Are You the One?

Luke 7:19 (John the Baptist) sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we look for another?”

Have you ever wondered why God would choose to do something for one person, then refuse to do that same thing for another? Has He ever done something for someone, then NOT done that same thing for you? It makes one believe (or at least makes me believe) that God is not fair. In fact, I would go on to say that God Himself says He isn’t fair. Matthew 25:15 says He gave 5 talents to one person, 2 to another, and 1 to another. Certainly not equal amounts to everyone. Then, to make matters seemingly worse, by the end, the dude that had 5 to begin with now has 11. He had his 5 doubled, then got the talent of the guy who had 1 because that guy was “wicked and lazy.”

There is a day that is coming for every single one of us. The day where the huge prayer does NOT get answered. John the Baptist had done everything right. He served God with his whole heart. Jesus even said that there was no prophet greater than John the Baptist. Yet, there John was rotting in a prison cell. If anybody actually deserved to have God come and set them free…it was John. It bothered John so badly that he sent his disciples to ask Jesus “Are you the one? Or, should we look for another?” All Jesus said in reply was “miracles are being done like crazy…and John will be blessed if he doesn’t get offended with me.” Jesus cut right to the chase. He basically said “I am the one, and I know you are disappointed John…but don’t be offended with me and what you think is my lack of discernment.”

The thing is, there is a day coming like that for us. Eventually, the miracles run out in this life. All of those people Jesus healed physically are now dead. I wonder how many of them had family members while they were on their second death bed praying and saying “You healed them one time God…why don’t you do it again?” Eventually…time runs out for us all!

God has certainly done more than His share of miracles for me. The best thing He did for me is change my heart, mind, and attitude. I can now live each day with joy in my heart, working with all my heart, and knowing that He only has my best interest in mind…no matter what happens. But, the question remains…What if I need a miracle and don’t get it? What if someone else doing much less than me actually does get the miracle? How will I react towards my Lord?

I will never forget the second miscarriage my wife and I had. We had no children and were really excited that we were about to go see our second chance baby on ultrasound. When the doctor told us that the baby was dead…I was devastated to say the least. I unleashed on God…”You give babies to un-wed teenagers who will have to be raised by their grandparents! You give babies to druggies that will burn them in a meth-lab fire! You give babies to people who don’t WANT them! You give babies to people who will have them MURDERED!” “Are you really the one? Or, should I look for another?”

Over and over I had decisions to make and questions to answer: Will I be offended with the Lord, my God? What do I do when He doesn’t do things the way I think He should do them? Do I leave the God I love? Do I leave the God I know loves me?

Probably the biggest God moment of my life happened during this period of my life. After months and months of hurt and despair and trying to act like things were cool…Tonya and I had our hardest discussion and said our hardest prayer. We wrapped our arms around each other and said “Lord, if you never give us children…we will serve you until we draw our last breaths.” We chose not to be offended. He’s still Lord! Life and death are in His hands. He can do what He wants…even with my life.

Of course, now you know the rest of the story. He gave us our two children, now 5 and 3 years old. I can only thank Him and praise Him for these two gifts. He didn’t have to give them to me. He owed me and still owes me nothing.

Through all of this, I have learned that a day is coming when I will need healing. Maybe my wife will need healing. Maybe one of my children will need healing. What if I hear of all of these wonderful stories of God healing everyone else’s exact same sickness? What if He chooses to NOT meet my need? What if He chooses NOT to answer my prayer?

No matter what…I will not be offended! I will not fall away on account of Him!

Will you?

Later

Adam