How real is your god?

One of my heroes of the faith is George Mueller. Born in Germany and beginning a ministry in Bristol, England about 170 years ago, Mr. Mueller experienced a call of God to establish a work among orphans. As he grew in his knowledge of the Scriptures and a life of prayer, he determined that since this orphan work was God’s idea and not his own, he would secure his funds with God’s help alone. Never in his lifetime did he ask anyone for financial help. Never did he or his employees solicit donors or even hint publicly at any financial needs they might have. Everything was taken to God in prayer. As a result, at the peak of his work in about 1865, he had built five large orphan homes (with cash) and was caring for the complete needs of over 2,000 children at one time. So successful was this work and so amazing the story behind it that he became a legend in his own time. But when asked about his motivation for doing what he did he replied that his supreme desire was not to care for orphans but to show to the world that the works of God among men were real and not imaginary.

I think it is this very point that separates religious people from truly committed believers. Religious people obtain a certain benefit from the peace and fellowship of worship services and are moved by the stories from the Bible about other people’s experiences. But the truly committed disciples are the ones who have those experiences.  For them, worship is not a noun but a verb, an expression of how they truly feel about His presence in their lives.

One day in a gathering of Christians an older man was giving a testimony about his experiences with the Lord. So moving was his testimony that a young man jumped to his feet and said, “I would give everything to have your experience!”  At that, the old man pointed his finger at the younger man and said, “That is exactly what it cost me!”

The grace of God in our lives may be free, but it is very costly. That is why Jesus said, “Whoever saves his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it” (Luke 9:24).  If we are ever to truly impress those around us with the reality of God then we will have to drop whatever is in our hands and lay hold of what is eternally important. George Mueller demonstrated to his generation that God can be counted on. Now we are expected to demonstrate to ours the same thing.


 

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