Reflections, January 18th, 2009

Reflections For,

Sunday January 18^th, 2009

"Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality."

Colossians 3:23-25

 

Why do we do the things we do? Everyone has a reason for doing what they do. Most people work to make a living to provide for their families and own needs. Some work because it gives them a sense of accomplishment. There are those that work because they have to. And those that work because they want to. With today's economy, one might say that everyone is working because they have to. True. However, I'm talking about why we do what we do. The heart motives behind the decisions that we make. When we decide to do something, is our heart really in it? It really does make a difference.

It is my fondest prayer that this week's Reflections will bring to you encouragement. I pray that the Word of God will become illuminated for you, and that you receive the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that you are seeking this week. May it strengthen your heart and soul, and give you cause to pause about what you do and why. And how you do what you do. May you see the hand of God this week.

Some of us have spent so much time doing the same thing that we can do it blindfolded. It has become more than habitual, it's become a ritual. We do it without even thinking about it. Our hearts are no longer involved. And for some, neither are their minds. Many have lost the joy in living, and that is the last thing that our Heavenly Father desires for us.

Have you ever started a job, and in the beginning you were excited, it was a brand new opportunity. New people, new place, new position. You started off gung-ho, and there seemed to be endless possibilities. You went to wok and gave 110%! But lately, your job is the last place you want to be. Perhaps it didn't turn out as you thought. Maybe your life has changed and your priorities are no longer the same. Things on the job could have changed, as well. New management, new co-workers, etcetera. But mostly, you have changed. Your heart is just not into it.

How about relationships? For a lot of people, marriage has become a dirty word. Spouse has become a word that makes a person cringe. Remember when you first met "the love of your life"? Boy, you were on top of the world. You loved and gave with your whole heart. The world was your oyster, and there was nothing that was going to ever come between you two. Nope. Not the two of you. You were not going to be like your parents. You were not going be like friends and other relatives who sit around complaining about their husband or wife. No, you were going to show them that the love you shared could surpass all that nonsense. Divorce? Puh-leeze! Not even in your vocabulary.

You both were loving with all your heart. You gave everything you had, then the honeymoon was over, and real life and responsibilities set in, and life just happened. For the life of you, you don't know when I love you became, I tolerate you. What happened? How can you have so much disdain for this person that you once loved with all of your heart and soul? It just doesn't seem plausible. Did he change that much? Did she change that much? Now you can barely stand to be in the same room. You cannot recall the last time you were intimate and really enjoyed it. The truth is, it has become part of the ritual of so many marriages. Something you schedule in your calendar.

Sad, isn't it? This is not what God intended for us. No. The problem in so many relationships is that we have stopped doing things with all of our hearts. And we did things just to please another person. The truth of the matter is, when you do things just to please other people, when they let you down or do not reciprocate what you have given, or don't recognize it, it wounds you. And little by little you find that you no longer are putting your whole heart into it. Why should you? you think; especially if they don't appreciate it. As with anything, relationships are not exempt from hard work. It takes work to make a relationship last. It takes communication and unconditional love. It takes for both parties to be 100% present, body, mind, and soul. And here's the key: give your all as though you were doing it for God.

All relationships go through transitions. No one ever stays the same. Change is inevitable. We are not going to remain the same people we were when we first got together. But, if we are giving 100% of ourselves, and as children of God, are seeking to please God and not man, you will see a difference in your relationship than many others. Sure, there are going to be some bumps in the road, but if you are both giving, and doing with all your heart, then you will get through those times together, and better for them.

What if only one person is giving 100%? Pray. One, you cannot change anyone. Many have tried and have failed miserably. Two, work on yourself. Be concerned about what you are doing. Three, be prepared for the answer to your prayers. Sometimes the answers we receive are not the answers we want to hear. God knows how to reach us, and meet us at our needs and He knows who has been giving 100% and who has not.

Teenagers!  Now there's a word for you. Your children used to be so sweet and loving, and they listened! Then puberty happened. There are parents who have given up completely, because there heart has been wounded. Children, at any age, can say some hurtful things to their parents. Although their parent has unconditional love for them, the relationship has changed forever. Whereas you may have gone out your way to do anything for your child, now you hold back. Not because you don't love them, but because you don't know if it would make a difference. The joy you once felt as a parent has now eluded you. But God says, no matter what, continue to parent with all your heart and don't give up. Put your child, at any age, in His hands. Some times separation may happen. Estrangement may occur. But the Father says, that there is no sorrow to heavy that heaven cannot bare. He knows your heart. After all, He is a parent, too.

Life is filled with ups and downs. Life is constantly changing. We are changing. But in all that comes with life, God asks of us that whatever we do, to do it with all of our heart, as if we are doing it unto Him. Live our lives to please God and not men, because we know that our reward comes from God. Rest assure that God knows all the wrong doing of those that hurt His children. They shall receive what is coming to them. But for those of us that love the Lord. For those that desire to live a life that is pleasing to God, live your life to please God. Give 100% of yourself in whatever it is you do. Don't do it just because someone is watching you. Or because you looking for a promotion. Or you want your relationships to go smooth. That's all well and good. But give your best all the time, because you know that God is watching. That whatever you do in this life, God is right there with you.

How can we do this? How can our hearts and minds accomplish this without crumbling under the weight and pressure we often feel while living this life and in this world?

"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Peter 1:3-8

 

God has given us all that we need to overcome the pressures of this world that we are living in. We seek to please God first, He opens our hearts and minds to His way of doing things. He increases our knowledge and our faith. I don't know about anyone else, I can only speak for myself and from personal experience. God is like that Lay's potato chip commercial: you just can't stop at one! Once you have tasted of the goodness of the Lord, and you have see what He has brought you through, and how He has stepped into your life and saved you from death and other destruction, He has a proven track record. Once you have trusted God for something, and He has answered your prayer, you can't help but to want more of Him, and want to please Him. Especially when He was the only one who could sooth your soul and heal your heart from so much brokenness.

God has been good to me, and I want to live a life that is pleasing to Him, so that all that I do in this earth is affected by His hand upon my life, and His love in my heart. My marriage is blessed because of God. My writing is blessed because of God. All my relationships are blessed because of God. Even when hard times come, and things seem a bit harried and tumultuous, I know that all is well, because I have a certified anchor in Jesus Christ, who never fails. Disappointments do come, that comes with life. But it is nothing I cannot get through because God has given me what I need to make it through. I pray the same for you.

May your heart be filled with joy and encouragement. I pray that the spirit of prosperity rests at your door this week. Taking up residence in your spiritual, physical, emotionally, mental, social and financial lives. Whatever you do, do it to please God and not man. Allow God to teach you and refresh and to make you strong where you may be weak. Be blessed. You are loved.

©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.