Scripture I'm Reflecting on: Psalm 20:7
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
Reflection:
It's pretty crazy the things we put faith in these days. Anytime we get behind the wheel we are putting our trust, our faith in other things. Mechanics. Traffic lights. Other drivers. Think about when we fly. We give up all control. Our total faith is in the pilot. Our total faith is in the airplane crew. For most of us, we aren't even phased by this. We read a book, play on our iPad, fall asleep. The list of things we are willing to put our complete faith in is endless. But is God one of them? Are we willing to put our complete faith in God at all times? For many of us, that answer is no.
How is it that we find it harder to trust God than it is to trust flying 60,000 feet in the air? We're willing to trust others on the road, but not willing to trust our Lord to provide for us. I catch myself doing this all the time. Why did I not get that job? Why didn't I get the grade I feel I deserved? Why does this person or that person seem to get all the breaks? This isn't the attitude we are supposed to have as role models in the image of God. This is not the attitude Jesus had, the person we are all called to follow as the ultimate role model, when everything and everyone was turned against him. Jesus was put through trials worse than any of us can even imagine, and at the worst of it all, he never gave up his trust in God. It is time for us, to make a better effort to obtain this ultimate trust.
I'm a believer that all the "bad breaks", and all the "obstacles" and "setbacks" in life are God's way of guiding us and preparing us for our ultimate calling. But we have to do our part in this journey. Instead of losing trust and giving up on prayer when something doesn't go our way, we need to continue to thank God for what we have, and continue to ask Him for guidance....all while trusting that he is leading us in the right direction.
Final Thought:
The Bible is rich with stories of how having faith in God always pays off. I have a tendency to read these stories and forget that these are real. This stuff actually happened. The Bible is not fiction. When I reflect on that, it makes me realize that God can still do these great things in my life today, and He will do these great things in our lives as long as don't fight against Him. We fight against God when we lose trust, or go against what he puts on our heart, or give up a little faith. Fight against this. Find a scripture that reminds you of the joy and happiness that comes from keeping faith and trust in God can. Remember a time in your life when God turned a what you thought was a negative, into a positive. When we do this, and follow the path God has laid for us, we will experience our most happiest days.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Distracted from our Calling
Scripture I'm Reflecting on: Nehemiah 6:3
"I am engaged in a great work, I can't come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?"
Nehemiah was close to completing his great work....his calling... His enemies tried to get him to pause his work, and distract him from doing God's work. He stayed strong though, pushed away the distraction.... and the rest of the story is history.
Reflection:
Our culture is rich with distractions. Television. Wealth. Power. Music. Money. Advertisements. Jewelry. Sports. Opposite sex. Beauty. Love. We find ways to navigate around these distractions all the time. During exam time, I have no issues blocking out these distractions. I keep the TV off. I stay in and turn down other events, other opportunities/distractions. On the golf course I have no problem blocking out the distractions around me, and focusing in on the round. I'm sure everyone can relate to a time when they've shut off all distractions. Maybe when trying to complete a big project at school? Maybe when finishing up a big home project? Maybe on a big date? But can we say we do this when we are doing God's work? When seeking his Glory? My answer, as I'm sure many others have to honestly admit as well, is certainly that I do not do this nearly enough.
We are called to do God's work. Spread the good news. Be a positive example in society. Worship God. Love Jesus. Nowhere in this calling is there any reason for us not to enjoy the beautiful gifts we have been given in the world. Go have fun at the beach. Go to a party with family or friends. Enjoy a round of golf. Go on a date. Have a relationship. But we have to do all of these things knowing that our faith is still our #1 priority. And when it is time to go God's work, or devote time to Him, then we need to take a cue from Nehemiah, and block out all of these other distractions. If we find something in our life is distracting us from seeking God, pulling us away from the Word, or preventing us from doing God's work....then we have to find a way around this distraction.
Final Thought:
I believe the best way to fight against being distracted from God is by praying and reflecting on what are the things in our own lives that provide us the most distractions. I've recognized this same final thought in several of my postings, and continue to try and implement it in my own life. For some people its facebook. For some people its fantasy sports. For some people its TV....on and on. Being aware of what distracts you most from God is the first (and probably second third and fourth) step in making sure you do not let distractions stop you from seeking God.
"I am engaged in a great work, I can't come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?"
Nehemiah was close to completing his great work....his calling... His enemies tried to get him to pause his work, and distract him from doing God's work. He stayed strong though, pushed away the distraction.... and the rest of the story is history.
Reflection:
Our culture is rich with distractions. Television. Wealth. Power. Music. Money. Advertisements. Jewelry. Sports. Opposite sex. Beauty. Love. We find ways to navigate around these distractions all the time. During exam time, I have no issues blocking out these distractions. I keep the TV off. I stay in and turn down other events, other opportunities/distractions. On the golf course I have no problem blocking out the distractions around me, and focusing in on the round. I'm sure everyone can relate to a time when they've shut off all distractions. Maybe when trying to complete a big project at school? Maybe when finishing up a big home project? Maybe on a big date? But can we say we do this when we are doing God's work? When seeking his Glory? My answer, as I'm sure many others have to honestly admit as well, is certainly that I do not do this nearly enough.
We are called to do God's work. Spread the good news. Be a positive example in society. Worship God. Love Jesus. Nowhere in this calling is there any reason for us not to enjoy the beautiful gifts we have been given in the world. Go have fun at the beach. Go to a party with family or friends. Enjoy a round of golf. Go on a date. Have a relationship. But we have to do all of these things knowing that our faith is still our #1 priority. And when it is time to go God's work, or devote time to Him, then we need to take a cue from Nehemiah, and block out all of these other distractions. If we find something in our life is distracting us from seeking God, pulling us away from the Word, or preventing us from doing God's work....then we have to find a way around this distraction.
Final Thought:
I believe the best way to fight against being distracted from God is by praying and reflecting on what are the things in our own lives that provide us the most distractions. I've recognized this same final thought in several of my postings, and continue to try and implement it in my own life. For some people its facebook. For some people its fantasy sports. For some people its TV....on and on. Being aware of what distracts you most from God is the first (and probably second third and fourth) step in making sure you do not let distractions stop you from seeking God.
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