“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.” – Matthew 6:33-34
All Jesus asks of us to do is NOT worry! Think
hard about it; is it really necessary to have the next 5 years planned
out? Is it really necessary to have an ideal life map? Do you think you
might be limiting God if life worked out to your plan?
hard about it; is it really necessary to have the next 5 years planned
out? Is it really necessary to have an ideal life map? Do you think you
might be limiting God if life worked out to your plan?
If the Lord
gave you those passions and gifts in your life, can you imagine what
greater things you can do and experience outside of that minute
imagination you have? Even though it’s tough, I’m learning to lean NOT
on my own understanding. To NOT trust my own ways. To NOT let my
limitations of my own strength deter my from the amazing things the
Lord has in store for me!
gave you those passions and gifts in your life, can you imagine what
greater things you can do and experience outside of that minute
imagination you have? Even though it’s tough, I’m learning to lean NOT
on my own understanding. To NOT trust my own ways. To NOT let my
limitations of my own strength deter my from the amazing things the
Lord has in store for me!
We live this life snared and poisoned with Destination Disease! We want to go further and do
greater things all the time. We want our lives to look a certain way and our experiences to be specific things.
More often than not once we get there, it’s unfulfilling. We want more. We want the next step. We aren’t satisfied with the place we’re in!
We look ahead to the next dream or vision of ourselves in a better
place than where we are treading. We forget to see that right in front
of our faces is this thing the Lord gave us; the PRESENT! A true gift
that is just that, a gift!
greater things all the time. We want our lives to look a certain way and our experiences to be specific things.
More often than not once we get there, it’s unfulfilling. We want more. We want the next step. We aren’t satisfied with the place we’re in!
We look ahead to the next dream or vision of ourselves in a better
place than where we are treading. We forget to see that right in front
of our faces is this thing the Lord gave us; the PRESENT! A true gift
that is just that, a gift!
I’ve been at that place where I wasn’t be challenged enough in life. However in humility I will also admit I have been at the place where I didn’t know which direction to turn I was so lost. And this was all in the same large season of my life. I was at that place of no control and no understanding. Out of my own strength spiritually, mentally, as well as physically. I looked forward to the next big thing. I had the choice to give in and ride the season out to engage it and live in the moment. I often chose to ride it out kicking and screaming.
My race in 2008 was that pinnacle point for me in all these areas of too much or too little challenge. I saw the poison of my expectations not being met through all areas my life. From how I viewed teammates right to the defense mechanism of the verge of giving up. I must say I limped through that season of learning what living in the moment was all about. Deep down I was at the breaking point in two very specific occasions. I was so discontent that I chose not to engage in a bungee jumping adventure as well as throwing myself off a cliff tied to a small rope. I was bitter at things I didn’t know what. I wasn’t necessarily mad at God, but so lost I was in dispair. I didn’t enjoy my team, my time in urban Africa, nor the adventures that were right in front of me. I was hardened by my wants, needs, and expectations.
I was clearly NOT seeking his kingdom or his righteousness. I was self-seeking. trying to figure out why things were so astray from why I thought I was on the World Race or why I was in Africa even. In my mind at the time I blamed my teammates, and my naivety in how I didn’t see it coming. And then….JESUS JUST SHOWED UP!!
I have never felt as humbled in my entire life as I did that day in Malawi! I finally understood the season I was entraped in. I saw how my eyes were blind from what Jesus had for me. I was so self-absorbed in my own agenda and plan, I missed the boat. By this time I had missed nearly 2 months of ministry right around me that I had neglected and not bothered to realize. I was guilty of disobedience and selfishness. The scales from my eyes had finally fallen. I FINALLY GOT IT!! My ministry was my TEAMMATES, not this crazy adventure into the African backcountry! I was blaming those I should be serving. My mission was to support those whom I thought were holding us back!
I’m a dreamer and always have “big ideas”. I like to seek out the adventure and feel failure when that doesn’t pan out. I’m constantly needing to guard my heart and mind in my dream and visions. I need to fully embrace the moment and not worry about planning it to a tee. I’m learning to go with the flow. I’m a missionary through and through. Manitoba, Canada to Chaing Mai Thailand; doesn’t matter to me anymore. I trust what I need to and that’s Christ. I believe and I follow. I walk at a new pace, and it’s changed my life. There’s fruit where the old dead tree of self-deception once was.
I am revived.
I am ALIVE.
I AM FREE
And so, the TRUTH is we have absolutely NO control over the days to
come. We worry about the end times, and look for the signs. Frankly
they’re irrelevant to the here and now. the end will come when it
comes. It has absolutely nothing to do with us! Sure it scares us, but
we can’t change it. So let’s learn to live in the here and now. To make
every moment count. To RISE UP and become the generation that we truly
are. Let’s bring KINGDOM to where there is no kingdom. Let’s share with
those who have not heard. Let’s love those who have never felt love.
Let’s not worry about tomorrow; rather let’s worry about what we’re
missing right NOW!
