The steps of a good man
are ordered by the Lord...
Psalm 37:23a
To start a work for the Lord or to bring it to an end?
are ordered by the Lord...
Psalm 37:23a
To start a work for the Lord or to bring it to an end?
This thought came upon me today, although I am certain I have written about the subject before in a previous journal entry, but as it says in Ecclesiastes chapter three, there are times and seasons for everything. And it is just as important, I think, to know when it is time to stop a certain work for the Lord as it is to start it...
The Scripture states that a Christian's steps are ordered by the Lord. In other words, He directs our paths. Our lives are in His hands. Yet if this is true, and I believe it is, then most assuredly our stops are ordered by Him, as well. Obviously, too, God has reasons for both, while my responsibility is to know His will and to act in accordance with it.
Clearly, therefore, our stops are just as important as our starts. In fact, it may even require a more mature level of faith to bring a certain work for the Lord to an end, as opposed to beginning a work or ministry. And I think this is because we all too often think of ourselves as somehow being indispensable to the body of Christ, which we're not. Take my word for it, the God of the universe who rules over all flesh can get along without me just fine, although it has taken me awhile to realize this.
Yes, it is true. The Lord has never found it necessary to ask for my advice about anything, or to ask for my help. Never once has He asked me to sit on His throne and watch over the universe while He takes a snack break or a short nap. So, realizing that, while the Lord desires to use my life for His good pleasure, He could just as well use someone else, too.
These days, I am hoping to better discern God's will for my life when it comes to starting or stopping a particular church activity or ministry of some kind. And I still don't have it right one hundred percent of the time. I often make mistakes and I take some wrong turns. But the Lord is a patient teacher.
D.B.
The Scripture states that a Christian's steps are ordered by the Lord. In other words, He directs our paths. Our lives are in His hands. Yet if this is true, and I believe it is, then most assuredly our stops are ordered by Him, as well. Obviously, too, God has reasons for both, while my responsibility is to know His will and to act in accordance with it.
Clearly, therefore, our stops are just as important as our starts. In fact, it may even require a more mature level of faith to bring a certain work for the Lord to an end, as opposed to beginning a work or ministry. And I think this is because we all too often think of ourselves as somehow being indispensable to the body of Christ, which we're not. Take my word for it, the God of the universe who rules over all flesh can get along without me just fine, although it has taken me awhile to realize this.
Yes, it is true. The Lord has never found it necessary to ask for my advice about anything, or to ask for my help. Never once has He asked me to sit on His throne and watch over the universe while He takes a snack break or a short nap. So, realizing that, while the Lord desires to use my life for His good pleasure, He could just as well use someone else, too.
These days, I am hoping to better discern God's will for my life when it comes to starting or stopping a particular church activity or ministry of some kind. And I still don't have it right one hundred percent of the time. I often make mistakes and I take some wrong turns. But the Lord is a patient teacher.
D.B.
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