Today, June 3, 2009
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:16-18
I just so wish I could follow my heart, that I would not have any other concern than to spread my wings and fly to the promise land of my dreams, that I did not have to parry other people’s expectations, or if need be, that I’d be on top of them. If in this world I cannot be, and in this day and age remain languid and docile, without neither power nor fervor, my prayer is this: Haste the day, and as the days proceed — let it be well with my soul!
I just so wish I had the stamina to fight all the injustices in this world, and at every opportunity, the fiber to stand up for truth and justice — but at the outset, I find it a worthless affair if I do not return to myself. Who am I? Am I living true to God’s expectation of me? When Jesus invites me to “Come and suffer” — do I answer to the call? Or, have I committed to follow my master but take the lead? His footsteps — how often they lead me to difficulty and ridicule and hunger, both in mind and in spirit, which leave me more often than not, grumbling. I desire more, perhaps more than what He sees as my need. Am I doing things the way Jesus would do if he were here, where I am now? Would he have said no to the needy? Would he have hurt that man’s feelings? Would he have spoken ill of that person? Would he have said no to an opportunity to love others? Would he have…?
I’m praying, and while I do, I hold on to His promises. I hold on to Him alone, for He has never failed me yet. I will continue to struggle, put His teachings to the test, believe they are practicable even now, and do as He commanded: To love Him above all and to love my fellowman above myself. And should it ever come to a point that following Him will lead me to utter disappointment, suffering, alienation, even death — I will take His answer to Peter, “What is that to thee? Follow me…” It will take a lot of dependence to say what Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said to King Nebuchadnezzar, but acquiring that much faith is in my life plan, until faith becomes sight, very soon.
i love you Jesus…
Ruth Mostrales
