Tuesday, December 02, 2008

It’s Not About Me

A piece from today’s Oswald:

"When you obey the call of Jesus Christ, the first thing that hits you is the pointlessness of the things you have to do. The next thought that strikes you is that other people seem to be living perfectly consistent lives. Such lives may leave you with the idea that God is unnecessary --- that through your own human effort and devotion you can attain God's standard for your life. In a fallen world this can never be done. I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God. God's purpose is not to perfect me to make me a trophy in His showcase; He is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He wants."

This was a topic that came up in one of my meetings today—that God would be so much a part of my (our) life that others see HIM and desire God in their own lives. And most importantly, IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!! It is what GOD is doing in me that has an effect on others. I feel like I have to say that many times over and over again because that is one of the many things I tend to trip over… over and over again ;)

One of the things I forgot to mention in my last entry was God’s financial provision. God has been providing through G and F, but last week I only spent two hours with them on Tuesday, and since my normal day with them is Thursday (and that was Thanksgiving) they didn’t need me. It is so cool how God provided the house-sitting job at just this time to more than make up for the financial provision. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!

Another very cool thing happened tonight. LB, Tom and I were eating dinner and she asked if we had a place to go when their kids got here for the holidays. We said not yet but we knew God had a place already prepared for us (I shared the revelation that God gave Tom at BA’s house), we just didn’t know where yet. I asked her when her kids would be here (because I never really heard a definite date and we were guessing around the 17th) and she said the Sunday before Christmas.

So, tonight I get an email from a friend who lives just down the street and she said that she will be going out of town for two weeks and wanted to know if we needed a place to stay while she was away. Here is a part of her email:

"I'm not sure if I mention to you that I am planning to be away for the majority of a two week stretch the end of December. I was wondering if you and Tom needed a place to stay during that time. It would be Dec. 21–Jan 4th. I'd love to open my home to you during this time. I hope you will consider it and decide you can come."

When I looked at the calendar (and then I asked Mark for confirmation of the date), the 21st is the day their kids will be arriving… OH MY GOSH! Is God not amazing or what! So, we have a place to stay for the rest of the year and through the 4th of next year. I am once again amazed at God and His wonderful faithfulness and perfect timing :) He even gave us a little advanced notice this time! I actually think He did that for M and L, because I think they were concerned about “putting us out” without a place to stay. Now they are seeing how He is working in our lives and they are praising God :)

Just as an interesting side note, when we went to pick up the check from T last night we asked her if she had plans to go out of town for the Christmas holiday. She said she wasn’t sure but thought they might go the week after Christmas… (the same week that M and A needed us). That would be three houses that we will possibly be watching during that week. I pray that we are able to manage it all! Lord, you said you wouldn’t give us more than we could handle… right!? :)