Knowing Him and Making Him Known

On Monday evening, many of us were surprised to hear about the death of Robin Williams. The Facebook posts, articles, tweets, etc, that followed likely stemmed many thoughts.

For me, I found myself saddened by the state of this world, convicted by my lack of diligence to share the truth, and reminded of the hope found in the Savior.

So often, we get caught up in our routines. Clock in, clock out. Church on Sunday. Bible study on Thursday. Clean the kitchen. Fold the clothes. And I think, when we're truly honest, our focus is so often not on glorifying the Lord, especially in the mundane routines of our daily lives.

Things hit home for me this week. On Monday, I was hit with the realization that people around me may be deeply struggling with anger, depression, and are often clinging tightly to the sin that continues to destroy them. In my pride, I grow frustrated with people and I fail to show grace. Some of these thoughts began whirling through my mind and I soon heard of Robin Williams' apparent suicide.

What is holding me back from sharing truth today?

It's as if I am surrounded by people drowning in the sea, and I'm in a boat filled with life preservers. Why am I not more diligent in sharing the truth that saves souls? Now, I'm not trying to say that God is not sovereign in these situations, because He surely is. We have a responsibility we often fail at, and He's sovereign even in our failures. But this is no excuse to not even try. We have a great responsibility.

I have heard many a comments this week... Some that have invoked a deep sadness inside of me for the lost souls around me. Just goes to show that money can't buy happiness. Yes, but you've still got it all wrong. Living for yourself can't buy that either. Not family, not friends, not "good works," not a house or a husband or kids or anything this world has to offer.

Can you imagine getting to the end of your life and the biggest thing people have to say about you is that you made people laugh? What about those empty words we hear uttered in regards to death in a non-believing community? He loved football, loved to make people laugh, he loved country music, and he loved his mamma's cheeseburgers. These are the things that people live for. There's nothing inherently sinful about sports or laughing or music or food... But these kinds of things are the things the world grows consumed with.

I've heard and read a lot of comments this week. Many of them seem to be filled with pieces of truth, yet they're missing the main point. Surrendering our hearts and our lives to Christ is truly the only way to find true hope and joy in this life. No, money can't buy happiness. That is evident all over our culture. Yes, Robin Williams made many people laugh. I can't say with one hundred percent certainty that I know the state of his soul, but I can say this... What value does any earthly achievement have at the end of a life? And this continues to hit home in my heart because I am surrounded (as many of you probably are) with people pursuing success and pursuing a great name in the eyes of the world (and these temptations are still there for believers, including myself). And I see them continuing to feel empty. And here I am, filled with hope, and often keeping it to myself. I often miss the opportunities in front of my face. I quickly fear man. But truly, what can man do to me? God is so kind to show us our hearts, to forgive us, to teach us, and to grow us.

Am I ready to give an answer when they ask about the hope that is within me? Do they see me living a life characterized by the fruits of the Spirit? Am I sharing these truths when given the opportunity, and praying for more opportunities? Am I caring for their souls? Is my greatest desire to know Christ and to see Christ formed in people?

Hope that lifts me from despair, love that casts out ev'ry fear, 
As I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word. 
Not forsaken, not alone, for the Comforter has come, 
And I stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word. 
Grace sufficient, grace for me, 
Grace for all who will believe— 
We will stand on ev'ry promise of Your Word.

- Getty and Townend

Our hope is found in the truths in His word. This is the hope that a dying world is searching for in everything but Christ and His word. Let us continually be examining our hearts, desiring to know Christ, and desiring to make Him known. That is what this life is about. Knowing Him and making Him known.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25-26 ESV)