Before Me

Paul writes in Galatians, "But when He who had set me apart before I was born , and who called me by His grace..."

Can you imagine the joy between the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit? Before the foundations of the world... knowing that throughout all of history the moment would come when Paul, (who left to his own devices wreaks havoc on the young church)  does a complete turn around and becomes God's greatest missionary. He didn't just translate God's word, He dictated it!!!

I have been thinking lately about the party in Heaven that the scriptures speak of. that when anyone gives there life to Christ there is a celebration in heaven. I believe it all begins with the Father.

A friend told me once that she believed that it was very difficult for God to not rescue us from our troubles. He restrains Himself so that the "work can have it's prefect way in us." He knows the greater good comes from allowing us to find Him in it. If He spoke a word into our situations and everything was great, we would probably forget about him. That would be devastating.

He love is so grand. He is perfectly patient with us. Waiting for that time when He is able to unfold those purposes that He has established us for.

Thank goodness we don't have the business to know what the future holds.

BUT....

We have the incredible blessing of knowing intimately, the One who holds our future.

Done Hungry

How is it that so much can be done in one day, so much experienced, so many loved, so much food prepared, and so many lessons taught, and yet there is such a lack of satisfaction felt? How the things I do are so seemingly meaningful and seem to be such important things to do, yet as each one is accomplished the joy is not replenished and my tender, weak soul feels the lack. Just as my spider-plant's leaves shrivel when my lack of attention leaves its roots dry, I feel my soul roots starving for water.

Living Water.

I used to think it was a daily duty. Like making dinner and brushing my teeth. A check off chore that would keep my mind, soul, and body able to see the day through without catastrophe.
Then I learned...

I learned by running. It started fast walking, and then...then I got hungry to run. So now I run...then I get hungry. Really hungry. The more I run the hungrier I get.

I am finding it's like that running with Jesus. When we work hard our appetites increase. When we worship hard, our roots get stronger and spread farther and I need to feed more often to nourish them. I drink The Living Water and I chew on The Daily Bread. That is where the satisfaction comes.

I was too busy these last few days. Focused on this and that. All good things, but not the most important One. Now my soul is weary, but I have sat at the Father's feet for a couple of hours and feel refreshed. Tired in the flesh, but renewed in my spirit!

I encourage you today to rest in God's Word. Set the thoughts of time aside and focus on Jesus, The Gospel, and his tender-loving care for you. Praise Him for bringing our lack of focus on Him to our attention and ask Him to fill us with the ability to see how often we do need him.

Jesus alone can satisfy. Nothing else will do. Some days all  I really need... is more of Him.