Posted by tamorragoldsboro@gmail.com on February 20, 2023February 20, 2023

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12

We are currently living in a culture of confusion. There is a confusion about the standard that is set by God and the responsibility we have to follow it. My Christian brothers and sisters, I pray that you are working out your salvation with fear and trembling. Why? Because we are living in a culture that is driving itself straight to Hell, Fire, and the Grave.

I find myself in a tangled up knot trying to decide what is right and what is wrong. What is an acceptable and reasonable service to God? What is my life supposed to look like and what is it supposed to convey? I always wanted to live an honest, pure, and loving life. I always wanted to be happy and have my family to be happy. However, as I am living this life I see that it becomes harder and harder to see what is the right way to go. What is the right thing to do?

I have been talking to the Lord lately about roads. He explained to me that how I live my life is like traveling on a road. The road ahead has been traveled by many and sometimes life seems as easy as following the person in front of you. Sometimes we have to stop in traffic, and other times we may get a flat tire and have to pull over to the side. The further you get down the road and the older your vehicle gets, the more difficulty you may have traveling the long road ahead.

There is so much more that he is teaching me about roads and about my life. Not only do I need a license to legally travel the road, but I need a destination. Furthermore, it is not always wise to blindly follow the person in front of you, they might lead you down a bumpy road filled with potholes or deep pits. This type of driving will surely put wear and tear on your vehicle. It would be wise to have an insurance company that you can count on who also provides roadside assistance to come to your aid when you need it.

In life, our insurance comes in the form of assurance that Jesus died so that we can have the Holy Spirit as a guide on the road. If we are living, then we have a license to travel the road to the destination of the Heavenly Kingdom. If we are dying (spiritually) then that road will lead us to a place we don’t want to go. That place is Hell. Be wise and don’t follow those who choose to knowingly get off of the right path in order to head into utter darkness.

So, you may ask why I am so knotted up inside about the right way to go? I am scared because I found myself not making the right decision in life. I have taken many detores and have had many flat tires. Right now I find myself with very little energy to continue my journey. I can’t tell what is right or what is wrong. My vision is distorted and my windshield wipers are not working! We are currently living in a culture where right is wrong and wrong is right. People are thinking and doing things independent of what the bible teaches. People are not using their GPS (God’s positioning system).

We as a culture, and as a Christian body continue to use our own reasoning to travel through this life. I try to get myself out of this habit, but it is hard to let go and let God! This culture tells me that everything is okay and that I should live life according to the standards of those around me. It tells me that if the car next to me is going 20 MPH over the speed limit, then I wouldn’t get into too much trouble if I am only going 5 MPH over. HOWEVER, the word of the Lord informs that both parties would be equally guilty of breaking the speed limit. I think that we all just push the limits expecting not to get caught or we expect mercy from the judge if we do get a ticket.

So, why am I so knotted up inside?

I have come to the realization that although I am living this life and driving on the road to a desired destination, I will one day have to stand in front of the judge. This scares me because sometimes while driving I have not always paid attention. I don’t know how many accidents I may have caused or how many times I have gone over the speed limit. And although I may think that I was not caught in my breaking of the law, the Lord almighty has an account of all things. I am scared because there are signs in this world that tell you to turn and get off on the next exit when we really are supposed to just stay on the road. I am scared because there are times when I didn’t have my GPS on and I got lost on a side road somewhere. There are times when I felt alone and I’m still not sure if I got back on the main road?

Where am I Lord?

Where are you Lord?

Scene:

I am in my vehicle pulled over. The Lord has gifted me with a phone and an insurance card. I am calling the road side assistance provided by the insurance company. They respond that help is on its way. I take a deep breath and sigh. The tow truck arrives and surmises that my battery is dead. He gives me a jump and my engine starts. He leads me back to the main road. I start my journey again.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Philippians 2:12-18

I continue to promote and encourage people to seek after the Lord for encouragement, hope, motivation, and food for your soul. He said that if you really do thirst or if we are too heavy with the burdens of this world, then we can turn to him. Let us turn to him so that he can restore our souls.