why is this happening to me? I am a good Christian, am I not? I go to church regularly, give money in the collection, even send money to charity, and now this is happening to me!"

Sounds familiar? 

I am not saying we all do that. I have known people who have gone through many difficulties in life, suffered several illnesses and constant pain, yet their faith remained strong and steadfast.

I beg your pardon
I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be a little rain some time (Lynn Anderson)

Nowhere in the Bible does it say that following Christ means we will have an easy life and all will be well. Quite the contrary, in fact. Jesus warned His disciples and followers many times that they will suffer because of Him. Indeed many of His followers were persecuted and died horrible deaths. Even today, many people are persecuted and killed for their Christian faith.

But, apart from the warnings Jesus gave us and His followers, He also comforted us often enough, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." (John 14:1)

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

The thing is, we all have to travel to Emmaus every now and then. You remember the story, after Christ's Resurrection, two of His followers were travelling to Emmaus. Jesus approached them and talked with them. But they did not recognise Him because they were too preoccupied with their problems and their worries. (Luke 24:13)

The way I see it; and I may well be wrong. We say we believe in God. If we are honest in that belief then we truly have to trust Him. It goes without saying. Jesus said so.

We cannot possibly believe in God and then not trust Him. Not trust that He cares for us. That He has our best interest at heart. 

Let's face it, God is not in the business of losing His followers is He?

"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day." (John 6:39)

When things are really bad in our lives, and all seems dark and hopeless, we need to force ourselves, through gritted teeth even, to trust God. As much as is humanly possible, as much as we can muster, we should pray in all honesty and tell God that we trust Him, even though we do not understand the situation or can fathom what is going on.