On occasion, I take my wife to a nearby facility where she works out to
stay healthy. I don’t mind waiting in
the car, because it gives me time to put a few thoughts on paper that I can
share with you and others.
It is always exciting to explore my mind to see what God is
saying. I never know what I am going to
write about until the moment I allow my consciousness to discover new,
perspective insight. It is nice to relax
and reflect upon God and His goodness in the quietness of thoughts without the
intrusion of hustle and bustle living.
I parked in front of a tutoring center and spotted a sign in the
window, “Free Diagnostic Assessment.” I
immediately began to assess my relationship with God and concluded that it
could be better, comparing my current level of enthusiasm to when I first became a Christian.
I considered and remembered well the affection I had for God and
hurting people after having a born-again experience. I would often say aloud, “You and Me, right
God,” while looking upward, and in my heart I would sense the words, “That’s
right son, you and Me.”
I love God and have made up my mind to serve Him, but like other
Christians that have been in the way for any length of time, it is easy to get
caught up in hobbies and non-essential activities that waste time. It’s like wasting precious water washing down
a driveway or sidewalk. Once it runs to
the street it’s impossible to regain the loss.
Not using time wisely also reminds me of flushing an outdated, 5 gallon
toilet; wasting water with each flush rather than switching to an improved, low
flow, 1.5 gallon toilet.
Not wasting natural resources, like water, is important to our physical
wellbeing just as spiritual health is derived from godly living and not wasting
time.
Careless use of water is reflected in the bill that a person must pay
each month for unrestrained usage.
Likewise, when we waste time with trivial, unimportant activities rather
than being involved with the things of God, this casual disregard is revealed
in one’s behavior, the manner in which they treat others, and a dilatory
attitude relative to God’s work.
If a person neglects spending time in God’s Word or praying, tiredness
of motivation sets in. It is not long
before a lax, non-involved attitude develops.
The passion they once had when they first met the Lord begins to
wean. But meditating on God’s grace and
mercy, while helping others, keep our spirit fresh and alive.
Wasting time is like a person that drives erratically on the
freeway. “Peddle to the metal” was a term
used by teenagers in my youth. Flooring
the accelerator peddle to get around one more car is silly and childish, not
only for safety reasons, but wasting gas is foolish with the high cost of fuel
these days.
Humanity is given a limited amount of time to develop good habits and
accomplish something for the kingdom
of God
The aging process is somewhat humorous if you think about it. An adolescent can hardly wait until
adulthood, which seems afar off on the horizon to them. I know this, because I thought it would never
arrive when I was a lad. Now that it
has, I cannot believe how quickly my life has zipped by when reflecting on past
experiences.
I can remember my dad saying, “It seems the older I get the faster the
years go.” How true it is. When I assess earlier periods of involvement
in matters relating to Christ, I am reminded of the importance of being
connected with other Christians of like faith, and maintaining a shinning
testimony so that those looking for peace and contentment can see the Lord in
my words and deeds.
Witnessing to those that need the Lord, involvement in church
activities and outreaches, raising children in a godly environment, treating a
spouse with love and respect, doing unto others as we expect to be treated, and
loving God with all our heart are just a few examples that take place through
the born-again experience. I want others
to possess the same joy I have. Jesus
Christ is the answer.
Age is just a number. No matter
how old a person is does not negate the need to assess their relationship with
God the Father. Everything else finds
its rightful place when God is placed before all things. He should be first on the list of desires and
relationships.
(Matthew 6:33), “But seek first
the kingdom of God
The definition of assessment
is: “the evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone
or something”
Looking at my reflection in a mirror and asking, “How do I stack up,”
opens my eyes as to what is needed to draw closer to God. A willingness to change habits and routines
opens a channel, a strait that allows God to help me grow in Him.
When a person truly wants God’s will in their life, things have a way
of working out for them. God opens doors
that no one can shut, and closes doors that cannot be opened. Trusting in the Lord brings calmness and
peace to one’s soul.
My father-in-law believed that we are in God’s will when we accept
Jesus as Lord, and then finding direction comes through prayer. Prayer opens the doors of every kind of
opportunity, which is revealed as we seek God’s will for our life. If a door closes, God opens another one more
suitable to meet the need.
Are you looking for an open door to step through? Seek God’s face with this prayer, “Not my
will Lord, but Your will be done.” You
will be overjoyed at what God does.
If you are unhappy with your present status at work, for example, the
Lord can give you contentment where you are, or He may choose to open doors
that no man or woman can close, if another job is your aspiration. The solution is this; make sure it is God’s will
that you step through the door, because His perfect will is what we should be
asking for, not our own.
God is able to change situations and/or people at your present
employment to bring harmony and contentment in the workplace if that is what’s
needed. Opening our hands and allowing
God the Father to work out the problem, rather than leaning upon our own
understanding of things, brings resolutions.
God desires the very best for His children and will act accordingly if
we don’t get ahead of Him. His timing is
perfect in all things. The sooner a
person realizes this, less stress is manifested. There is rest in the Lord when we learn not
to get ahead of His plan for our life.
Things may not always be as bad as we assess them to be. I am thankful that God is still on the
throne, because I was having problems with a couple of other employees, while
working at this certain firm. They were
unbearable to work with. I remember
complaining to my dad about the situation, and I recall his exact words…
“Perhaps it’s you.”
I didn’t want to hear this, but nevertheless, I did a self-assessment
and found that he was right. My
personality was flawed. I was strong
willed and headstrong—my way or the highway.
Being a new Christian, I still had some rough edges that the Holy
Spirit was helping me overcome. With His
intervention and prayer, I did some soul searching and changed my
attitude. Things leveled out at work and
happiness prevailed. It was a great
learning experience how to trust God.
(Jeremiah 29:11-13), “For I know
the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not
of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
vs.12 “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will
listen to you.” vs.13 “And you will seek
Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Written by,
Papa Boyd
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