We can become very self-absorbed. Be focused on self and not on others. Look to make ourselves feel good and be happy at the expense or neglect of those around us. Jesus tells the parable in Luke 15 of the shepherd who owns 100 sheep and loses just one of them. He drops everything and goes out to find that one. Once that one is found, the party begins! Friends and neighbors join the celebration for that one sheep that was lost but is now found. The party is not for the other 99 that didn't wander away and get lost...NO...it is for the one that was lost.
Our greatest effort should be to impact the lives of others. We spend so much of our time throwing a party for the already found, when we should be out and seeking those that have wandered away and are lost. Bill Hybels, in his little book, "When Leadership and Discipleship Collide" says this, "What we work for in ministry leadership is the single most important endeavor on planet Earth - the building of the kingdom of God. The potential of this kingdom is greater than any other, and the stakes involved in realizing it are higher. When we get it right, and especially when we don't, we impact people's eternities (emphasis mine)."
WOW...I had to stop after reading that and put the book down...in the quiet of that moment, I had to ask myself...is what I am doing really impacting someone's eternity...really helping them toward the kingdom of God?
What a sobering thought for us all.
December 12, 2007
December 5, 2007
So You Had A Bad Day
Have you had one lately??? No, not a V8, but a bad day. How did you respond to it? Do you look forward to those or do you avoid them at all costs? Some bad days are our own fault...others just happen.
In Genesis 37-50, Joseph has many bad days -- Daddy's boy, great clothes, hated by his brothers -- brothers want to kill him, but instead sell him to a passing caravan -- falsely accused by the wife of his boss and thrown into prison -- tells some friends the outcome of their dreams and they forget him in the prison once they get out. But instead of sitting and having a pity party for himself, he does something unique - he views these days through the lenses that God is looking through. He views each of these as part of the plan that God has for him.
When he finally tells his brothers who he is, he says, "...do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you...but God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance" (Genesis 45:5 -7).
Then after his father dies, he assures his brothers again, "...don't be afraid...you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:19-20).
The thought we need to remember is this, "...whatever the circumstance, whatever the testing, whatever the pressure, I'll keep myself useable to God". I will view my bad days through the lens that God is viewing my days through...He is using them to prepare me, so I will keep myself useable for Him.
In Genesis 37-50, Joseph has many bad days -- Daddy's boy, great clothes, hated by his brothers -- brothers want to kill him, but instead sell him to a passing caravan -- falsely accused by the wife of his boss and thrown into prison -- tells some friends the outcome of their dreams and they forget him in the prison once they get out. But instead of sitting and having a pity party for himself, he does something unique - he views these days through the lenses that God is looking through. He views each of these as part of the plan that God has for him.
When he finally tells his brothers who he is, he says, "...do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you...but God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance" (Genesis 45:5 -7).
Then after his father dies, he assures his brothers again, "...don't be afraid...you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:19-20).
The thought we need to remember is this, "...whatever the circumstance, whatever the testing, whatever the pressure, I'll keep myself useable to God". I will view my bad days through the lens that God is viewing my days through...He is using them to prepare me, so I will keep myself useable for Him.
Understanding God's Timing
In the book of Genesis we read of the man known as Abram (or Abraham). At the age of 75 he is given a promise by God to be a great nation. God calls him to leave his home and go where He leads him (Genesis 12). Abraham willingly follows and does as God has commanded him. But time moves slowly and the great nation doesn't materialize as quickly as Abraham may have expected. He questions God and God reaffirms the promise (Genesis 15). Again, time moves slowly so Abraham and Sarah take matters in their own hands and Abraham has a son by Hagar (Sarah's maidservant). Now, once again, God comes to reaffirm the promise He had made to Abraham (Genesis 17). Abraham laughs at God, as does Sarah, when they hear of God's plan to begin to fulfill the promise when they are both old. Finally, at the age of 100 years old, Abraham and Sarah have the promised son, Isaac (Genesis 21).
Promise made...25 years of waiting...promise kept. In those years Abraham had his ups and downs of believing and obeying the God who made the promise. He even tried to help God out along the way.
Aren't we the same??? Don't we often question the plans of God and the timing of God in our lives? Don't we expect God to move faster or move the way we think He ought to? Don't we step in and try to give God a helping hand every once in a while?
I am struck by the phrase in Genesis 21:2, "Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him". God is never late...He is never forgetful in keeping His promises...He is never too far from us to see us and gently remind us of all that He has promised.
So the question is, will you and I believe the promises of God and wait for Him to accomplish what He wants in our life? Will we put our own timeline aside and allow God to work "at just the right time"?
Promise made...25 years of waiting...promise kept. In those years Abraham had his ups and downs of believing and obeying the God who made the promise. He even tried to help God out along the way.
Aren't we the same??? Don't we often question the plans of God and the timing of God in our lives? Don't we expect God to move faster or move the way we think He ought to? Don't we step in and try to give God a helping hand every once in a while?
I am struck by the phrase in Genesis 21:2, "Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him". God is never late...He is never forgetful in keeping His promises...He is never too far from us to see us and gently remind us of all that He has promised.
So the question is, will you and I believe the promises of God and wait for Him to accomplish what He wants in our life? Will we put our own timeline aside and allow God to work "at just the right time"?
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