God Provides!

Sometimes my wife tells me I put too much pressure on myself. With all the lesson preparations and other tasks that fill my "to do" list, I set daily and weekly deadlines in order to know whether or not I am on target. I do like to begin my day early because that is time that is not often interrupted. However, though I sometimes feel under pressure, the reality is God always seems to help me get it done. Therefore I do need to remind myself to relax and just take it all a task at a time. Even when unexpected things arise, God always seems to bring the lesson focuses together, even when all scheduled study time does not work out as planned.

Yesterday a statement on my calendar read: "Lord, teach me to be content with the work I accomplish today. Let me not begrudge interruptions, but rather welcome them as a time of communion with those around me. Amen."

As I meditated on that thought and recognized my own need for such a prayer, I thought of Jesus and what He came to accomplish in three short years of ministry. How often was His travel, teaching, or need for rest interrupted by others and the circumstances of their lives? How did He respond?

On an occasion when the disciples had returned after having been sent out to teach ( Mark 6:7-12; 30), there was the need for some rest. We read. . .

"(31) And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going and THEY HAD NO LEISURE EVEN TO EAT. (32) And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. (33) Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. (34) When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and HE HAD COMPASSION ON THEM, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things." ( Mark 6:31-34 ESV)

Earlier Mark recorded a similar situation in which a crowd gathered so that they could not even eat. ( Mark 3:20) Jesus was moved by the coming. He HAD COMPASSION for people who were so much in need of the truth and some human kindness. Does that still not mark many in this world today? These interruptions were opportunities to touch others in God glorifying ways.

On days when my schedule is the most full, spending some earnest time in prayer as I begin my day does make a big difference. Though maybe it shouldn't, it does still amaze me how often God provides and brings it all together. I need those reminders that it is not all about me. So often I just need to remember to let go and let God do His Work in and through me.

I know we all have busy lives and it is important for us to properly prioritize what needs to be accomplished. Also though we may struggle with being frustrated by interruptions we must guard against allowing procrastination or laziness to add to the stress. Still, unplanned opportunities may be no coincidence at all, but rather God's timing for impacting the lives of others in ways greater than we might imagine. May our daily prayer be to MAINTAIN THE HEART OF JESUS as we go about accomplishing the tasks of the day.

Have a great day OPEN TO OCCASIONS TO MINISTER TO GOD'S GLORY!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Opportunity