Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
8 January, 1997 - Singapore
Good Morning!
BRUTALIZATION
Why is it that we often find:
- God so distant?
- Our hearts so cold?
- The Scriptures so flat?
- Our efforts at ministry so fruitless?
WHY IS CONNECTING WITH GOD SO DIFFICULT?
One reason may be the fact that in the work environment
we are BRUTALIZED
My guess is that to survive, we feel we have to be tough. Thick-skinned. A person who is impervious to pain, pressure...problems. Someone who has the answers.
So our work day is often characterized by a high degree of stress. Politics. Manipulation: DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO WIN.
We become hardened. Jaded. Cynical.
Cold. Exploitative. BRUTALIZED. (2 Timothy
3:1-4)
MUCH IN OUR PROFESSIONAL WORLD CATERS TO PRIDE: TO IMPRESSING AND BEING IMPRESSED. And when we carry this hardened attitude over into our approach to God, HE SIMPLY WILL NOT BE KNOWN, as our Heavenly Father responds only to the humble...To the poor in spirit. (James 4:6;Mt. 5:3)
Since the brutal work environment probably will remain with
us, let me propose two solutions:
(1) That we settle in our soul the fact that it is God, not
us, who meets our needs. "But remember the LORD
your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth..."
(Deuteronomy 8:18). Once we understand God to
be our provider, we are then free to serve people rather
than manipulate them to our advantage.
(2) That we settle in our soul either that God's grace is
sufficient in the circumstances, or that He will provide a
way of escape from the circumstances. (II Cor. 12:9,10;
I Cor. 10:13)
Once we choose to rest in the provision, grace, and sovereignty of God, intimacy with Him will become an increasing reality, the Scriptures will begin to come alive, and fruit in and through our lives will start to bud!
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
- 1 Coleman Street #02-34
The Adelphi - Singapore 0617 .
- Phone: 337 6498; Fax: 336 9913
(c) Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
 |
Back to Antioch's Well Back to Antioch's Home Page |