It’s not just our good works that get us to heaven, but our faith as well. I have a quote hanging up in my room that says, “Working for the Lord may not pay much, but the retirement plan is out of this world."
Life isn't about the money; it’s about having a job you love so much it’s no longer considered work for you. Something that will truly bring you joy when you are there doing your job. When deciding about what I wanted to do this summer, I had many options to look at and pray about. There is getting a job to make some money, summer school, and returning back to Church for the summer. It came to the point where I needed to tell my mind to shut up and listen to my heart. If this is what I truly feel called to do, then I have to trust that He will provide when I graduate next year.
"So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." Genesis 50:21
"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your heart with joy." Acts 14:17
I guess you could say that being happy is the wrong thing to say. Happiness is something on the outside that can come and go, but joy, joy comes from within. It is something that you will never be without, you just have to find and do the things that bring joy to your life. The things that will ignite the joy that you have inside of you. What brings joy to my life also brings joy to Him, because in our acts we should be glorifying Him, using my time & talent.
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see you good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Matthew 5:16
In doing good works, we find fulfillment in life, right? It's filling your life with non-worldly things. Once you've found your 'purpose' or nitch, you have to go with it, it’s not use trying to fill your life with other things.
"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:13
"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
My rewards aren't going to be here on earth. Yes, leading kids closer to Christ is huge, but I want to build a treasure I can take with me...not money, or things. I want to take a happy, fulfilled, and joy-filled heart.
"Rejoice and be glad, because great is you rewards in heaven..." Matthew 5:12
"Do not store up yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
Does any of that make sense? In the end, it’s not my life to live. I am here to follow His plans for me to the best of my ability. So if it means spending my summer with some crazy teens & a just as crazy youth minister, and taking summer school classes in the evening & online, I’m all in!!! :-) This summer needs to be about having faith that I will be provided for in the future. I need to live for the here and now. I need to take a leap of faith...jump off the swing!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14
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