I am back again for the second time today. I posted a prayer from Ephesians earlier if you got a chance to see it. I felt convicted that I could have done more. It's a weird feeling. That's how amazing God is, I felt like I had done something that would please God but He still wanted me to do a little more. If that isn't God wanting what is best for me and wanting me to be successful, I don't know what is.
I came across this passage in "Living Life on The Ragged Edge," yesterday on our bus ride to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and it was a passage that I knew I wanted to share with you and encourage you with.
Good and Fitting Gifts to Claim
Charles R. Swindoll writes:
All is no darkness and gloom, I'm glad to say. Before he brings his thoughts to a close, the wealthy king smiles as he lists three priceless gifts, which he says are "good and fitting." We need some good news like that! And these gifts are so valuable, money cannot buy them.
Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and enjoy oneself in all one's labor in which he toils under the sun during the fews years of life which God has given him; for this is his reward. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to receive his reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not often consider the years of his life, excuse God keeps him occupied with the gladness of his heart. (vv. 18-20)
1. Claim the fit of enjoyment in your life. Joy is straight from God. Solomon encourages us as we're eating and drinking-that is, living out our lives-to enjoy ourselves. In other words, refuse to allow yourself to get caught in the greed trap. Refuse to attach yourself to the dollar sign. Refuse to place top priority on making more, more , more and just to make more. He says, "This is good and fitting and God has given us this as a reward. Enjoy life! Laugh more. Find pleasure in the simple things. GO back to the things that brought you happiness as a child and capitalize on them once again." How desperately we need such reminders.
2. Claim the gift of fulfillment in your work-another of God's gifts in your life and in your work, find fulfillment. It's not always true that there's a better job around the corner. The greener grass is indeed a myth. So find fulfillment in your work. Invest more in the vertical dimension of life, less in the horizontal. Invest your riches for God's work. Invest your time for His glory. Give generously. That way you'll find rejoicing in your labor that gives a new dimension.
3. Claim the gift of contentment in your heart. Enjoyment in your life, fulfillment in your work, contentment in your heart-what an ideal mix!
When life gets hectic...which is will be...you can always, claim to enjoyment, the gift of fulfillment and the gift of contentment. Claim to those gifts and your outlook and perspective on life will change. You will feel so much better. I promise!
*** The Holy Spirit really reminded me of something while doing this post. After I did the first blog post earlier, I still felt empty. Which is weird, because I always feel fulfilled. I felt like there was more to do. So I decided to act upon that feeling and it changed my entire day. It changed my last couple of days! I was reminded about what I learned back in the summer. One of the very first things I remember learning and applying to my life was when you feel God's presence, take action, and you will not regret it. This afternoon I took action to what I felt and the feeling I have is so rejuvenating and a little tough to put into words. I could go on, but don't want to over complicated thing. Simply, if you feel God's presence in whatever way, act upon it! It could be in so many different ways. It's gonna be a different calling for you than it is for me, that's because we all have different gifts.
I hope and pray that you were just as encouraged by this post as I was.
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