Chances are the economy has effected you as it has effected me. A few weeks ago at the local church I have been going to here in Kansas City the pastor was preaching on how what we all need is Christ.
Putting that in words is just not the same nor does it communicate what it did when it was preached. The pastor who I am guessing is in his thirties is by far one of the most passionate and sound young men of God I know of here in the metro. It is rare to find a pastor who will get passionate and really preach in a way that will make anyone not living for Christ uncomfortable. Yet, it spoke to me as well as a strong reminder this world is not home.
His message was that we all here have a false view that we need just a little something more and we will be alright. We need a new job, more money, a spouse, health, a new home, a new car, etc. and we think we will then be alright and life will be good. I must admit that these past few months with my business hurting and money tight I have been thinking quite a bit if my business just picked up life would work out.
I often wonder how do I shift my focus from a big God to a small problem of money. There were even some days when I was really worrying and I got upset at God that I was having these challenges. Perhaps you have gone through those times when you do not understand why God of whom you have tried so earnestly to serve and obey is letting you face such great trials and challenges. Of course nothing makes those times harder than when those around us are experiencing great blessings or when their choices are not in line with God's word and yet they are experiencing blessings. That is the thing with grace that perhaps we do not like. We like grace when we get it, but when we feel we are not getting what we should having done what we felt we were to do and others experience God's grace to get what they we feel should not get our flesh and the enemy wage quite the war against us.
One thing is for certain in the past four years in ministry and the past five years in my business I do not know what I would have done if it was not for the peace and assurance God has given me in the path I am on in life. Walking with God on the path in which I have outlined in my Life Map Model to where God has revealed vision in my life and given me the heart restored and the mind renewed to stay in this is the only way I could have done so. Even then there have been many times when I have had to just give it all to God and tell Him I can't do this and you are going to have to carry me.
It reminds me of the poem foot prints. My favorite poem:
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
What ever you think you are looking for, when you get it, if you get it. You will want something else when and if you get it. The only thing that will satisfy is Jesus.
