"Ducks In A Row!"

Some people put off committing and surrendering their life to Jesus or getting involved with church activities until, as they say, "When I get my ducks in a row." What do they mean? Though the specifics may vary, the attitude is generally the same. "When I get my life (or act) together, THEN I'll make that commitment." "When I finish my education, THEN ...." "When I'm finally successful in business, THEN ...." "When my children get older, THEN ...." And on the statements may go.

The problem is that time often never arrives or is not realized when it does. In fact, I'm still trying to get my "ducks in a row." However, God is helping me accomplish this task a lot easier than when I was trying to do it on my own.

The focus is too often on the wrong side of things. We have it backwards when we think we have to prosper in a worldly sense before we begin getting things right for our soul.

John, writing to his dear friend Gaius, offered the following prayer:
"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, AS IT GOES WELL WITH YOUR SOUL." ( 3 John 2 ESV)

Note the point of emphasis between the physical and spiritual! The prayer was not that Gaius' soul would prosper to the degree his physical well-being prospered. Instead, he prayed that just as it was going well with his soul, it would also go well with his health and everything else.

If we are striving to get our "ducks in a row", may it be spiritually speaking first! THEN -- with the help of God -- the rest of our being will follow along in like manner.

Have a great day WITH A PROSPERING SOUL LINKED TO ALL ELSE!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 02/07/1999 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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