Days Like Today

Today, like many days in the ministry, was quite busy. There were planning sessions mixed with vision and adjustments, along with fellowship over lunch with two other Pastors who serve in our area. We shared stories of our successes, experiences, and yes even perceived failures. It was a day of accomplishments that has ended with a strong sense of gratitude. My wife and I made a trip to Piedmont Hospital for a visit with a twenty-two-year-old young woman who should be officially added to the liver transplant list tomorrow. I was moved by her tenacity, her smile and unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Though her skin may have a touch of jaundice, and her eyes appear weary from the pain of infection that has attacked her body, she smiles and presses on. She reminded me that we are never alone. In all our trial and tribulations, just as in our best days, Jesus is always with us. Throughout all these years of serving the Lord, I have found there will be days that end great, but there will be plenty that will not. Is God weak? Does He not care about our struggles? James said,

James 1:2-4 TLB2 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, 3 for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.

It is days like today that remind me of what true success is. Trusting Jesus Christ through each season of life is a priceless opportunity. There will be times that we will feel as if we are calling from the roadside like blind Bartimaeus or pressing through the crowd to touch just the hymn of His garment, as the lady with the issue of blood. There will come seasons of trusting His promise, like that of the widow woman who fed the prophet first. If I could encourage you in something, It would be this, Know that God hears, sees and cares about what you are facing. He will meet your need if you will just trust Him.

Matthew 6:33

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Slow your roll. Jesus is waiting.

Some days seem to rock on smoothly. Some seem to be filled with challenge and controversy, but at the end of the day to whom we have given the most intimate time to will define how all the pieces will fall. The reality of life's responsibilities, work, serving our families, ministries, all of these sometime catch up with us. Is it possible that Satan, like the thief that He is, is just waiting for us to be so consumed with all the task at hand, so that we are no longer vigilant.  I learned a long time ago that busy does not mean productive. 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

God longs for us to sit with Him, to slow our roll through life, and spend time at His feet. 

Luke 10:38-42 
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”  

My encouragement to you is this, acknowledge what is distracting you. Identify what looked like a blessing but was really a distraction and return to what is most important. Spend time at the feet of Jesus.  At His feet we are humble, looking up and fed by the Master of the Universe. 

At the feet of Jesus our perspective is forever changed.  

Matthew 11:28-29 
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.