If I had been in prison last night, I would have been praying, “O God, please let me get out of prison. Please let me be free once more, to see the beauty of the earth, to walk freely among men, to do a good day’s honest labor!”
But today I have my freedom; I am free to come and go as I please! For me, it’s like a prayer already answered. In some parts of the world today, there are ‘political’ prisoners, in jail for their faith in Jesus Christ. But I’m free; what a blessing!
If I were sick, hurting or dying, my prayer would be, “Dear Jesus, please heal me. Please take away the pain. Touch me and heal me as You did to so many people when You walked the earth.”
But today I am healed. I’m blessed with good health, no pain, and daily strength for living. What a blessing!
If I were poor I’d pray, “O dear God, please couldn’t I have enough money to have a nice house, a nice car, some good clothes and good food to eat? Please, couldn’t You help me to have the skills, to get a job, to earn the money to buy these things? So many people have these things, O God, why can’t I? Why did You give these things to other people and not to me? Why, God, why?”
But I do have money! I do have an education and the background that allows me to go out and get a good job, have a good income, and be able to afford all the nice things in life.
“Why, God? Why did You choose to bless me this way and not someone else?”
Maybe that’s what is meant by: “Unto whom much has been given, of him shall much be required.” I have much, so I have an opportunity and an obligation to do much.
“O God, You’ve allowed me to be steward over all these things, and have Heaven as my eternal home, too! Why have You blessed me this way, when so many other people all over the world want these things with all their heart, but have no way to get them?
“Lord, I guess You’ve made me a steward over all the resources You’ve entrusted to me. I guess You’ve blessed me so that I can be a blessing to others.
“O God, please help me to pray, to seek to know You, and Your will for me. Guide me to know how to use my short life on earth as You would have me to. Soon, Lord, I’ll see You face to face, and I want to hear You say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master!”
ONLY ONE LIFE, ‘TWILL SOON BE PAST,
ONLY WHAT’S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST!
All these earthly blessings and Heaven, too! Wow, what a great responsibility.
“Lord, please help me be a wise steward and a faithful servant of Yours. Amen.”
Greg Purnell has served as a good news ambassador in Papua New Guinea, Romania, Kyrgyzstan and other countries. He has a heart for the world, and for calling Christians to involvement in world evangelization, through giving, praying and going. For a free report on missions mobilization, visit http://www.eastwestinternet.com/missions/report/ EastWest Missions Mobilization
