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| Travel Plans: My Life Gift Card |
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| Weekly Devotional |
| Written by Joan Tyvoll |
| Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:26 |
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“The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man…” Genesis 39:2 One of the gifts I received this past Christmas was a Caribou Coffee gift card. I was thrilled. As soon as all my holiday guests had gone, as soon as I had the tree and ornaments packed away and the house cleaned up and put back together, I found my way to the coffee shop. The card didn’t stipulate how much money was on it, but I figured it would be good for at least one or two good splurges. So I boldly ordered one of those lovely complicated cappuccinos, and yes, a scone to go with it. This is living, I thought. What a delightful surprise when the woman at the till told me the amount remaining on my card, even after my splurge. WOW! Riches! What a generous gift my friend had given me, and I didn’t even realize it! That valuable coffee gift card is going to change the decisions I make when I go to Caribou after this. Knowing what is behind that shiny little piece of plastic, I will always go boldly for the best on the menu board. I am in coffee heaven.
It is so fun how scripture comes alive every day of our lives if we have our eyes open, friends. That is what happened for me when I listened to the podcast by Andy Stanley called “The Legend of Joe Jacobson, Part One” last week. Throughout Stanley’s 3 part series, this is the main question that he poses for us: “If you were absolutely confident that God was with you, what would you do?” What decisions would you make? How would you act? What would your attitude towards others and life in general be? If you were absolutely confident that God was with you, how would you react to trials? What a powerful challenge this question is in this New Year of 2010, friends. Challenging because it gets at the heart of my on-going, long time struggle: can I believe that God is really for me? It is so strange, but I have no trouble believing that for others. But when it comes to my own life, I falter. Why would God trouble himself over me? It is pathetic, I feel, that after all these years of being his child, after all the things he has done for me, that I would still struggle in this foundational, fundamental place. But there it is. Do I really, truly believe that God is with me? It is interesting to be presented with this challenge right now too because it fits so perfectly with what Paul is teaching the Colossians. In the first section of his letter to this church, Paul presents the amazing and powerful truth of who this Jesus is. “He is perfectly trustworthy!” he tells them. “You can rely on him without reservation!” he assures them. Then in the second part of the letter, he gets down to the nitty gritty of life. In light of the truth of who Jesus is, this then, is how you should live… It is Andy Stanley’s question all over again. If you were absolutely convinced that God was with you (and by the way that he is also exactly who he claims to be), what would you do? It ought to change our lives. It ought to shape our character, our conduct, how we spend our time, what we give our lives to. And as it did for Joseph, it will indeed bring God glory. You will help God work out his purpose and plan for the world. This is my desired destination as I take a journey of faith in 2010, friends. To the place of victory where God makes himself famous because of what he has done through me and for me. It will be a much more obscure place than what Joseph occupied. Not everyone gets to save a race. But if it is where God wants me to be, it will be the right place. I want to live like I have a fortune left on my Life Gift card… Dear Friends, So here is another plan I have for travel in 2010 – Andy Stanley’s question goes with me, and my Life Gift card is zipped into the side pocket of my suitcase where I can get at it easily! Meditate on the Fresh Bread scriptures this week, and put into place realistic plans to live out the practical life habits Paul talks about in them. They are things that set us apart as authentic Christ followers. They will help to build his Kingdom. They will bring God glory. Living for Him, P.S. I encourage you to make it a goal this year to take advantage of the wonderful technology that allows us access to the best teachers in the country. If you haven’t figured out podcasts or how to go online and listen to messages or watch videos posted by churches, ministries and individuals, find someone (like a kid!) who can give you some help. It will be a blessing to you! |
