More often than you may realize, your circumstance is a product of your unwillingness to change it.
One of my favorite examples is of a place where I used to work. After two years, I realized that my fabulous career had become a mundane 9-to-5 job. I was miserable. Then I realized that for years, I had been telling people, “If you don’t like your situation, change it!” It was time to practice what I taught.
After complaining, crying, and some prayer and fasting, I woke up one morning and turned in my resignation. It wasn't an easy decision with all of my family's financial responsibilities. However, I did it with the faith of knowing that God is my "source" and my job is only a "re-source." And to God be the glory, I had a new job within a week at a place that I actually enjoyed. I was back to loving what I did and I loved where I was doing it.
Your first reaction may be, “That’s great for you, but not everybody can do that!” Says who? Fear and faith cannot coexist, so if you are afraid of making a major change, of course it is impossible to do it. But I believe what I am told in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I never recommend trying to change your situation alone. Seek God’s direction as we’re told in Proverbs 3:5 – 6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Something going on in your life you don’t like? Change it! What are your thoughts? Leave a comment!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Importance of Being Unimportant
Why is it so important for people to be important? Today’s celebrities seem to be nothing but glory hounds that will do just about anything to be seen, heard, and recognized. It trickles down to everyday life, where people seem to be doing more and more outrageous things to gain some kind of notoriety. Just turn on any reality TV show, for starters.
There are very few people in this day and age who seem to shy away from the cameras or the recognition. Someone once told me that he loves his position in church – in the “Cleanup Ministry.” He’s the one in the sanctuary after service with a broom and dustpan. Interestingly enough, no one ever tries to take his broom away from him, or fight for his position. He is a committee of one, just getting the job done for the glory of God.
The psalmist recognized the importance of keeping a low profile and staying close to God. He wrote in Psalm 84:10, “…I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” He would rather be a simple man standing on his feet all day, working in the house of the Lord than to live in the fabulous tents – or the “cribs” – of the moneymakers and shotcallers (you know, the very “important” people) of his day.
Does wealth and fame go hand in hand with wickedness? Not necessarily. But the love of money, the greed for material things, the lust for fame…those are all things that can separate us from serving God and trying to please him.
Do you find it important to be important? Why or why not? Leave a comment!
There are very few people in this day and age who seem to shy away from the cameras or the recognition. Someone once told me that he loves his position in church – in the “Cleanup Ministry.” He’s the one in the sanctuary after service with a broom and dustpan. Interestingly enough, no one ever tries to take his broom away from him, or fight for his position. He is a committee of one, just getting the job done for the glory of God.
The psalmist recognized the importance of keeping a low profile and staying close to God. He wrote in Psalm 84:10, “…I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” He would rather be a simple man standing on his feet all day, working in the house of the Lord than to live in the fabulous tents – or the “cribs” – of the moneymakers and shotcallers (you know, the very “important” people) of his day.
Does wealth and fame go hand in hand with wickedness? Not necessarily. But the love of money, the greed for material things, the lust for fame…those are all things that can separate us from serving God and trying to please him.
Do you find it important to be important? Why or why not? Leave a comment!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Do Over!
Have you ever wished you could just start all over again? Just forget about everything and start from scratch? When we were playing games as kids, I remember that when all hope was lost, someone would call, “Do Over!” and we’d start all over again.
Maybe we can still call, “Do Over!” every now and again. The other morning, I woke up really late. I looked at the clock and became upset and jumped out of bed with a foul attitude. Then I decided, why not try a do over? I hit the snooze button and went back to sleep. When the alarm rang the second time, I praised God for waking me up, figured out what I could do to get out of the house quickly, and restarted my day – this time with a better attitude and outlook.
Maybe it’s time to give that story you’re writing a fresh start. Perhaps you can restart a project you’ve been working on. Maybe it’s time for something new in your life.
Jesus gave us the opportunity for the ultimate “do over.” We find that in John 3:3-8, Jesus tells Nicodemus that a man must be born again to reach the kingdom of God. When we are born again, we become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17) and given the opportunity to live our lives with a fresh, new start.
What area of your life demands a “do over?” Leave a comment.
Maybe we can still call, “Do Over!” every now and again. The other morning, I woke up really late. I looked at the clock and became upset and jumped out of bed with a foul attitude. Then I decided, why not try a do over? I hit the snooze button and went back to sleep. When the alarm rang the second time, I praised God for waking me up, figured out what I could do to get out of the house quickly, and restarted my day – this time with a better attitude and outlook.
Maybe it’s time to give that story you’re writing a fresh start. Perhaps you can restart a project you’ve been working on. Maybe it’s time for something new in your life.
Jesus gave us the opportunity for the ultimate “do over.” We find that in John 3:3-8, Jesus tells Nicodemus that a man must be born again to reach the kingdom of God. When we are born again, we become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17) and given the opportunity to live our lives with a fresh, new start.
What area of your life demands a “do over?” Leave a comment.
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