Last week Martha and I spent several days with our daughter and her family. Brad, Emily, Reagan, and Luke Kirby live in far-south Florida (my term for where they live). How far is it? Two and a half hours past Disney.
Brad is now Senior Pastor at FBC, Jensen Beach, Florida, a wonderful congregation in a beautiful little waterfront community on the Atlantic Ocean. We got to worship with the congregation and hear Brad preach. We had a great time.
When I visit Emily, she always has jobs for me to do. Most are manageable. They have just moved to a new house and Brad left Monday morning for a week-long preaching invitation out of state.
This time some of Emily’s jobs called for skills I haven’t learned (like carpentry) and qualities I don’t possess (like patience).
As I worked through one project, it occurred to me how much household projects are like studying Scripture and leading the church. (As I write, I can see in my mind Martha rolling her eyes at my supposed-ability to complete a household project).
Here’s what I learned.
Household projects demand planning, thoughtfulness, and–yes–following directions. On more than one occasion I heard myself asking Emily, “are you sure that’s what the directions say?” It’s really easy to do what seems right to you and miss a step or leave out a vital part of the project.
We do the same with God. Instead of listening to Him and following His way, we deify our minds and go off in our own direction. We say things like, “I can’t believe in a God who _______ (fill in whatever the latest fad is).
Household projects demand patience. Did I say I am a little challenged at this?
Though I want everything done immediately and finished without difficulty, the real world isn’t this way.
The things that matter in life take time. Character, integrity, and undying devotion to God don’t blow up like a summer storm. They take time and patience. God works through everything that happens to us to mold us in His image.
Sometimes you have to start over. This past week every job Emily had for me had to be started over.
I don’t like starting over, but I like the results.
What would my life be like if I didn’t start over? Remorse, repentance, and begging God for His help has blessed me immensely.
How are you at following God’s directions, waiting on Him, and confessing your need for Him?
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May God bless you.
6 Responses
Confessing my need in Him is the easy part, I recognize this first and easiest.. My issues, or maybe better stated lacking, are in the other areas. Following Gods direction for me is hardest and I guess it may be the hardest part for everyone. It’s knowing and recognizing His direction that I have difficulty with. I admit there are times when I know without a doubt God is guiding and directing me but those times are few. It’s the everyday decisions and oddities of life that I struggle with. I begin each day asking God to lead, guide, and direct me through the day but still struggle.. Then there’s the waiting. I sometimes make myself think I’ve waited enough or too long and will do something or say something hoping I have not stepped outside His will, but I’m never sure about this. Is it just me? I sure hope not. Knowing even the pastor has these difficulties is comforting and I am thankful that you share this. Enjoy your down time and know I am here if there is ever anything I can do for you and the family.
Thanks for your willingness to help.
Thanks for your comments as well. I tend to want to run ahead of God. One of my many needs is taking my needs to Him and waiting for Him to act in His way–not mine.
What a wonderful case study of Romans 12:5; what a wonderful example of an offering that should be available to every member of His Body.
Blessings
Every blog is a blessing God I know is working in ya’lls ministry
John, thanks so much. Have a blessed day.
Fixing situations and starting over have been a way of life for me. But with the Lord[s help it just gets better. Marge