I
replied, “But my work all seems so useless! I have spent my
strength for nothing and to no purpose at all. Yet I leave it all in
the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.” Isaiah 49:4
Now
godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into
this
world, and
it
is
certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with
these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and
perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds
of
evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of
God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold
on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the
good confession in the presence of many witnesses.1 Timothy 6:6-12
Have
you reached a point in your life where you looked back and wondered
what you have accomplished in so may years? What did you tell
yourself; was it enough to be content? Or are you found lacking by
your own ambitions?
I
ask these questions because I want us to examine what we have done
not for ourselves in life but what have we done for the Lord in the
lifetime we have been given? I know I have done what some may call a
lot and some may call a little but do I know that I am guilty of
doing what the Lord has called me to do, or did I just do my own
thing? These are the questions that are running through my mind
today.
I
think it has to do with the fact I have had one busy month this
summer. I traveled to another state to enjoy a wedding, I went to two
camps and helped out, but I don’t feel as if it were enough. These
things were enjoyable to me, yes, and I know I planed seeds both
places in one way or another; for the Lord’s glory. But what else
could I have done? What else can I do? The summer is only half over
and I feel the need to keep going at the speed I have been running
for the past weeks. Still I know I must be content to be still now
and again and just listen to the Lord for further direction.
I
could spend a lifetime in camps and rejoice each week as children
give their lives over to the Lord or grow deeper in their
relationship with Him. Oh what an awesome mountain top experience
that would be! Celebrating Jesus at such a high level of focus for
ever! Then camp is over and we have to come home to our normal every
day lives. It often feels like a let down, the services are so
exciting, and life seems a bit dull in comparison. The daily grind
may bring us down for a while, at least until we realize that God is
here too! He is the same God who was up on the mountain helping us
rejoice and celebrate His presence. He is the same God who brought us
to the point that we could see and hear His voice so clear, without
the world’s distractions of daily life; and He is the same God who
brings us back to our daily lives for His purpose to be fulfilled.
It’s
kind of like when you are really thirsty; you rush for the water,
drink it down in guzzles and it satisfies you but then what? What is
the next step?
Today
lets look at that, what is the next step? What do we do with what we
have learned at camps or retreats? Where do we go from here?
We
need to take what we have learned, what we have gleaned and what we
have figured out and apply it to our daily lives to bring Christ into
every situation we have.
At
camp we were quick to focus on the Lord, because that is what it was
all about, so why not in life itself? Why not with our families and
our coworkers down here in the valley of life?
How
can we so this?
- By studying the Word just as we did at camp. Make that time to rise up at sunrise and crack open the word while you sip your tea or coffee or cocoa. Sit outside if you can and enjoy the freshness of the morning.
- By reading books that bring you to your knees in prayer. There are many inspirational books both non-fiction and fiction that will make you think on what is next in your life and how God can use what you learned to the Good of the kingdom.
- By spending more time not focused on work, the dirty clothes, or the things you have to do tomorrow at work, but just thinking on the things of God. Relishing in the blessings He has given you in life.
- By sharing the Gospel with anyone around you just by sharing what He is doing in your life. Testify of His goodness!
- Take a walk with the Lord in the morning, spend the time singing worship songs or just thanking Him for what He has done and will do.
In
all these things you can bring the mountain home with you. You can
step out in faith and share, worship, and seek for a more deeper
relationship with God himself and by this you will not only be
content but you will get excited for each new day to dawn! You will
look forward to the mornings with Him!
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever
state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to
abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13
My
needs today are not fleshly or material but that of the spiritual
strength that comes only from the one who created me. I am hungry for
more of Him, and I am excited for what is next in life’s journey. I
long for the next thing, but am content to wait on His prompting and
guidance as He has done in the past, I will put my trust in Him.
If
you can read that last paragraph and mean it from the heart, make it
a prayer, and a plan to focus on listening and watching for His
plans. I am running in with my eyes wide-open ready for the ‘game
of life’ to go to the next level!
Dear
Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing camp home to us! Thank you
that we can experience the mountain even in the valley when we keep
ourselves daily focused on You and your plans for our lives. Help us
to keep on going on to the next step you have for us to follow. Keep
us from lagging behind, but instead help us to grab ahold of your
shirttail and follow after You, in Jesus name, amen.
Suggested
reading; Philippians 4 1-23, 2 Corinthians 12:1-21, 1 Timothy 6:all,
Hebrews 13:1-25, Romans 12:all. ***If
for any reason you choose ever not to receive this devotion again
please remember that all it takes is replying with a "Please
remove me from this list." I do ask that if there is a problem
with anything I write for you to feel free to write me back and let
me know what the problem was, that we might go over it together and
seek the truth in love.
In
His love,
Teresa
M. Wilson
www.teresawilson.com
Copyright
© 2009
by Teresa M. Wilson.
by Teresa M. Wilson.
Rom 8:24-25
For
we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for
why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we
do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.