I’m on my way home
from Kentucky, from visiting my very hospitable aunt, uncle, and cousins. It is
a little over a month and a week until I leave for The World Race, staring in
the Dominican Republic. Our launch is at 5:30am in Miami Airport in Florida!
Looking at my life I have everything. I have a family that
loves me, an amazing roof with sturdy walls holding it up, as much food as I
want, a well paying job, friends that love me and care for me, opportunities to
share Jesus love to others, and the list goes on.
Now, if I wanted to, I would say that I want a nicer car, a
united family, a bigger, more comfortable house, video game systems, relationships,
higher paying job, and the list goes on. I have unanswered prayers,
frustrations, difficulties, confusion, stress, jealousy, pride, and this list
could go on too.
I need to look at what Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13, “for I have learned to be
content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living
in plenty or in want.” So when I was at in Kentucky this
past week, I was never hungry and I was content. There were times when I was at
college and didn’t eat anything all day, until 8pm [and I wasn’t fasting], yet
I was still content.
The more I think about it, the more I think that life is all
about perspective; what are you focusing on? I could be
negative and focus on what I want and think I should have. Or I can focus on
what I do have. Just by me writing this blog, shows I have computer and
internet access, which probably puts me at the top 1% of the world. THE WORLD. But that topic is for
another blog at another time.
for myself. I do want a perfect huge house, a sporty car, a perfect-looking
wife, every game system, a huge yearly salary from teaching after awhile,
always eating out, watching every movie, and sitting on the most comfortable couch.
I want that. I do. But that is not what my focus is set on. Trust me, I want to do what feels good, but I
can’t. I am [we are] all called to live
for more than ourselves. When we live for more than ourselves, we must put off
our own wants and desires and live for the Lord. What will the Lord have us do today?
What does He want me to do today? Is it His desire for us to live a comfortable
life? Is it His desire that we suffer for His Name’s sake? Ask Him. That’s what prayer is, isn’t it? It’s
a conversation with God. So ask Him, then listen. Listen… until you get an
answer.
