Minister Robert Wright.

I asked if that was the only fire truck available and was told that the airport had another truck but it had been down for a couple of weeks prior to the incident that I now write about. My fast approaching departure date caused me to see what the airline could do about my situation. Well the friendly gate people informed me that they could do nothing as “it was not their fault”.

Who was at fault, the country that I was visiting? They could not be accused of intentionally disabling the airport fire trucks. The airline had a point; they had to follow safety regulations. I know that I was not at fault as I had business to conduct and a fully paid round trip passage. M question then: Who do you forgive when “the situation” upsets you?

Regardless of who should shoulder the blame, it is always a good feeling when wrongs are made right.

As a Christian, we should always (regardless of the situation) strive to be fountains of living grace. My recent situation was a difficult one but I had to be who I claim to be regardless of the outside influences and the pressure.

How a professing believer acts is the difference between obedience and a performance. In Discipleship Journal editor Susan Maycinik writes: The line between obedience and performance can be a blurry one. Yet it is an important distinction to grasp, because obedience leads to life, and performance to death….

Obedience is seeking God with your whole heart. Performance is having a quiet time because you’ll feel guilty if you don’t.

Obedience is finding ways to let the Word of God dwell in you richly. Performance is quickly scanning a passage so you can check it off your Bible reading plan.

Obedience is inviting guests to your home for dinner. Performance is feeling anxious about whether every detail of the meal will be perfect.

Obedience is following God’s prompting to start a small group. Performance is reluctance to let anyone else lead the group because they might not do it as well as you would.

Obedience is doing your best. Performance is wanting to be the best.

Obedience is saying yes to whatever God asks of you. Performance is saying yes to whatever people ask of you.

Obedience is following the promptings of God’s Spirit. Performance is following a list of manmade requirements.

Obedience springs from fear of God. Performance springs from fear of failure.

Jesus promised that his yoke is easy, and his burden light. In the middle of the hard times, the Christian should be a model of “Grace” under pressure. Your Christlike character grows and develops as you learn to patiently let each trial do God’s redeeming work in your heart. You can sow spiritual seeds of maturity by choosing to respond with heart attitudes that are like those that Christ demonstrated, even though there will be times when you do not feel able to respond in a Christlike way.

Sow the Seeds of:

Thankfulness—Thank God for what He is doing in your life. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Joy—Rejoice in the Lord, knowing that the outcome is in God’s hands. “We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.” (Romans 5:3)

Humility—Know that God gives grace to the brokenhearted. “He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)

Wisdom—Saturate your mind with Scripture. “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word.” (Psalm 119:15-16)

Prayer—Do not worry, but pray about everything. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Endurance—Look to the Lord for deliverance. “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Trust—Entrust yourself to God, who judges justly. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)

Learn to hear and obey God’s voice. Act in the power of Christ. Focus on God’s greatness, not on your circumstances.

Minister Robert M. Wright is a Christian Broadcaster who holds a PH.D in Religious Studies from Trinity Seminary