Is it Enough?

Is salvation enough? This is the question that bears down on my heart today. Christine and I have been struggling with infertility for over 4 years now. We are in a church full of babies and everyone around us seems to have them at will. We, on the other hand have been to two different doctors and have spent close to $5000 out of pocket between MRI's, HSG's, Fertility Medicine, Fertlity Tests, and finally surgery this past December. Thank God for teacher insurance. After all of this we have yet to have success in this area.

We were riding home tonight from our friend's house after another month of disappointment. As I was driving down the road I was pretty bummed out and I could tell Christine was as well. I started to ask the question of "why?" when I felt God say to me, "If all I did is save you, wouldn't that be more than enough?" The answer, of course, is a resounding YES!

God saved me. He really saved me. He called me out of darkness, gave me his righteousness, gave me all the inheritance as an heir the throne of grace, and adopted me into His family. He set His love upon me, came off of His throne and paid the punishment that I deserve for my sin all in the name of love. He not only saved me from sin and hell, but he loves me. He loves me with a love that surpasses knowledge; a love that will never be fully comprehended this side of eternity. Because of this he works everything my good. All of the circumstances of my life have been foreordained before the foundations of the earth to bless me and glorify Him. Not only that but God commands that I be happy and gives me all the capacity to have unending joy in Him. This is a joy and pleasure that is unmatched by anything this world has to offer (including the joy of having a baby).

So, the answer is yes. I chose to believe God's promises and deny my flesh, my emotions and Satan, who all want to drag me through the mud of discouragement and despair. I am free of that.

There are many different stories in the bible that speak on this subject. Right now I am reminded of the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar tells these three men that He will burn them in the furnace if they do not bow down and worship the gold statue. This is how they replied.

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

This is were I stand right now with the infertility issue. I believe, without a doubt, that God will one day bless us with a child that is our own. But even if He doesn't, I want to make it clear to you, reader, that His salvation is enough.

Audience of One

As I continue to read through "A Work of Heart" by Reggie McNeal I am challenged once again by a vary important question to a Christian and especially a Christian leader. He asks, "Who is your audience?" In our performance based culture we so often get trapped in the snare of man pleasing in our Christian lives. Whether it's parents, pastor, mentor, friend, wife or husband we aim to perform well for the approval of those we look up to. This in turn leads to finding your identity in something other than the finished work of Christ. I know I must remind myself constantly that there will only be one being in this universe who will say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." No one else will utter those words except our audience of One who is our Father. McNeal puts it this way:

"Moses' One gave him a private burial. David's One secured his kingdom forever. Paul's One awarded him a victor's crown. Jesus' One sat Him down again at His right hand."

As we walk out our Christian lives we must only seek the approval of One, and He is our God, our King and our Deliverer.