Running the Race is a Little Overwhelming Sometimes

For several years I have written and designed Bible Lessons for children.  I have a drawer full of lessons, and notes for lessons.

I am passionate about it. . .messages I hear, songs I listen to, news stories. . .so many things trigger that automatic thought. . .I gotta write that down. . .that would make a great lesson.

Not only am I passionate about writing the lessons, but my heart also grieves for burned out, overwhelmed, under appreciated Children’s Ministry Workers. . .who are doing the very best they know how. . .and yet are left to feel that their efforts always fall a little short. . .so, when we knew were going to travel full time, my eventual goal was to be able to offer encouragement to Children’s Ministry and Youth Ministry Workers along the way.

That is the goal. . .and the desire. . .and yet, when I would begin to work on the plan (read organizing stacks of lessons and notes into some type of order) I would feel so overwhelmed, I would just close the drawer and move on to an easier project. . .

and then, in my morning Bible Study, I read. . .

Hebrews 12:1 let us run with patience (endurance) the race that is set before us.

PATIENCE? are you kidding me Lord. . .I don’t think you really blessed me with very much of that. . .seriously!  I want it done, and I want it done now. . .Oh, and I’d really like it if it could be done my way please. . .there. . .now, that’s better.

OH, I don’t get to do this my way. . .this is an endurance race. . .really?  Cause when I look at that stack in that drawer, it even looks like more endurance than I got. . .actually, it gives me knots in my stomach.

Oh, I need to start at the VERY beginning. . .organization. . .oh, organization I’m really, really good at. . .I’m pretty sure I can do that one. . .

and so it’s gone. . .my discussion with the Lord about this task. . .starting at the beginning. . .building up the muscles. . .spiritual exercise for a different type of race than the one I’m used to running. . .

I have a feeling lots of liniment (prayer) will be involved in this endeavor. . .but here we go. . .got the three ring binder, and the hole punch out. . .step one – organization!

Examining Your Spiritual Habits

Examining Your Spiritual Habits

My mother in law had a habit of saying, "Oh, Jesus, I love You," at the oddest times, and in the strangest places.  I so clearly remember getting in an elevator at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, on our way up to visit a friend.  As Mom leaned back against the elevator wall, she whispered this phrase I had heard her say so many times before, and you know what?  Now I say it.  What a great habit to have picked up from a great lady.

As I read today's devotion, I realized, what the author was speaking of, is exactly what Mom had done.  Saying, "Jesus, I love You" was so deeply ingrained into her being, that it was no longer a habit, it was now a part of who she was.  Mom was truly, deeply in love with Jesus, and just speaking His Name, brought her into His Presence.

“For if these things (habits) are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful.”
2 Peter 1:8

The things, (habits) that Peter is speaking of in this verse, are all the things listed in the preceding Verse 7.

Diligence, Faith, Virtue, Knowledge, Self Control, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly kindness, and Love. . .

Just clicking on the link above is such a Bible Study that it would take all day just to go into it all, but as the author states, and as I believe, there is a necessary contribution that each of us must make towards our salvation.

My prayer today is that a hunger for the things of God will consume each one reading this, and the habits we develop, from this day forward, will be pleasing in His sight.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you. . .

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