Last night my wife and I attended Chad Rogers Celebration service. Celebrating the life of Chad Rogers. It was amazing to see how he impacted so many lives in his short time here on earth. A common theme as friends shared how Chad had impacted their lives and stories of Chad was that he was always there, he showed up. Chad sacrificed daily, his time was not his, he gave it to others. Chad loved in a way that is uncommon in America. He loved unconditionally. He did not require something in return. He loved with the overflowing love that our Lord and Savior gives to us daily. Chad who moved back from Jefferson City to Liberty after be let go from his church he was a Youth Director at. Chad and his wife and 1 year old son moved into Chad parents home in Liberty. There house in Jefferson City was still one the market, and Chad was a stay at home dad. Chad continued his ministry. He spent time with anyone and everyone, he continued to love with the Love of
Christ. Most people would be overwhelmed, with not having a job and a house in another city that was still on the market, but not Chad. Chad was at peace because he was yoked to God's will for his life, and not the worlds or his own. The burden in which he carried was Christ. Chad's burden was light, he was at peace here on earth, and is now at home with his Heavenly Father and is at peace as well.
Matthew 11:28-29, 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and You will find rest for your souls. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
I love Matthew 11:28-29. I know most people know 11:28, but 29 is key to that rest. We need to take on his yoke, and burden, which isn't always what we want, but the result in rest for your souls. I wish it said physical rest, but with 2 toddlers rest is something we day dream about. I pray that we would all take on His yoke, and learn from Him. There are so many time we want the rest, and the easy burden, but don't really want to change our lives and truly follow in Christ foot steps and learn from Him. That is why we talk about rest, and light burdens, and rarely mention how our lives are "yoked" (line up) with Christ. Most of us if we are honest would say sometimes we line up with Christ way of living. We want peace of mind, but we can control our own lives, and work hard for what we have rather than take a leap of faith and follow to where God is leading us, because financially, or realistically it might not be possible in our eyes. The only way I know that we can find true peace is if we follow Christ and yoke ourselves to Him, then and only then do we find peace for our souls.
Romans 5:1-8
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
This verse keeps coming to mind, gives me strength to persevere no matter what is going on around us. I love verse 6, "For while we were still hopeless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Two things stick out to me is that it never says that we will never feel hopeless, but states while we were still hopeless. There are going to be times when we feel hopeless, even though we know that Christ is there. Secondly God is always right on time. Never too late or too early. There are times when we do feel hopeless and it is the perseverance though that time that strengthens our spirit, and our reliance upon God.
I love the Hymn It Is Well With My Soul. The lyrics below are so moving and so true. when I think about peace that comes from God, this is the first thing that pops into my mind.
As Chad yoked himself to Christ, and learned from Him, Chad developed a gentle and humble heart that impacted thousands. Chad reflected Christ and would not settle for anything less. Just by Chad being Chad, and the way he lived challenges us to live as Christ lived, not worrying about what the world thinks of us. Chad had found peace. A peace that only few truly find. I pray now that like Chad we search and find this peace. Peace for our souls, and that we would reflect Christ. That we would yoke ourselves to Christ's way of living, that we would carry Christ burden, and not our own selfish burden. That we would all find peace, a peace that cannot be explained or comprehended, a peace that truly satisfies our soul. I will end this with a verse that not only encourages, but charges us to live right. May God's peace be with you, and that we as Christ followers would reflect Him in everything we do.
Philippians 4:4-9 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near . 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension , will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely , whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
