SET APART

Many years ago, in another lifetime and season of my life, I worked for an accounts receivables management firm.  I started at the bottom of the totem pole and over a period of over ten years, I worked my way into an upper management position.  The job was a great source of pride in my life.  During that same time, in my personal life, I had recommitted myself to God and the things of God.  

God took me from being the guy in the office who might organize a "guys night out" of bar hopping to being the guy who would pray with you and invite you to a 6 AM Bible Study at Cracker Barrel on Friday mornings.

I began to spend more and more time in prayer.  I prayed many times that I was willing to do whatever God wanted me to do.  I prayed that I was willing to go wherever and whenever God wanted me to go.

The problem was that for a long time, I didn't really mean it and God was, of course, fully aware of that fact.  I was not actually fully available to be used by God.  I was only saying the words that I was available.  I really enjoyed my job title, my company car, my office, my paycheck, etc.  The job was a great source of pride in my life.

It was only after God helped me come to a place in my heart spiritually where I was not only saying the words but also meaning the words.  As I continued to study His Word, God revealed more and more about Himself.  He was also revealing more and more of what I needed to know about myself.  He was moving me, as I prayed.  I was not moving Him.

It was only after I actually - for real - made myself available to be used by God that He was able to begin to use me in ways I had never even imagined possible.  

This happened because God had His hand on my heart with a plan and purpose for me and my life all along.  In my surrender, I was SET APART by God.  It was not my plan.  I had other plans.  I had to be willing to surrender my own plans.  I had to be willing to take risks and to step outside my own personal comfort zone.

I have no regrets about that season of my life nor would I trade it.  The job was a blessing financially to our family.  Those experiences and opportunities for professional and personal growth led me to be who I am today.  However, being in a position of a greater surrender to God and the things of God while serving God in ministry, has absolutely brought a level of satisfaction and reward beyond what I thought possible.

Can I just tell ya something?  I believe God is always calling us to something greater, to take a bigger risk, to stretch our faith, to something bigger than ourselves, to something which will require a deeper faith in Him.  What is God asking you to do which would stretch you beyond your own personal comfort zone?  Are you fulfilling your ministry?

Prayer - 

Father, I am humbled to consider all of the many ways You have worked in and through me as a man, father, husband, etc.  I do not deserve that You would even acknowledge my presence.  Your patience with me is hard to comprehend.  My heart overflows with gratitude.  Amen.

But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. -- 2 Timothy 4:5 (CSB)

#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi

TAKE THE WHEEL

We drove through extreme weather during the drive both to and from Acuña, Mexico for our most recent week of hosting Team Ministry through our mission agency, Evident Ministries.  It was severe a thunderstorm on the way down and ice on the way home.  We travel in two large passenger vans, both full of people and pulling trailers.  The thunderstorm felt like driving through a hurricane and required intense focus but was manageable.  The ice on the way home, however, was terrifying and overwhelming.

We discovered the sleet had turned to ice when our van, trailer in tow, slid sideways across a bridge as we drove through a hilly and curvy area north of Abilene, Texas.  

I frantically tried calling my son-in-law, in the second van, to warn him but we had a weak cell signal.  The only words he made out between several calls was:  SLOW DOWN!  He made it across fine.  

A few miles later, we were on a long downhill slope with a curve at the bottom and the highway was a solid sheet of ice.  I pulled over to the shoulder, but even though we were only driving 15-20 mph it took a half mile or so to get completely stopped as we slid on the ice.  Everyone was praying under their breath as both drivers got out and talked through how to proceed.  If we waited, how long would we be waiting?  We had small children and an infant in the vans.  What is around that curve at the bottom of the hill?  About that time, two vehicles came down the hill from behind us.  Both were sliding sideways on the ice.  We agreed it would be safer to inch forward than to sit still and get slammed into by other drivers.

I can say with certainty that pulling back out onto that ice covered highway, not knowing what lie ahead, required me to summon up a greater amount of courage combined with a deeper draw on my faith and trust in God, than anything I have EVER done in my life.  

It was a leap of faith which required that we literally allow Jesus to "take the wheel."  We made it down that hill and around the curve with no major problems.  Praise the Lord!

Peter had an opportunity to take a leap of faith, but his fear got in the way.  But Peter's faith journey began long before the day he stepped out of the boat.  God had provided Peter with circumstances throughout his life to strengthen his faith and to trust Jesus.  Each situation led up to that one significant moment where he would decide whether or not he was going to fully trust Jesus for protection as he stepped out onto the choppy waters. Can I just tell ya something?  Our focus is on Peter's lack of faith when he took his eyes off Jesus.  But Peter had greater faith than any other disciple on that boat, as he knew in those first steps he could trust Jesus.

Jesus called out to Peter to follow Him and be a fisher of men and He also called out to Peter to step out of the boat. Both times, Peter obeyed and responded.

Each day, we are given opportunities to respond to Jesus. He is always calling us to Him and wants our full surrender, obedience, and trust. You and I can cultivate a heart like Peter’s where we grow in trust and confidence by focusing not on ourselves or our circumstances but on God and the things of God.  Let Jesus take the wheel in your life today. 

Prayer - 
Father, You have promised that because of Jesus and the cross and my surrender to you, I am Your adopted child, co-heir with Jesus.  You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me.  What could I worry about?  Give me the courage today to allow Jesus to take the wheel, not as a co-pilot but as THE pilot.  Amen.

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.”  He said, “Come.”  And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me! ” -- Matthew 14:28-30 (CSB)

#Missions #Evident #MásDeTi