Impatient

I can admit it. I’m over it. I’m ready for this to be over. I don’t want to wear a mask everywhere. I was a germaphobe before and now it's gotten worse. I want my vacation back. I want to travel. I want my life back the way it was before Covid-19. I want my kids to go to school in the fall. I don’t want to be stuck in the house forever. We've all said it. We've all thought it, but this is bigger than us. We don’t see the big picture. We don’t understand what’s happening. The numbers are wrong. The sources are skewed. We are growing impatient and it's showing. Our lack of humanity is on display. Our selfishness is sneaking out. We can’t hide behind the disguise. We want out and unfortunately many of us will suffer because of our lack of patience. Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is nothing new under the sun, and to everything there is a season. This just happens to be an uncomfortable one.

Lamp

In times like these, it’s hard to know the right path. The future seems uncertain. Every news story is doom and gloom. Faith comes hard. Reality hits harder. Fear is everywhere. Doubt is easy. Unbelief seems like the normal. God never said it would be easy. God never said you would always be sure. God never said you wouldn’t have your skepticism. God never said you would always have the answers. He did say that his word would be a lamp. You only need a lamp when it’s dark. So, know that you have light during these dark times. You still can trust the word of God to be a lamp.

Psalm 119:105  (KJV) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Dreamer

Joseph was a dreamer. Daniel was a dreamer. Solomon was a dreamer. Martin was a dreamer. God uses dreams to speak to his people. God still uses dreams to speak to his people. Maybe he uses nocturnal motivation because he wants to avoid our doubts and excuses. Maybe if we were awake, we would question our abilities and resources. Dreams have a way of motivating us and terrifying us as well. What are your dreams telling you? Are your dreams directing you? Are your dreams motivating you? What is God saying to you in your dreams?

Overflow

Every time I hear the the word overflow, I think about the prophet Elisha and the widow’s oil. The story is found in 2 Kings Chapter 4. What I love about this story is that the prophet didn’t ask her to go buy anything to make the miraculous happen. He used what she had in her house….that was empty no less. What do you already have? What are you not using? What are you not maximizing? Your miracle lies in what you already possess. What’s in your hand? What is your talent? What are you good at? That’ s where the overflow lies. Overflow is excess. It’s more than enough. Overflow supplies your needs and puts you in position to be a blessing. This is the year God will use what you have, what you have ignored, what you have dismissed to bless you and others. This is the year of the overflow.

Objective

When we are revamping our resumes or job hunting, we do so on purpose. We have an objective. We have a goal. We have a purpose. We are deliberate. We should always have an objective in every area of our life. We fast with a goal in mind. We pray with a purpose. We should speak and live in the same manner. Be objective and have an objective for this year.

Mindful

Luke 12:7 KJV But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Sometimes, I feel like my mind doesn't rest. Late at night I run through lists in my head. Mostly, its my “to do” list or my grocery list or my “don’t forget" list. There are never ending lists. My mind is full. The day always seems to get away from me. The more I cross things off. The more things I add. Its cyclic. Its unending. However, God's mind is full of his plans and purpose for you. He knows the the plans he has for you; Plans to prosper you and bring you to an expected end. So, remember that when your mind is full….God is mindful!

Commissioned

Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

At some point, we all ask the question, “what am I here for?” There is more to life than working and paying bills. Over two thousand years ago, Christ commissioned his disciples to make disciples of all nations, to baptize and teach what they had learned following him. We are all called to be disciples of Christ. Most of us take heed and go, but who was the last disciple we made? Who was the last person we encouraged? We are not all going to hop a flight to the Middle East and declare God’s word, but what can you do locally? Maybe its sharing a post on social media or praying for a co-worker. Remember, you are not only called but you are commissioned.