"I was crushed...so much so that I despaired even of life, but that was to make me rely not on myself, but on the God who raises the dead" (2 Cor. 1:8, 9)."
"Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;
Pressed so intensely it seems, beyond strength;
Pressed in the body and pressed in the soul;
Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll.
Pressure by foes, and a pressure from friends.
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends."
Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into living a life in the Lord,
Pressed into living a Christ-life outpoured."
Over and over again lately I've been reading about pressure. Pressure specifically in our Christian walk. We all experience pressure in our daily life from family, friends, co-workers and the list continues. The difference for us as Christians is the way we deal with these pressures and the impact on God's kingdom work through us.
How we endure or crumple under these pressures, weigh on how the world see us and Christ. Remember that we are the only Christ the lost will see before knowing Christ for themselves. How we handle this pressure cooker world often bears greatly on whether or not someone comes to Christ. I'm not saying that you or I are solely responsible, I saying we have an impact.
Remember, God has chosen us to share His plan of salvation for mankind through Jesus Christ. Our actions good and bad are seen by those around us. If we live our life the same way the rest of the world lives, then the question in the heart and mind of the lost is, "why do I need to be a Christian?".
Christian's aren't perfect, however the way we live, either shines a light on the path to salvation and a life in Christ or we say Christ isn't the answer. We either reflect the best of Christ or we don't. Pressure in this life is often for the benefit of others and at times for us directly. Regardless, pressure produces greater depth of character or we crumble like dried out clay and have no value to our Lord and His Kingdom.
Seek God and His grace to endure the pressure and grow stronger in HIS strength. As the title of the linked devotional directs, press forward in Christ and trust that He has your best at heart. That even if we stumble, how we get back up and move forward in Christ's strength and grace will speak volumes to those who watch.
Blessings & Peace
~Robert
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