Practically Necessary Tasks

Mark 16:3 - On the way they were asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"

The disciples had scattered and were in mourning over Jesus' death. Probably a little confused and wondering what to do next. No one had the courage to bury his body, so a member of the high council did. Some of the women, out of respect and reverence to Jesus brought spices to anoint his body. They had no idea what was waiting for them. I love how the main topic of their discussion on the way over was how they would roll the stone away. It was a practical, yet necessary, concern. They knew they wouldn't be able to do it on their own strength, so they were discussing it to prepare for it. Then they could get to their real purpose of going - to anoint Jesus' body.

Often I feel like these little practical necessary tasks overwhelm my day and overwhelm me as I try to figure out how to get them done. Often to the point that I loose sight of the bigger picture and the purpose behind all the little daily tasks. Jesus would remind me that it's good to plan and prepare how I'm going to move the stone, knowing I can't do it on my own strength. Yet it shouldn't consume or be the focus of my thoughts. I need to focus on the bigger picture and be willing to work with people toward the greater purpose, trusting that God will help me with these little necessary tasks that tend to overwhelm me. If I surrender them to him, it no longer becomes something I have to do on my own strength. It's Jesus' burden and he will move the stone for me.

Thank you Lord for taking care of every detail of my life. Help me to cast all my worries and burdens on you and not try to do things on my own strength. Help me to realign my heart with yours to be able to always see the bigger picture, the greater purpose.

Overtaking Emotions

Mark 3:29, 30 - 'but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences." He told them this because they were saying, "He's possessed by an evil Spirit."

Jesus had enemies. It was inevitable because the message he shared was offensive if the hearer wasn't willing to examine themselves and repent. His biggest critics were the teachers of religious law. They were so stubborn and knew their way of thinking and living was the only way. They convinced themselves God was on their side and therefore they could never be wrong. And furthermore, anyone who challenged them was against God. They made a huge assumption without even giving 2nd thought to any of the truths Jesus shared. This is the danger Jesus was warning against - failing to see and acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit. The teachers of religious law accused Jesus of being possessed by an evil spirit, when in reality he was doing the work of the one true Spirit.

I know I probably don't do this to that high or dangerous degree. But I know I fail to see God's spirit working. Whether it be out of pride, jealousy, or head knowledge, I often don't see God working through someone and I dismiss or blow them off because I am frustrated with them. In the long run I can see God working, but it's in the day to day moments that I let my emotions get the best of me, instead of being directed by the Holy Spirit. I don't openly blaspheme the Holy Spirit, I do it subtly, without even realizing it, when I dismiss someones idea or fail to see their heart either because it means more work for me or because I allow myself to hurt by relying too much on my emotions. It's hard especially at work, surrounded by all guys - guys who communicated differently or who don't communicated at all. It's hard to see and acknowledge God working sometimes because I am so quick to dismiss new ways of doing things or because I get hurt or take things personally too easily. I don't want to default so quickly to the "easy" way. I want to default to God's way and be able to see him working instead of getting my emotions involved or being unwilling to work harder.

Lord teach me to see you working in the midst of challenge. Teach me how to deal with my emotions and to be able to serve you without hindrance. I know I let my emotions prevent me from fully serving you some moments, because I can be hurt so easily. Make me more like you. Forgive me for not seeing your hand working and for even dismissing your Spirit working because of wanting to do the minimum work required. Give me a new heart and mind and show me how to better communicate with those around me, especially the guys who I have trouble understanding sometimes.

Daily Communication

Mark 1:37, 38 - When they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you." But Jesus replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came."

Jesus has just begun his ministry. He's reached the point of popularity and busyness. So it was important to realign his heart daily with His father. I am wondering here if Jesus didn't communicate what he was doing. He got up early, probably before everyone else and spent time alone in his father's presence. But he didn't leave a note or anything and the disciples went looking for him. They were staying in Peter's hometown and getting pretty comfortable with home cooked meals and such. Jesus knew it was time to move on, only after spending time with the Father. He was reminded of his purpose and calling, only after removing himself from his comfortable bed and away from his friends. I need to remember to do the same and also allow those in my life to do the same. I get upset when things aren't communicated. But I need to allow God to work even in the midst of it. I probably would have been frustrated with Jesus for not letting me know where he went. Yet he was doing what I should be doing - spending alone time with his father and renewing his purpose and calling. It was a daily thing that the disciples soon learned that it was important for Jesus to have that time so he could lead them well, share the vision, and renew his personal calling. As a leader I need to do the same and allow and encourage those around me to do it also. I can't get so upset when there are miscommunications to the point that I miss the bigger picture of God's heart. Lord help me to realign my heart and will with yours everyday. Open my eyes when I am blinded by under communication. Help me not to get so caught up in communicating with others that I fail to communicate with you.

Imprisoned, ignored, shipwrecked, and then bitten by a snake

Acts 28:3 - As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand.

Paul was traveling as a prisoner to Rome. He knew God was with him and would never leave him. So he spoke with confidence from the discernment given to him from the Lord. He warned the officer in charge of the prisoners to tell the captain of the ship not to go on from Fair Havens because they would face a storm. No one listened to Paul and they became shipwrecked for 3 months. After being abandoned by their ship and swimming to shore, they are welcomed by natives. Out of his heart to serve Paul helps to make the fire. But in the process of helping, a snake bites him. What terrible timing! After all the hardships and the knowledge of being able to prevent half of them, but remaining helpless because no one would listen to finally finding safety, Paul gets bit by a snake. It's like a cherry on top of a cake. God could have easily prevented it from happening and allowed Paul to just relax for a moment. I mean Paul was in the midst of going out of his way to help with the fire the natives built. Yet God allowed the snake to bite him so he could be more glorified in Paul's life. If Paul hadn't found his real sense of safety and comfort by then, he wouldn't have been able to serve the way he was. It was like another reminder that God is in control and nothing can harm Paul. I need to remember this especially in the midst of self-pity, bitterness, and annoyance when nothing seems to be going my way. God is in control and no matter the circumstances, I am safe in his arms, nothing can harm me. Lord help me to always know you are in control and all things will work together for good to bring you glory in my life.

Distraction as Opportunity

Acts 16:17,18 - She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved." This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And instantly it left her.

Paul and Silas went out on a second missionary journey where they met Timothy and witnessed many come to Jesus. They were led by the Spirit and pursued him for daily direction. In Philippi they extended their stay as they quickly saw how God was blessing it. Yet they faced a bump in the road, an annoying distraction, a girl who followed them shouting who they were and what they were doing everywhere they went. It happened for several days, which I'm sure got really annoying. As they were trying to minister to people or share Jesus with them, there was this girl shouting nearby. She was like a leech that wouldn't leave them alone. Finally Paul couldn't take it anymore so he commanded the evil spirit to leave her at once. This action led him to prison. He didn't calmly or graciously try to deal with this girl - it was out of annoyance that he approached her. Although God used the situation for his glory to reach the prison ward and his family, I wonder what would have happened if Paul approached the annoyance differently.

Reminds me of my job and ministry at the church. There are a handful of people and circumstances that arise that annoy me. They are like bumps in the road that I see merely as distractions to the task at hand. Like Paul sometimes I just want to (and often do) command them by raising my voice to stop annoying me. They are distracting me from my goal and all I want to do is get around them and move on. Yet I wonder if God is trying to open my eyes to see those people and circumstances the way he does. Sometimes I get so set on a goal, often a worthy goal that I am called to complete, that I don't allow for any distractions. I don't like being interrupted or sidetracked, which may cause me to miss an area or person where and in whom God is working. Maybe I'm being too much like Martha when God is trying to get me to sit at his feet and relax. Or maybe I'm being like the disciples who told the children not to bother Jesus, when Jesus is saying take your focus off the "worthy cause" you are working on and pay attention to my children who just need a listening ear or arms to be embraced in. Or maybe I'm being like Judas who objected to wasting money on perfume in worshipping Jesus, when Jesus is trying to turn my attention to the relationship he is building, not so much the money being used.

Lord open my eyes to where and how and in whom you are working. Help me to see annoyances as opportunities and to see distractions as reminders from you to be open to the many ways you work. That slave girl was proclaiming truth about Paul and Silas and she could have been helping them more then they realized. Lord help me not to put you in a box and only expect you to work in a certain way. Help me to see you working even in the things and people that annoy me or frustrate me. I love you Lord with all my heart.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

Nehemiah 7:5 - So God gave me the idea to call together all the nobles and leaders of the city, along with the ordinary citizens, for registration.

Nehemiah served the Lord with all his heart, so much so, that it affected every part of his life - even his thoughts. I love how he gives all credit to the Lord - even his ideas. He could have easily said that he thought of this idea all on his own. But instead he gave the credit to the Lord for something so simple as an idea for better organization of the people. He saw God a the originator of all thought and all inspiration. This year the Lord has been teaching me to live like this - to surrender every part of me to him, to allow him to work through me even in the simplest insignificant ways. Like when I forget to do something and I'm headed out the door and suddenly I remember it. I immediately say (often out loud) thank you Lord for reminding me! or if I am debating to wear a certain outfit, I look in the mirror and ask the Lord what he thinks, to help me in this very minor decision that is often more important to me then it should be. By returning my focus to the Lord in every detail of my day, I am walking closer with him. It's like having the perfect best friend or husband with me at all times, inspiring me, reminding me, encouraging me, helping me make decisions, and loving me. I love living so intimately close to my Savior and God. Nehemiah reminds me today that all that I am and all that I do is because of the Lord. Without him I am nothing. I have no good ideas, I forget everything I'm supposed to remember, I look awful, and I am completely unqualified. Yet because of Christ I am not lacking in anything, I am completely whole. Thank you Lord for caring about every detail of my life and for being with me every second of the day. I don't ever want to leave your side. Please use me and work through me. You are my everything.

Risking Comfort

Esther 9:30 - Letters wishing peace and security were sent to the Jews throughout the 127 provinces of the empire of Xerses.

Although by most standards Esther lived a life of comfort, she had to find her security in God. As a young woman she was forced to leave her home and it's comfort to be brought to the palace as a possible candidate for queen. Even if she was not chosen as queen, her life would be forever changed as she would become one of the king's concubines (2:14). Yet instead of complain or mourn or dwell on her former life, she surrendered her will to the Lord's. Even in becoming queen in a life of royal comfort, she didn't have the security we often think is necessary to live and serve the Lord. Her very life was on the line as she risked her life to approach the king on behalf of the Jews. We all treasure security, especially as Christians in America. When my security or peace is in question it is hard for me to fully serve the Lord. When there is conflict in my relationships or if there is trouble or discomfort in any part of my life, it is difficult to fully focus on what God has called me to. Yes when this happens, I must do what I can to live at peace with everyone and make things right. But I must know that only when my security rests on God and his unchanging nature can I truly face life's challenges. I won't always be at peace or living in comfort, so I must learn to be willing to risk my definition of security and learn to let God be my ultimate security. God has not placed me in my present position for my own benefit. Like Esther, he has me here to serve him and that may involve risking my security and comfort. Thank you Lord for being the Prince of Peace and for surrounding me with your covering of protection. Help me to surrender my sense of security and my comfort to you. Prepare me now for all you have called me to.