Snapshots and postcards are usually thought of in the context of a vacation, but have you ever thought about God sending you postcards and snapshots as you go through life?
Many times God works from inside to outside as we pray, “Lord, what’s happening here? Are you working on this?” Only God can see the heart of someone He is working on; therefore, pray and seek God, and through His grace, He offers to us a glimpse of His work in the other person.
You can call it a snapshot, a freeze-frame, a postcard from heaven if you will. Can you recognize it when you see it? It could be a simple statement. It could be an action.
You and I are called to obedience and faithfulness to God and His Words. You never know who is watching, who is being influenced by what you say or by what you do. And for an unbeliever who watches or a believer who is struggling, they will first watch your actions, and then, if your actions align with your words, they will listen, and be transformed.
Concerning Parenting:
Instead of focusing on raising godly children, focus on being a godly parent/person. As you focus on being obedient in all things towards God, you are presenting yourself as a living example for all people around you. Be mindful of your actions, and don’t worry about the results. God judges you based not on the results but according to your faithfulness and your obedience.
Where people may look and see the results and say, “you are a good parent, or you are a bad parent” – God sees the journey, and when you are obedient and when you are faithful, He says, “well done my good and faithful servant.” What better words should we hear in our hearts and soul?
Concerning a lost Parent:
Let your obedience and faithfulness be a witness to the adults in your life while you learn to trust God with the results. Even if you don’t understand the situation or think God isn’t working. There is no doubt God will show you a snapshot of His work in them as you concern yourself with being who He wants you to be.
Concerning a Friend:
The skill of being a friend is a hard one and takes practice. You trust, and then you get hurt, you forgive, and then you are cautious about trusting, and the cycle repeats. Your responsibility is to love and pray for God’s will in every relationship.
The dictionary defines faithfulness as: steadfast in affection or allegiance; years of faithful service; faithful employees, any loyal and steadfast following, marked by fidelity to an original; a close translation, a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church, not having sexual relations with anyone except your husband or wife.
Scriptures for thought:
2 Chronicles 19:9 These were his instructions to them: “You must always act in the fear of the Lord, with faithfulness and an undivided heart.
Psalm 25:10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness to all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation
Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness
Proverbs 16:6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.
Ask yourself: Are you faithful in your prayers, in your giving, in your loving, and your salvation?
I challenge you to pray this prayer for the person/s in your life in whom you want God to touch and then sit back and watch as God reveals His snapshots to you, showing you what He is doing in that person’s life.
Phil. 2:12, 13 Amplified
Father, I pray that (insert name of person/s) would work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) his/her own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). Not in his/her own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in him/her [energizing and creating in him/her the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
Blessings,
K-Trina