Your Job Description

Once upon a time, a group of animals decided they would do something meaningful to meet the problems of the new world. So they organized a school. They adopted an activity curriculum of running, climbing, swimming, and flying. To make it easier to administer the curriculum, all the animals took all the subjects. The duck was excellent in swimming; in fact, better than his instructor, but he made only passing grades in flying, and was very poor in running. Since he was slow in running, he had to drop swimming and stay after school to practice running. This caused his web feet to be badly worn, so that he was only average in swimming. But average was quite acceptable, so nobody worried about that - except the duck. The rabbit started at the top of his class in running, but developed a nervous twitch in his leg muscles because of so much makeup work in swimming. The squirrel was excellent in climbing, but he encountered constant frustration in flying class because his teacher made him start from the ground up instead of from the treetop down. He developed charley horses from overexertion, and so he only got a C in climbing and a D in running. The eagle was a problem child and was severely disciplined for being a nonconformist. In climbing classes he beat all the others to the top of the tree, but insisted on using his own way to get there... (from Charles R. Swindoll's The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart). We are all created beings, made perfectly the way God intended us to be. He is the Great Creator. The Lord has given each of us unique gifts, talents, and abilities. They, however, are different and unique to each of us just as the animals in this make-believe story. Our Creator made every single person with a spiritual job description that is our reason for being created in the first place. It is our responsibility to discover what that spiritual gift is and use it to serve in His name. There are three major sections of scripture in the Bible that deal with our job descriptions or spiritual gifts. But first I'm going to share the verse that inspired this post. It is our last verse in the Psalms that speaks of thanks. "Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp." (Psalm 147:7) Psalm 147 is a song of praise to God, the Creator and Lord over all. Most likely it was composed for the Levitical choirs to sing praises and thanks to God for the dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. But what drew me in was the part about making music to God on the harp. I just found it curious that the harp was called out specifically. I don't know about the harp during biblical times, but it's definitely not the first instrument that I think of to make music to worship the Lord. We have a full band up front at our church on most Sunday services and we certainly do not have a harpist or even a harp to be played. Maybe it was the guitar of the ancient world?? I'm not a theologian or a historian, just a homemaker that loves the Lord and His Good Book. Nonetheless, it got me to thinking about specific gifts and talents and what my roll is in making this world a better place. What is my God given job description? From Jesus Today by Sarah Young I found this entry quite applicable to my curiosity about my spiritual position - my calling. I call you to lead the life that I have assigned to you, and to be content. Beware of comparing your situation with that of someone else - and feeling dissatisfied because of the comparison. It is also harmful to compare your circumstances with what they used to be or with fantasies that bear little resemblance to reality. Instead, make every effort to accept as your calling the life I have assigned to you. This perspective helps take the sting out of even the harshest circumstances. If I have called you to a situation, I will give you everything you need to endure it - and even to find Joy in the midst of it. Learning to be content is both a discipline and an art: You train your mind to trust My Sovereign ways with you - bowing before My mysterious, infinite intelligence. You search for Me in the details of your day, all the while looking for good to emerge from trouble and confusion. You accept the way things are without losing hope for a better future. And you rejoice in the hope of heaven, knowing that indescribably joyful Life is your ultimate calling! "Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches." (1 Corinthians 7:17 ESV) Back to the Bible's messages on discovering our calling, our reason for being, our spiritual gifts, our own personal job description. In Romans 12:6-8 it starts out, "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us..." Then in 1 Corinthians 12:4-31 we read more; "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men..." Also in Ephesians 4:11-13 it says, "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." If you haven't already done this, I encourage you to read these passages in full. Then take the next step, look deeper and ask God what He has prepared in advance for you to do to further His Kingdom and win souls for heaven. We will all be happier and more fulfilled when we work in the area that fits how God has wired us to function in the body of Christ. Discover your spiritual job description and give thanks to God in your every day by obediently following your calling. "And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

Holy Moments

This is frustrating. I continue to experience extreme limitations in this program. So no "pretty stuff," just words. Maybe God is working on my vanity, perfectionism, and pride. Hmmm... Makes sense. He has plenty of refining to do in this chick. As a former graphic designer, editor, and production manager these limitations simply would NOT do. God has been mellowing me in this last decade. I used to see the word humility as a weakness. But then again, I didn't know the heart of God back then like I do now. ...and still SO MUCH more to learn. His ways are so much higher than my ways... they're higher because they're better. God wants me to work WITH Him, not against Him. To follow His path, not forge ahead and create my own. Someone once gave me a book when I was a new manager called, "Lions Don't Need to Roar." Good advice. "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" James 4:6 Sitting on my back deck this morning, just soaking in the goodness of God (and a nice cup of coffee), I was moved to step aside from my "routine" prayer and just be quiet and listen. Listen for His presence. Then, from somewhere inside, I was stirred to sing old hymns and liturgical verses aloud from times gone by. God wanted my worship. I needed to worship Him. What caught me by surprise was not this diversion from the norm - the flexibility to change my pattern of connecting with Jesus - it was the tears that began to flow. Not that I'm surprised by my own tears. I hail myself as a "wet nurse for those that cannot cry." I have a "wet spirit" so to speak. It was where they came from, what brought them on that surprised me. I was singing old tunes that I don't recall ever moving me before. I was all alone. At peace. I am not sad or depressed or heavy hearted. The tears just seemed to have come out of nowhere. Then it occurred to me that when the Holy Spirit fills me I overflow with "holy tears." A plain, old ordinary moment that went holy on me. Jesus joined me for coffee this morning. No better company than that. It was a holy moment. While listening to the sermon yesterday at my church, I had a similar experience with the overflow of these holy tears. Our former pastor and his family were visiting and he was preaching. His sermon was excellent. He is a gifted speaker and teacher. But it wasn't the message in particular that was filling me and causing this overflow. It was simply his presence. The joy of seeing these good friends after years of their absence. Home - it felt like home. So good. So comforting. Peace. Joy. Tears. A holy moment. Holy moments can come at any time. In any package. In any circumstance. One might think that these times would only occur when we are at peace or in comfort or filled with joy. That is so untrue. Sure I just illustrated a couple of those sweet moments, but some of my most life changing "God so close you can feel his breath" holy moments have been in times of trial, difficulty, pain, fear, loneliness, darkness and despair. While waiting out a power outage so I could fill my car's gas tank, instead of getting all bent out of shape because of the inconvenience of the hour delay at a time-sensitive portion of my day, I thanked God for the irritation. This is a new discipline that I've been working on putting into practice more regularly - God gently reminded me at that moment to praise Him. During my wait I heard sirens and saw a sheriff's truck turn the corner with his lights on. I didn't think much of it at the time because a brief, but strong storm had just passed through town. When the power came back on and I was able to fill my tank, I was on my way to do the "million things" that I had on my to do list. As I approached the curvy stretch to my home, I witnessed the cause for all the sirens in town. There was a roll-over accident in the highway near my house. The first thing that entered my mind as I approached the scene with all the emergency vehicles and workers was "God! Did you spare me from this wreck? Did you delay me in town with that "inconvenience" by Your loving grace?" Not to be a drama queen... but I think He did. Sometimes you just "know." Today I'm not going to share the verse of thanks that I've been pondering for weeks and weeks. It's my last verse of the Psalms and I'm going to savor it for a little bit longer... maybe tomorrow?? For the holy moments that come out of peace and joy... "At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure." Luke 10:21 For those holy encounters that come out of fear, danger, and pain... "But Joseph said to them, 'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:19-20 And "The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:7-8 "And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

Face Time

Some major problems have been happening over the last couple weeks with my computer and this program. Forgive the format of this post and any possible spelling errors as I have next to zero tools available to me now. So sorry. However, I must persevere as I believe this message that the Lord has given me is more important than the look of the post. I think I've mentioned before that I prefer being in the true presence of another, face to face, to communicate. I'd much rather "have coffee" with a friend than chat on the phone or internet. I've never really been much of a phone person. Now, my family and friends may think differently as I do LOVE to talk... so once they get me on the phone let's just say it's usually not brief. My problem is picking it up to initiate the call. Maybe it's because when I was growing up everyone was long distance and cost my folks money. Therefore, phone use needed to be quick, or even better... "wait until you see them." Anyway, I feel the connection to be so much more rich, fulfilling and effective when we get together face to face. Our next verse of thanks brings out this point of being in the presence of God... living before Him. "Surely the righteous will praise your name and the upright will live before you." Psalm 140:13 Psalm 140 is a psalm of David. It is a prayer for deliverance from the plots of immoral, unprincipled enemies. This prayer is very rich in physical lyrics such as: head, tongue, lips and ears. Thus it draws my thoughts to looking at someone's face and speaking with them and hearing them. Though David's verses were not of a friendly sort, but of danger and harm, he concludes with the above verse preceded by "I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy" in verse 12. Revealing David's trust in the sovereignty and power the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. Our worst enemies are sin, death, and the Devil. God has already made the way for our deliverance from these evils. He sent Jesus as our atonement from sin, to conquer death by miraculously rising from the dead and ascending into heaven to reign over heaven and earth at His Father's right hand, and defeating Satan's evil plot to win our souls for his nasty pursuits. It's a win, win when we seek God's face and put our faith and trust in him. As we further our relationship with Jesus by being in His presence through prayer and reading the Bible (God's true Word) we get a clearer picture of His true self. When we are called home to heaven we will see oh so clearly. I think of the Claritin commercial where they have the focus off as though you're looking through a film that blurs your vision. Then when you take their allergy medicine they claim that you'll see "Claritin clear." Similarly, here on earth we see but a poor reflection of ourselves, our God and the meaning of life's intricacies and relationships. When we enter the presence of God in the heavenlies we will see clearly and understand completely. Oh, what a joy that will be!! "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 I found this devotional so meaningful as I prepared this message (In the voice of Jesus from Jesus Calling): Relax in My peaceful presence. Do not bring performance pressures into our sacred space of communion. When you are with someone you trust completely, you feel free to be yourself. This is one of the joys of true friendship. Though I am Lord of lords and King of kings, I also desire to be your intimate Friend. When you are tense or pretentious in our relationship, I feel hurt. I know the worst about you, but I also see the best in you. I long for you to trust Me enough to be fully yourself with Me. When you are real with Me, I am able to bring out the best in you: the very gifts I have planted in your soul. Relax, and enjoy our friendship. "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings - and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." Revelation 17:14 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:13-15 What a friend we have in Jesus. Spend some face time with Him and thank Him for the opportunity. You'll be glad you did. "And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b