One of the things I truly love about the Lord is that He has the wonderful ability to take an event in my life and do something completely unexpected with it. For example, He used my mission trip to Brazil last year to show me (among other things) exactly what it takes to be His servant, and that is total dependence on Him and submission to Him. Much to my surprise, I actually enjoyed learning that lesson. Once I put all the worldly-minded worries I had on His shoulders, I was free to discover and enjoy everything else He had in store for me over the course of that trip.
Last week, my family and I took a vacation to Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Quite honestly, I was disappointed that I would not be around for the events held at our home church during that time. However, I also recognized that I needed a break from the daily grind to prevent a burnout. Taking a pocketful of tracts with me, I figured that I would use the time to share Christ with people I encountered along the way. After all, I could always use more training in that respect.
God took my time away from Michigan in a totally different direction. As it turned out, I did not manage to talk about Jesus with one single person I met while I was gone. The doors just didn't open like I expected them to. I became more and more unsettled as the week progressed, knowing that my goal for the week was not getting accomplished. Toward the end of the week, the flaw in the plan became apparent to me. Did you catch it? Did you see the word "my"?
I had forgotten to seek His will first. I had my own agenda, and I had forgotten that what I want is not what matters. I had forgotten that life is not about me. God exposed my stubbornness and selfishness. He reminded me of my place as a servant. He reminded me that my purpose is solely to bring glory to Him, and that I should not seek to accomplish my own ends. In essence, He was telling me that everything has its appointed time, and that this was not that time.
By the way, it was HOT in Virginia that week! For the first four full days we were there, the high hit a hundred degrees or more. Friday evening, it finally rained. For the first time that whole week, we found ourselves with nothing to do. We all sat out on the back porch, watching it come down, as the temperature plummeted to a comfortable 75 degrees. As we sat, we found ourselves singing hymns of praise to our Lord. My wife and I both agreed that this was the best moment of our entire vacation.
Father, please forgive my impertinence. Forgive me for putting my own ideas first. Forgive me for failing to seek Your will. Thank you for reminding me why I was put on this earth. Thank you for the time of rest that You have given me. Thank you for teaching me that there are times when You want nothing more from me than to be at peace and bask in the presence of Your glory. In the name of Jesus my savior I pray. Amen.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" - Ecclesiastes 3:1
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10
Last week, my family and I took a vacation to Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Quite honestly, I was disappointed that I would not be around for the events held at our home church during that time. However, I also recognized that I needed a break from the daily grind to prevent a burnout. Taking a pocketful of tracts with me, I figured that I would use the time to share Christ with people I encountered along the way. After all, I could always use more training in that respect.
God took my time away from Michigan in a totally different direction. As it turned out, I did not manage to talk about Jesus with one single person I met while I was gone. The doors just didn't open like I expected them to. I became more and more unsettled as the week progressed, knowing that my goal for the week was not getting accomplished. Toward the end of the week, the flaw in the plan became apparent to me. Did you catch it? Did you see the word "my"?
I had forgotten to seek His will first. I had my own agenda, and I had forgotten that what I want is not what matters. I had forgotten that life is not about me. God exposed my stubbornness and selfishness. He reminded me of my place as a servant. He reminded me that my purpose is solely to bring glory to Him, and that I should not seek to accomplish my own ends. In essence, He was telling me that everything has its appointed time, and that this was not that time.
By the way, it was HOT in Virginia that week! For the first four full days we were there, the high hit a hundred degrees or more. Friday evening, it finally rained. For the first time that whole week, we found ourselves with nothing to do. We all sat out on the back porch, watching it come down, as the temperature plummeted to a comfortable 75 degrees. As we sat, we found ourselves singing hymns of praise to our Lord. My wife and I both agreed that this was the best moment of our entire vacation.
Father, please forgive my impertinence. Forgive me for putting my own ideas first. Forgive me for failing to seek Your will. Thank you for reminding me why I was put on this earth. Thank you for the time of rest that You have given me. Thank you for teaching me that there are times when You want nothing more from me than to be at peace and bask in the presence of Your glory. In the name of Jesus my savior I pray. Amen.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" - Ecclesiastes 3:1
"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." - Psalm 46:10
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