The Rich Life

Well, the Easter Pageant is over and all went well, according to overwhelming amount of feedback we Well, the Easter Pageant is over and all went well, according to overwhelming amount of feedback we received from audience members. I must admit, I enjoyed every tiring minute of the whole process. There were long days and nights, many rehearsals without the entire cast in attendance and many rewrites of the script. Yet God put it all together and we had three wonderful performances. I can praise the performances because it was God, not I, who made them happen.

It seems when we give control to God everything turns out as it should. Of course, like all of us, I have a problem with giving up control. It’s not that I don’t trust Him it’s just that I have this inherent desire to see things work out the way I envision them. Perhaps this comes from years of corporate training geared to manipulate the outcome. Perhaps it’s just human nature, which refuses to allow anyone or anything take control. But, when you think about it, it may just be the fear that overtakes each of us when we realize there are so many things in life that are completely out of our control; things that can have profound effects on our lives. No matter the reason, we all desperately want to control our own destiny while knowing, deep inside, that we can’t.

The scariest part of God’s calling for any of us is the fact that we must give up control. God knows this and it’s an important part of His calling. He understands our resistance knows we will experience tremendous personal growth when we let Him lead. After all, He created each and every one of us. He wants us to rely on Him so He can bless us with a life that far exceeds what our limited minds can conceive.

So I ask you to learn from my experiences. Don’t fight the one who knew you before you were born. We all have a deep yearning to know the reason for our existence. Don’t suppress it. If you truly seek the answer, He will respond. Don’t take my word for it. Expectantly ask God to prove His existence to you and He will in a unique way that will leave no doubt He is real and loves you.

 

I spent over 40 years of my life, many of those years as a believer, ignoring His call and living with a thirst for meaning because of it. Don’t make this same mistake. Don’t live your life trying to bury your emptiness. Listen for His voice; a voice that will call you to a life of serving others and caring about them that will richly reward you. Listen to Him and enjoy the unique life you were created to live.

Excuses, Excuses.

Over the past few weeks I have served on jury duty, been swamped with drama ministry activities, helped my friend frame, enclose and roof my deck, prepare and submit our income taxes, and a few other things. Some were callings; some were just the stuff we all face in everyday life. All have taught me a valuable lesson. I have used my callings and duties to ignore the one calling that promises to pay the bills and bless me with a great sense of satisfaction, my freelance writing. Not only have I allowed other activities to keep me from my greatest love, I have disappointed my mentors and editors in the process; an act for which I am truly remorseful.

We all allow ourselves to be distracted from time to time. Often, our distractions are actually good deeds. However, these distractions aren’t an excuse to ignore the important. Writing is my calling. I may someday be a great writer or I may not, but I know I’m supposed to write. And, there are people and organizations that depend, in part, on my writing. When I don’t write, and do those things that get it sold, I cause those who depend on me to suffer. Not doing what I’m called to do has a profound effect on many others. Most importantly, when I excuse myself from doing what I must, what I love, I do not contribute to family finances and that hurts the one I love the most, my wife.

Now human nature dictates that I beat myself up and spend more time not writing while I wallow in self-pity. We all have those moments when we allow our lack of action to lead to more inaction. Often this results in our giving up. But, I will not do that this time. I’ll rely on the Lord to give me the strength to press on, to run the good race. I’ll do what He has called me to do. I will not let Him or myself down. I’ll swallow my pride, make the proper apologies and get back to fulfilling my calling.

If you find yourself facing a similar situation, don’t give up and don’t give in. Whatever you allowed to distract you, forgive yourself and move on with greater resolve. Remember that there is nothing you can do that God won’t forgive, so afford yourself that same forgiveness. If you’ve hurt loved ones in the process, ask their forgiveness and renew your commitment to those relationships. They may need time to forgive you so give it to them. While you’re waiting, get back to doing what you were called to do. Get back to serving God in the way He created you to.