The last few months have been extremely difficult for Heath and I financially. Business has almost come to a complete halt and when you are self-employed that can be scary. We have been amazed though at the way God has provided for us. And more importantly how God has provided for us a peace in knowing that He knows the situation we are in and will not give us more than we can handle. The financial situation has been an unexpected blessing in that God has been showing us those things in our life that we can cut out and that aren't important. Trimming the fat as I have been saying lately.
Yesterday my bible study was about serving two masters and how you can't serve both God and money. This month God has been speaking loudly to us about where our treasure lies and are we building up our treasure in heaven. Earlier in our study we looked at 1 Corintians 3: 12-15 about the judgment day when what we have built our foundation on whether using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, will be tested. "...It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it burns up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." (13-15) On that day our selfish attitudes and desires will burn up but the things we have done and said for Jesus will be rewarded. That has resonated with me everyday. What am I doing here on this earth for the kingdom? Willl I be left with a pile of ashes in front of me or will Jesus look at me and say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." Don't get me wrong. I don't think I am a bad person that does nothing for Jesus, but I've got a long way to go. I can't take anything with me that is here on this earth. So why do I want for it so much? God has been radically changing my heart and when I started this study I was discontent in a lot of ways. But now what I find myself wanting is how I can please the Lord more and in what ways can I serve Him. That is becoming my treasure.
So yesterday there were a few ways that the Lord spoke to me about our situation. I was reading Matthew 6: 25- 34 where Jesus addresses worrying. I have always loved these verses because I have always been a big worrier. When I was younger I had a lot of stomach issues because I worried all the time. I still do worry at times but I have put a lot of that on the Lord and it has been a huge burden lifted. I love how you can read something in the bible many times but on a certain day and a certain time He can give you exactly what you need. Matthew 6:31-32 says, "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat? or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." He knows exactly what I need right now! And He has proven faithful in our time of need in the past and expecially right now. A few minutes later I read Proverbs 30:7-8 and God gave me even more of what I needed to hear. It says: "Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread." He has been giving us just what we need and not only that, He has been giving us an inner peace that He is in control, and He has taken away that desire we have for anything more. He is so good to us and I am so thankful for this time of financial strain for Him to teach us what it is to fully rely on Him. So often we ask God what His purpose is and why we go through hardships. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt why we are going through this. He wants my eyes on Him only and He wants me to give Him the glory for all that He has done.
I hope in some way this speaks to you. Find some time to be still and listen to what God is telling you about something going on in your life. It is amazing what you will hear when you really listen.
1 comment:
Hi Sarah,
I rarely get a chance to sit at the computer but I came in to talk to Lindsey for minute and took a second to read your most recent post. I did not know business had slowed so for you guys. We will be praying for you in this area. We too have had little work since November and I was thankful that you took the time to share the Lord's working in your lives. It is encouraging to see your faith and trust in our Lord. It always amazes me how He works good in all things and provides all our needs. We have been able to focus on our family especially and mostly on the spiritual end in a way we are not able to when Jeff is busy. It has been a great blessing to have him around and so involved in family life. I know we will miss that when the time comes for him to be working again. We are able to really be a team in analyzing ourselves and the children and make adjustments to our lives according to how the Lord leads. May the Lord work mightily in ways you would not even expect. May He be exceedingly real to you all in His working out all the details of your lives. I know your walk will be strengthened as you go through this challenging time. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. May you cling to His promises as He is being faithful to complete the good work He has started in you all. Be encouraged knowing you are not alone and we are praying for you all. Trust Him in this for He is working things out for your good. He knows just what we need and when we need it and sometimes that is less of the world and more of Him and each other. Trust that a season of slowing work is just what we both needed in the Lord's eyes at this time. My love in Christ~Joan
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