Things have gotten a little scary. We hope for this situation to end but the result is in God's hands like always.
Moments like this (if a moment like this ever existed) lead me to 2 Timothy. The letter is Paul's goodbye not only to his close friend but the ministry and really this world. This is his 4th and final missionary journey and his second stint in prison.
Paul is feeling lonely with a long list of people who left him high and dry. He also alludes to the earthly shame and isolation of incarceration. Yet Paul's faith is unwavering. He counts all shame and worldly scrutiny irrelevant because he cared for everything God entrusted him with during his life (v. 12).
So what did God entrust under Paul's care. Is it his life? His faith? Biblical scholars argue that Paul was referencing the many souls his ministry led to Christ over the years. I like this interpretation since I am an outcomes guy. What has our effort yielded?
And God is in the results business. But those outcomes are not always listed on a ledger or list. Paul is an example. God transformed a religious scholar into a humble servant who walked over 10,000 miles in the name of sharing God's message with the least of these.
What has God entrusted in your care?
To do what we usually do and don't make any panic. Keep safe.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)
Mark 6: 48-51 !!! The wind was against them and Jesus saw their pain. Then they cried out. Then Jesus ceased the wind. Sometimes I think people go through hard times thinking Jesus doesn’t hear them or notice their pain. But He does. He will meet our needs even in our fear and not recognizing who He is. He is a loving God who will step into our boats with storms surrounding us and bring glory to his name by providing revelations of who He truly is. So we can recognize our storm is over. He is always in control!
Mark 6: 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about…
Thank you for sharing! I believe God has entrusted me to encourage my family during this time. My dad just recently got remarried and the dynamic of our family has shifted a lot already. I think God is giving me the opportunity to love my family despite the hardships we have gone through and really take time to rest with them and show love to my mom, dad, and brothers, even when we are all spread out and on different walks of life then I would have chosen. That is what life is about.
Alright. Have y’all ever thought there’s no way you can’t do that? Like something that you’d think isn’t really that hard to do. Then you start doing it. And you can’t seem to figure it out. But you’re determined to get this. You keep telling yourself if I just get that one little part figured out. Over and over and over again you try to fix it.
But you can’t.
You couldn’t do it and you are confused that something seemingly simple was impossible for you to do.
I always thought putting a bouquet of flowers would be simple enough to figure out. So as I set out to trim my flowers to put them in a…
Thank you for posting this devotional! I have been studying Paul's letters to the churches these past few weeks! I have been at home with my parents and they are much older, I have been entrusted with caring for and serving my family. I have been the only one out of the house (to go grocery shopping or pickup medicine). I have been able to love and care for my parents by serving them in these simple acts.
Rosie Villatoro