This is the 2nd of my 9/11 related thoughts, centered around the interview with the fireman pictured on the right, who survived the terrorist attack. The fireman resisted the question of, "Were you saved for something special," and instead retorted, "Don't put that pressure on me. I get up and do my job each day the best I can...." You can read my take on that here.
But does the question of being spared for something play any part in the Christian psyche? We need not elevate, center, dwell upon, demand, or expect the sensational out of ourselves or our children's salvation. However, because as Christians we have been delivered, the concept of "being saved for something" should shape our thinking.
After all, Paul instructs the Ephesians in chapter 2 that they have been saved. They were "children of wrath," but have now been "seated in the heavenly places." They have been saved for something. There is a reason why God saved them.
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
God does have something special enough for everyone: good works. Good works that can only be done by you. Think about that. Only you can honor Jesus by serving at YOUR family with YOUR kids in YOUR neighborhood and/or at YOUR workplace in YOUR city in YOUR lifetime with YOUR personality. That is pretty special if you think about it. Only you can do it. You were saved so that YOU could honor Jesus by following Him. Not the only reason, but certainly a reason.
And when you fail at following Him you only have to go back two verses, "by grace you were saved through faith." It's OK, your works never saved you in the first place and they won't help you in the last place.
Instead of survivor's guilt we should all have a great sense of "survivor's grace." We do have something special in store for us. We should feel like there is a reason we were spared. Whether or not it's something sensational that brings us celebrity, fame, readership, accolades, or puts us in history books is ultimately none of our business.
2 comments:
A.W.E.S.O.M.E. comments. Thank you 20 times over, my friend!
Staci
Glad you were encouraged. I'm coming across the need to stress this more and more in MY life-(sometimes I just want to be famous so I can write books!) and in those in my church. Liberating truth indeed!
As they say in Chic-Fil-A, "My pleasure!"
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