This evening my heart was very heavy. As I was talking with some fellow classmates, I realized that we sacrifice so much for our classes, projects and exams. We will stay up late, reading for all hours, doing whatever it takes to finish the work. Yet when God asks us for just a little bit we give Him a list of things we need to do first. How God’s heart must be grieved. Who will finish His work?
The demands of ministry do the same. God asks us to reach out to someone through a card or kind gesture, but we put it off for ‘greater need:’ finishing this email, writing that proposal or making an important phone call. Sometimes we are so consumed in how to accomplish some great good that we have forgotten the One who is good knows how to accomplish the greatest Good. The 'to do list' for changing the world is meaningless next to the mind and heart that is resting constant open communion with Him. We are quick to pray and plan; plan and pray. But how quick are we to rest and listen. Through Isaiah, God reminded Israel that "in returning and rest shall ye shall be saved.”
God is working tirelessly for the complete redemption of His children. God does not need people to abandon everything they are doing and take up full time ministry, although He may call some to do this. God needs people to seek Him wholly with our whole heart, giving Him time to speak to them in His word. Seeking Him first allows God to do this first on their to-do list, thus true transformation takes place and the world around us is changed. What is a heart that seeks Him first?
A heart that seeks Him first enjoys the uncontrolled interruptions of the day, for in these interruptions God has special blessings.
A heart that seeks Him first seeks to preserve the gift of health knowing the worries of ministry or school or family are safest with Him who is all-knowing.
A heart that seeks Him first is never hurried or rushed but is ever waiting on His promises.
A heart that seeks Him first is not indifferent to the needs of those nearest seeking opportunity to show the He has for them.
A heart that seeks Him first reads the news, articles, books, research and such in context of His eternal character of Love.
A heart that seeks Him first plans for ways for God to have the center stage in their day.
A heart that seeks Him first is satisfied in doing the work before them faithfully.
"We need a calm waiting upon God. The need of this is imperious. It is not the noise and bustle we make in the world which proves our usefulness. See how silently God works We do not hear the noise of His steps, and yet He is walking about us, laboring for our good. Jesus did not seek for notoriety; His life-giving virtue was going out to the needy and the afflicted through silent actions, whose influence extended far into all countries and was felt and expressed in the life of millions of human beings. Those who desire to labor with God have need of His Spirit every day; they need to walk and labor in meekness and humility of spirit, without seeking to accomplish extraordinary things, satisfied to do the work before them and doing it faithfully. Men may not see or appreciate their efforts, but the names of these faithful children of God are written in heaven among His noblest workers, as scattering His seed in view of a glorious harvest. "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (MS 24, 1887)
"Trust in the Lord." Each day has its
burdens, its cares, and perplexities'; and when we meet, how ready we
are to talk of our difficulties and trials. So many borrowed troubles
intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of anxiety is
expressed, that one might almost suppose that we had no pitying, loving
Saviour, ready to hear all our requests, and to be to us a present help
in every time of need....No place should be given to that
distrust of God which leads us to make a preparation against future
want the chief pursuit of life, as though our happiness consisted in
these earthly things, and we could gain them while ignoring the fact
that God controls all things.......You may be perplexed in business; your
prospects may grow darker and darker, and you may be threatened with
loss. But do not become discouraged; cast your care upon God, and
remain calm and cheerful. Begin every day with earnest prayer, not
omitting to offer praise and thanksgiving. Ask for wisdom to manage
your affairs with discretion, and thus prevent loss and disaster. Do
all you can on your part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has
promised divine aid, but not aside from human efforts. When, relying
upon your tried Helper, you have done all you can, accept the result
cheerfully. It will not always be gain from the worldling's standpoint;
but perhaps success might have been the worst thing for you. If your
confidence remains unshaken that God will do all things well, these
light afflictions will work out for you a "far more exceeding and
eternal weight of glory."(RH Feb, 3 1885)
Rediscovering the simple promises of trust avail the body of many unnecessary sleepless nights. To merely exist for the purpose of securing the needs in the future is insane! We only have today, yet the society constantly challenges us to 'do' so we can 'provide'. Go to school, get a degree, get a good job, have a good family, and so on... This only produces a vicious cycle of meaninglessness. If one experiences a lack of purpose or meaning, it might be a good a idea to reexamine the motives. There is more to life then things we fit in a shoe box. How precious is God 's promise to do His will today, knowing He will provide for tomorrow. But even more precious, is the meaning and purpose He gives us now that propels to defy the social norm daring to let God do the impossible, fulfilling prophecy.
"When the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep
will hear the true Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put
forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd.
The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united
front. In view of the common peril strife for supremacy will cease,
there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest."--6T
401 (1900)
"A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each
morning by eight o’clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly,
even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70
years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of
waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told
his room was ready.
As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description
of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his
window.
"I love it," he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just
been presented with a new puppy.
"Mr. Jones, you haven’t seen the room; just wait."
"That doesn’t have anything to do with it," he replied.
Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or
not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged. It’s how I arrange my mind.
I already decided to love it.
It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can
spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body
that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.
Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I’ll focus on the new day
and all the happy memories I’ve stored away. Just for this time in my life.
Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you’ve put in.
So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank
account of memories!"
The lesson we teach others through our day to day reaction to difficulty reveals where are trust truly lies.
Monique loves to sing. She especially loves to sing from her Aunt
Alana’s “Bible/Hymn book.” Whenever I visit one of our favorite songs
to sing together in Marching to Zion. It reminds us of the promise of
Jesus soon coming. Once we read in Nehemiah, how the people marched on
top of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem sang songs. We imagined it might
be similar when we march into the city of the New Jerusalem, Zion and
sing Marching to Zion. But recently the song has taken new meaning.
Monique attends a public schools. She longs to attend the Adventist
church school, but the doors have not opened. On Monday in her music
class she sang the song Marching to Zion to class. What a faithful
witness, but there was more. Yesterday a friend of hers was taken to
the hospital. Though the example of her grandmother, she seeks God in
difficulty. So it was no surprise when she requested to pray with
Noelle, a senior. In addition to attending the same school Noelle and
Monique attend the same church. In granting her request the teacher
asked the principal to bring Monique to Noelle so they could pray.
Later Monique admitted to grandma ‘I found the best place to pray at
school…It is in the bathroom next to the wall.”
May we also find the best place to pray resulting in a faithful witness!
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