What is Your Safety Net?

Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
When all of the world seems to conspire against you, and the ground beneath is shifting sand, what do you place your trust in? Who do you turn to when everything you have is stripped away? I'd like to share with you the answers I've found.
To start with, some people strive to be financially secure, deeming it all important as a safety net. They've bought into the hype that they need more "than what they have to save for a rainy day." Because it represents stability in uncertain economic times. Other reasons might be provision for serious medical bills down the road, retirement, travel, etc. None of these goals are wrong, I might add, to pursue. However, when people fall into the trap of viewing others without the means to do this as slackers, irresponsible, or not worthy to know personally that it becomes a question of poor moral ethics. Most everyone I know who is poor or of a low to middle income struggles to make ends meet. Some even work 2 or more jobs and still need help to put food on the table.
For some people, power, that prestigious but most elusive of goals is the ultimate safety net. Fame, in the form of public recognition becomes the name of the game. For still others, status equates with security, be it cars, new homes, new clothes, whatever fits works. 'Who better to judge me than me?' is the core mentality of this trap.
Alas! All of these are jyst symbols, none can provide you with the assurance of eternal security as only God can and will. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:11-13 had the right idea, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity, in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me."
Life, with all of its flaws, foibles, and misguided tendencies is fleeting. Life passes away, and you can't take anything with you, except faith in God.
God does expect you to save and spend wisely what you recive or earn in this life, but He also expects each of us to remember who holds you up when everything is gone--Him.
We are to honor God not just with words, but with actions, as well. In surrendering to His Will for us, there is sacrifice true, but there is also triumph. Freedom to fail, and get back up to start again. Triumphant freedom to trust in Someone bigger and better than ourselves who will Never Fail! A freedom to live life fully, unconditionally embracing God's Love and Grace to share it with another who needs it more than we do. That is why I choose life,I choose God as my safety net. What is yours?

A Spirit for Missions, Part One

Grace Moment by Moment-weekly column
It's been eight weeks, give or take a day or two, since I last posted anything. Sorry about that! I've been swamped with homework for a college class on Missions. Which brings me to the subject for this post.
Ever since the fire at my church-Albright UM Church in Mishawaka, IN- God has placed a burden on my heart for missions. Specifically, overseas missions. You know, we have so much to be thankful for here in America. Freedoms that include the right to free speech, to free press, to religion, and to assemble peaceably in public. But in other countries these rights are restricted or abolished at the whim of political or religious intolerance. Repression of expression is the norm, and cultural differences are considered just as dangerous. I believe, however, that Jesus Christ died for all the world, and that even now He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding, ahh . . . praying on our (the world's) behalf, so that those who have never heard will have the chance to do so. And those who have, will experience the urgent desire to share what they know with everyone they meet.
All it takes is one willing person to ask God in faith, 'What would you have me to do to bring the Light of God's Word to people who have never heard?' Then go out and do it. Will you accept that challenge?