I truly love my work with Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. Click here for the website. When I wholeheartedly believe in something, I can work tirelessly for hours. Heading up a non-profit Christian ministry is a full time job. There's no pay, but the "eternal benefits" are great!!
My problem is that I find myself with many plates in the air spinning. I will use a shoehorn if I have to, to try to squeeze one more agenda item into my day. You see, if I don't, then that might mean one more child in the Middle East taken into slavery. One more child kidnapped and made to train for jihad against the "infidels" (which are you and me). One more child who remains orphaned on the streets with no food in their stomach. I can't sleep at night knowing that might happen.
With what's going on in the world....it goes without saying that my sleep patterns have not been the best. We just came off a successful "Sphere of Influence" fundraising campaign by my wonderful Board. Instead of allowing myself to bask in the goodness of what God had just done, and simply REST, my mind was off and running on the subject of what's next?? What's in the pipeline for when those resources are used up.?
It's no coincidence that I read these words of scripture this morning in my friend, Mary Carver's blog post:
"It's useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones." (Psalm 127:2)
That is me, in a nutshell, working anxiously from early morning until late at night. (and then am unable to sleep)
This is NOT the model God has set before me...
For God gives rest to his loved ones!!
Even God rested on the seventh day. Wouldn't I do well to imitate His example??
When I get myself worked up into a twit, the husband of one of my Board members reminds me:
Manna for today, Bev, only for today!
What is this saying about my level of faith and trust in God when I am tirelessly trying to make things happen in my own strength? I think that's nasty pride sneaking in here. This, after all, is God's ministry. He's got this.
He can only use me and work through me if I get myself out of the way first.
Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. (Exodus 16:4)
What must God think when He sees me trying, not only, to scoop up enough manna for today, but stuffing some in pockets, my purse, my bra even to be sure I have enough for tomorrow?
He's testing my faith and trust in Him that He will give me each day what I need for that day.
Sad to say, I am not passing the test. This is such an important principle, that the disciples referred back to it in their gospel accounts.
Jesus says, "He (my Father) gave them bread out of heaven to eat."
(John 6:31)
I don't produce my own bread...God does. If He looks out after the birds of the field, and He looked out after His people Israel, won't He look out after HIS children in the Middle East?? Won't he look out for me?
Oh me of little faith...
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)
So what is the antidote for not worrying about tomorrow?
Go to the verse before Matthew 6:34. Matthew 6:33 says:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Rest...Come away...Seek FIRST His kingdom...Trust Him...Do Not Worry...Do Not Be Anxious...Why???
"It's useless for you."
"It's useless for you."
"It's useless for you."
"Manna for today, Bev, only for today..."
Do you have too many plates spinning? Are you having trouble resting today because you're worrying about tomorrow? Do you trust God to give you each day what you need for that day? Do you need to rest and come away?
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for living my life with my foot always on the gas pedal. Forgive me for my pride that has me anxiously trying to do things (even good things for you) in my own strength. Help me to rest, and come away with you awhile each and every day so that I can be renewed to do your work. Help me to trust you and have faith in you that you have tomorrow...it has already been written in your book. Give me the peace and calm that lets me know that You've Got This!! Be with the precious children in the Middle East, put a hedge of protection around them. After all, they are truly YOUR children. In Jesus loving name I pray, Amen.
Be blessed...
ps. We need your help to stand up to the travesty happening to Christians and children in the Middle East. Are you tired of the hatred being perpetrated and taught to the next generation?
There is hope!!! By offering orphaned and impoverished children (prey for extremists) peace, protection, hope, and love in a Christian school environment, we are teaching children to reach out in love, not hate.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE
Don't let this be their reality...
Thank you!
Thank you for these words! I am an "all in" kind of person too. I'm not sure why I think this is best but I embrace it and then crash and burn when it becomes too much. I know about rest, have written about rest and love to rest but the lesson does not seem to stick. Every time I read or hear the words from Matthew 6:34 I am humbled and reminded that we are not meant to do it all. In the pause of soaking in those words, I need to start believing them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful reminder! I always love being here!
Mary,
DeleteOh how I've done the "crash and burn" so many times!! You'd think I would have learned by now??? I continually need to re-learn the importance of rest and more specifically resting in Him. Joining with you in wanting those words of Matthew 6:34 to sink deeply into us!
Love you my friend,
Bev
Dear Bev ... your passion for ministry, for the wounded and the hurting is inspiring. Thank you for sharing where you are because it gives us, your readers, cause for pause, a space to look at our own hearts, our own commitments, our own zeal.
ReplyDeleteNot to compare them with yours in a bad way, just to challenge our own souls ...
Linda,
DeleteYes, I have passion, but I need to learn to be a slow burn and not just a burst of flame and then die out. It requires learning, patience, and refinement. Thankful that the Lord is not finished with me yet. So good to have you here, friend!
Blessings,
Bev
Oh Bev, what a good word today. I love your interpretation: "oh Me of little faith." Preach, sister. Prayers for God to continue this good work y'all've begun with the Redeemer ministry. And, to give you rest...from within and from without. ((grace upon grace, my friend))
ReplyDeleteBrenda,
DeleteThank you for your sweet blessing. With all that God has faithfully brought me through, you'd think that it would be me of great faith?! I love the work that I am doing...but if I'm going to work...I need to take time for rest. Thank you for this reminder!
Blessings and hugs,
Bev
Bev, this is such a hard lesson for me to learn too. I want so badly to do and do more, but God just wants me to rest. Thanks for this beautiful reminder, friend. He can only use us if we're rested and fully surrendered to Him. xoxo
ReplyDeleteAbby,
DeleteAmen - He can only use us if we're rested and fully surrendered to Him!! I need to learn to pace myself better. This race is a long race and I need to be built for endurance and not just speed!
Blessings friend,
Bev xoxo
God is using your words this very day -- I'm at a kind of crossroads, trusting God for light to plan my summer days, and I've got all these spinning plates . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks for words that press me toward trust.
Michele,
DeleteSo you are not a good "plate spinner" either? I don't think God meant for us to keep all these plates spinning in the air. I don't think Mary, who was the sister that sat at Jesus' feet was a plate spinner, and I want to be more like her. So glad you found encouragement here.
Blessings,
Bev
May the Lord bless your ministry, Bev. You are doing a great work. May He also give you grace to do your small portion, and go to bed (early? :-) ) at night, trusting Him to do the rest. I so get what you're saying about working as if things rested on our shoulder. So grateful along with you for daily manna!
ReplyDeleteBetsy,
DeleteThank you for your prayers and blessings upon our school and ministry...I TRULY appreciate it. Yes, I need to trust more and remember that it's not all up to me...this is God's ministry and these are HIS children. Joining you in thanks for daily manna!
Blessings sweet friend,
Bev
Such an important message. I loved the book - The Rest of God by Mark Buchanen. I think it would be a huge blessing to you. :) Visiting from #tellhisstory
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela,
DeleteSounds like a great book for me to read and ponder...I'll have to get my hands on a copy. Thanks for this insight and encouragement!! So glad you popped by!
Blessings,
Bev
I needed these words today! I definitely have too many plates spinning, but am fighting kicking and screaming not to slow down. It's hard to rest and slow down, hard to accept just enough manna for today and not be working toward tomorrow, hard to focus on only what needs to be done today. A friend keeps reminding me - it's gotta be in God's time and in God's way, not your time and your way.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wise friend...it does have to be in God's time and in His way. When we force our own way and try to do it all in our own power, it spells what I am convicted of a lot, and that is pride. The enemy will use our sense of pride to make us think we don't have to rely and depend on God because he wants to separate us from God. Don't let the enemy win...
DeleteBlessings friend (I'm right there with you),
Bev
I have this tendency too, Bev. I want to accomplish so much for God and yet some of it is not mine to accomplish! I too much rest in the Lord to do the work through me and for me. It's just a fine line between the two sometimes ... knowing when to get out of His way and when to take bold and big steps of faith. Thanks for sharing this thought-provoking and convicting post, my friend!
ReplyDeleteBeth,
DeleteI struggle with that too - wanting to say, But, God...I'm doing this all for you. If we are doing it "for" God, that's "self". If we are letting God do it "through" us then God gets the glory. That's where I have to ask myself...where is my life arrow pointing. It definitely is a challenge!
Blessings,
Bev
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