PROVERBS 14:35

A king delights in a wise servant, but a shameful servant arouses his fury.

TO PONDER

Now retired, I do sometimes reflect on my working life, on the highs and lows; on my successes and failures. Often these reflected my relationship with those I reported to.  But I also had a few situations where the relationship I had with someone who reported to me just wasn’t working.  Often the source of conflict was that the goals of the more junior person did not align with the goals of the more senior person.

Our relationship with God can be seen in the same light.  God has a plan and purpose for every single person on this earth.  Through Jesus and his disciples, God has revealed his plan to us and he is inviting us to surrender OUR goals and purpose into HIS goals and purpose for us. But we tend to see this as negative and restrictive.  We have things we want to do and a whole world of wonders to experience. We have responsibilities to our families and to those who provide the funds (e.g. wages) we need to live on. We also have responsibilities to our governments.

I, and I guess you too, often find it difficult to trust God’s love and promises when we are faced with the practical realities of life. Jesus did promise that if we surrendered our lives to his goals and purposes, all the other things that he sees we need for a fulfilling life would be given to us (Matthew 6:33).

And just an afterthought, the most awesome experience we ever have in this life will pale into insignificance when we experience the glories of heaven.

PRAYER: Father, thank for your amazing love and commitment to us.  Help us to grow in trusting your love for us and letting you lead us on your planned adventure for us. Amen.

Today's devotion written by Charles Bertelsmeier, LifeWay Epping