Remember that old acronym from Sunday school which taught us God’s order of importance?
Jesus
Others
You
That is the key to JOY. This week by shutting out the one thing that I was obsessively fixating on (idol), I could turn my spirit to God and my time to others. Looking back it’s hard to believe this has only been a week. We’ve been busy! Here are some highlights organized by the titles God gave.
Gracious Receiver
The week started with a lesson in receiving. Pastor has been teaching on God’s provision through our giving. This week he directed us to Philippians 4:10-20. Two things stood out to me. 1) Paul went through times of plenty and times of struggle but in all things he learned to be content because his focus was on God. 2) Paul was a gracious receiver. I had never looked at verse 15 that way before. Often I will not ask or will respond with “Oh no, don’t bother” when someone wants to bless me so as not to be a bother. Pastor pointed out that when we reject a gift we deny the giver the opportunity to obey God’s leading and the blessing He wants to give them. This week I accepted a pan of brownies so that I would not go to a potluck empty handed.
Needs Presenter
A couple of weeks ago the suggestion was given in church to write down all of our needs and present them to God. This week I finally did. at the top of the list was Buyers. Mom and Dad are remodeling their home and have asked me to sell several things from decorations and furniture to appliances and building materials. In the past I have been completely unsuccessful with craigslist and online yard sales and sorta successful with eBay. This week we found a consignment store for all of the furniture and decorations and they are all gone! Then we received email inquires on every one of our craigslist posts and two sold for sure! This week I did not focus on my needs. I wrote them down, presented them to Him, and then believed He would provide in His way and His time. He did.
Community Builder
God has given many opportunities to meet new people and reconnect with old friends. With the start of the new month I asked the World Race team to join me in reading through Psalm and Proverbs. To observe Yom Kippur He lead me to a new congregation where a warm welcome awaited. Some of the other Racers have been sharing about how God is leading them in fundraising. He told me to build a community through personal interaction and conversations. It’s a new title for me. I’ve thought of myself as a networker, but He is adding a new depth.
Worthy
He gave Psalm 8 and the song Friend of God as confirmation that He has chosen me, and I am worthy of that choice because He made it.
Companion
He said, “Commune with Me.” As I turned my focus to Him and spend sweet, quiet time with Him, He affirmed that we are in this journey together. He is my partner and companion. When I think of Yeshua I see us walking a wooded path together and apart from the world. Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy: At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Youngster
I’ve talked about having let go of fears, doubts, and lies before God could begin opening doors to missions. The last fear I held onto was “You are too old.” I’ll be 32 in December and am not old by any means, but I think of myself as too old for missions. Especially when the majority of my team next year is 23 and under! (It’s still looking like I will be the oldest.) Today I met an 85 year old missionary. She was saved at 45, entered Bible college at 50, and went on her first missions trip after graduating in her 50s. She traveled to Israel last year and is just waiting for the go ahead for the next trip. Her response to me, “You’re just a kid!” That’s a title I’ll claim!
Jogger
This one I’ll claim but with less enthusiasm. My mom is a jogger. My mom loves to jog. My mom has asked me to join her at 7am (she is being kind and letting me sleep in). Friday she told me to “embrace the joy of jogging” in a chipper voice as we were nearing home. I know getting in shape and creating this habit now will do all sorts of good next year. “I enjoy jogging. I am a jogger. I enjoy jogging. I am a jogger.” New mantra.
Turning my focus on Jesus and others before myself resulted in a much calmer, more restful week. My prayers were not frantic gimme prayers but praises and petitions for others. When I stopped trying to do things in my own strength everything fell into place. Tomorrow we’ll know how God worked out that other big stresser without my interference. Super excited!
