Does Jesus Care?

Have you ever wondered if Jesus really knows and cares about every detail in your life? I have at times.  Though I don't consciously wonder that very often, my actions show that I do. The Bible teaches about God's omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. Most of us who have been taught these truths would have no trouble agreeing with words that they are, indeed, truth. However, I'm ashamed to say that often our actions prove contrary to our words.

In the past few weeks, many of my prayers have been answered and events have unfolded which were undoubtedly God's doing. Unfortunately, I'm not always so quick to recognize that God is the one that is planning all of my moments. I think this is often because I fail to pray throughout my day, consulting the Lord before I make decisions. Usually, when I am conversing frequently with Him about things, it's so much more apparent when He does things that I had asked Him for or talked with Him about.

A state of mind that sees God in everything 

is evidence of growth in grace and a thankful heart.

Charles Finney  

1792-1875

It's so tempting to be deceived by the idea that Jesus only cares and is doing things in my life for my betterment when my circumstances are comfortable - when things are happening that I enjoy. When I'm not completely stressed out and exhausted.

The funny thing is, that's not even how it works in our physical lives, let alone our spiritual ones. Imagine if you only ate foods you really enjoyed, and never exerted yourself physically in any way simply because it was uncomfortable. What kind of shape would your body be in? Well, it wouldn't be fit for much. Muscles only grow when they are stretched. How can I be made fit for service for Christ if I am always comfortably satisfied and never pushed to grow?      

GE

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Frank E. Graeff

    

The Loneliest Phone Booth

A few years ago I was involved with a ministry where (for a time) I saw little in the way of lasting fruit. It was very discouraging. At times I would ask God, "Is this it. Is this all there is? Have I done something to displease you?" Everyone who serves God gets a little discouraged from time to time. But it's not about what we desire, or think, or feel, or perceive, or even experience. It's never about us and our timing. It's always about God and His timing. 

We find a great lesson about this in the book of Exodus. Moses spent the first 40 years of his life being trained and educated in Pharaoh's court. He became a somebody. Then he spent the next 40 years in the desert being humbled. He became a nobody. After being trained and humbled, he spent the last 40 years leading the Israelites. He had become God's somebody.

It's like the story of the loneliest phone booth. 

A PacBell phone booth was place in the middle of the Mojave desert for use by miners in the 60's. It was 8 miles from the nearest paved road and was most likely put there for emergency uses.

Photo: Lara Hartley, Desert Dispatch

For many years after the miners were long gone, it was all but forgotten. One might even say that it was on the "outs." The windows were shot out; the light was busted out; the booth was rusting out; time seemed to have run out. But the phone still worked . . . and waited.

photo: Azfoo.net

A gentleman who heard about it called the number (760.733.9969), and a person actually answered the phone. The man who called the number wrote an article which made the lonely phone booth instantly popular on the internet. It went to cult status! People camped at the phone just to answer calls - calls that came from all over the world. One man camped there 32 days and answered over 500 calls. At some point someone put a book in the booth to log the calls. It was an exciting and useful time for the old phone booth. However, park officials became increasingly concerned about the effect of all the visitors on the park, so they had PacBell remove the phone in 2000.

Photo: Lara Hartley, Desert Dispatch

It was used early, had a dormant period, and was greatly used later - until its maker decided it had lived out its purpose. Cool story, and a great illustration of how God often works in our lives. 

I pray that this was as much of an encouragement to you as it was to me. God bless as you remain faithful. PM