Changing Our Focus

"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face. My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments that sound reasonable. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your morale and the firmness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:1-7


As I read and re-read (and read again) this passage of scripture, there were several things that really jumped out at me. And, when I say jumped, I really mean they jumped out there. Not necessarily because I hadn’t heard them or considered them before… I just think maybe these are some areas where God is speaking specifically to me right now. It seems these have jumped out at me more than once recently (and, in several cases, more than just a few times). I’m really spending some time listening. Here is what I’m finding as I study these scriptures in Colossians…..


√ In verses 1 and 2 Paul says, “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face. My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God….” My immediate thought here is, “What if I displayed that same love and concern for those that I do not know? What if I was as concerned about those I’ve never met before as I am about those I do know?” I really do believe that God wants us to focus on more than just our immediate community. I think He wants us to remember the world as a whole, too. God wants us to have a heart for the world… he wants us to desire the world have the assurances that come only in knowing Him.

My first thought, though, as I realize this is “What in the world can I do for others in a completely different country or culture?” Keep reading… I think Paul answers that question, too. J


√ “For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit…”
There are so many things that can be done for our world. Some of us are called as missionaries to serve in foreign countries. Some of us are called to participate in short term mission trips to other countries. But, what about those of us that are called to be right where we are right now? What if we don’t feel called to be a missionary or participate in mission trips? What if we don’t have a lot of money or resources to spare? Do we look past the need of others around the world? Do we leave that up to those that have been called as missionaries, etc?

No, I don’t think so. And, I think Paul gives us an answer when he speaks of being absent in body, but present in spirit. Though Paul had never met the Colossians -- did not personally know any of them -- he did feel that through prayer he was with the Colossians in spirit. He prayed for them, for their spiritual well-being, their relationship with God and for their ability to turn away for those things that are not of God.

How about we pray for others? How about we share with God our desires for our world – our desires that they find Him and know Him as we do? It is so easy to lose sight of what we do not see everyday, but at the same time, it is so easy to pray about these same things. Though we do not see the rest of the world hurting around us everyday, that is no excuse to overlook them and not to take them before the Lord in our prayers.


√ “…overflowing with thankfulness.” This is an area God has been working on with me for quite some time now. I tend to become overwhelmed easily with the day to day… the housework, the kid’s activities, responsibility at work, church activities, etc. I become stressed and tired and focus on the negative instead of the positive. God has blessed me and my family so very much and the negatives that I focus on when overwhelmed are not that bad… they are more inconveniences. But, oh, how in my “humanness” I can make them feel like they are about the worst thing that could ever happen to anyone!

This is one reason I participate in the Thankful Thursday meme every week. It forces me to sit down and really focus on all the good there is in my life – on all those wonderful blessings God gives me each and everyday! More than one Wednesday evening when I sat down to type out that post I have been tired, stressed, some I’ve been sick, others just weary in heart and mind. But, I can guarantee you that when I have forced myself to sit down and type out that post, I have felt better every single time once I finish and press the “Publish” button on that post. Where we put our focus truly makes a difference!


What do you suppose would happen if we all shifted our focus to include these things –the many blessings that are in our lives and the ones unknown to us in this world that are suffering and living without a knowledge of God? Maybe a desire to spend more time in prayer with God? More time where we acknowledge all He has done for us, as well as prayer time where we focus on a city, state, country of which we know no one?

What do you think?

Hi, Ya'll!

So… uhmm... Hi! Remember me? I know... I know... it seems I kind of disappeared for awhile there, didn't I? No, no... just taking a much needed break. While I do enjoy this great blogging community we are all a part of, I must say that this was a much needed break. A time to focus on other areas that needed focus, a time to think about what direction I want my blog to take in the future, a time to relax and enjoy some good ‘ole family time, and a time to just be quiet and listen.

As I logged into my reader earlier this week, I realized that I am WAY behind in my reading and have a lot to catch up on. You guys have been busy and been having fun it looks like. I’m hoping over the weekend to get caught up a bit with you all and see what’s been going on while I have been on a break.

In return, I thought I’d give a brief update on what’s been going on around our household as of late. So, here we go… the bullet formatted short edition (or, at least I hope it’s short… I have been known to ramble unnecessarily from time to time…).

√ Family – we’ve just been having a grand ‘ole time as a family since summer officially began for us with the end of the school year. No homework, no need to get up quite so early in the mornings, and lots and lots of play time. The kids have been enjoying the weather (no… they don’t seem phased at all by the heat… unlike their mother!), the water and all things summer.

√ Extended Family Time – a couple of weeks ago we took a long weekend and drove to Kansas City to spend time with my parents, sisters, brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews. This was the last time we will all be together in one place for quite some time as my sister and her family will be leaving for Prague later this summer to serve as missionaries. Please remember them in your prayers as they embark on this journey. They will leave for training with the International Mission Board in Richmond, VA, mid-July. They will spend 6 or 8 weeks there for training and preparation (for some reason, I cannot remember the timeframe… I’ve only asked them about a million times and STILL cannot remember… sigh). Following that time, they will fly directly on to Prague.

√ Work – Oh. My. Goodness. Back in May I was talking here about how wonderful summertime would be with more free time and a let down in the schedule. Oh, it was going to be heavenly (and, really… it still is). However, I do believe that someone forgot to remind the company I work for that summertime is here.  We are swamped and I am going non-stop during work hours!

√ VBS – can I just say here and now that VBS is one of my favorite things that our church does? Yes, we do many great things, have great programs, missions, etc. But, VBS is just one that is close to my heart. Maybe, in part, because I have two children that absolutely LOVE VBS (they start asking about it each year in around Feb/March). However, I think another part is just being involved and seeing so many children being taught about God and seeing their love of learning more and more and being so EXCITED about it all. So, anyway, this week is VBS at our church and it has been great as usual! I am completely exhausted, but it has been nothing but a fun and powerful experience.


I’ll be around more in the weeks to come and plan to pick up next week with posts from my study of Colossians. When I left off I had just finished the first chapter, so I’ll start off next week at the beginning of chapter 2.

I hope to get around and start visiting you all again over the weekend. I look forward to catching up with you and seeing how you’re enjoying your summertime. We’ll “talk” soon and, in the meantime, have fun and stay cool!! :)

Thru the Eyes of our Children

Originally posted December 16, 2008:


The Christmas my son was about 3 years old he helped me put up our family nativity scene. As we unpacked the pieces and put each one in place he began asking me questions about each person in the scene. As I began to answer his questions I found my eyes begin to tear up and my voice begin to quiver.

A year or two after that my sister gave my kids the book “You Are Special” by Max Lucado. This is the story of a village of wooden people and their creator, a woodcarver. It shows us how we are created specially by God and how he loves us unconditionally.

And, you guessed it, this is another story I can barely read to my kids without tearing up. As a matter of fact, the last time I read it to them I choked up so that I almost couldn’t finish reading the book. At the end, my husband had to take over the conversation we always have about God and how very much he loves each one of us and how very special we are. It seems that since my kids were born I have become a bit more emotional about my faith and my relationship with God. Have any of you experienced this, too?

I think, for me, it is probably a combination of several things. The first being that I am just a bit in awe of this responsibility I have to teach my children about God. Each time there is an opportunity to show them or teach them something about God I realize anew that there is no greater responsibility I have than this very one.

The second reason I think is that I am being given a chance to re-experience all the wonder and amazement of learning about God for the first time. I was raised in a Christian home and was taught from the day I was born about God. I have been in church my whole life. And, while that is great, I think that over time I have let go a bit of that “newness” and excitement that I first had as a young child hearing the Bible stories for the first time. The amazement of learning that God loves even me… me with all my flaws and “humanness”… he loves me and I AM SPECIAL.

However, I have found that through my kids I get to experience all of that for a second time. I can’t even begin to put into words how great it is to hear my children tell me a Bible story or to hear them pray. Or, as my daughter has begun to do, walk places exclaiming, “Look, Mom, God made that! Mom, God made EVERYTHING!”

It puts tears in this Mom’s eyes. Tears of joy. Tears of amazement. Tears of thankfulness that He loves me and that I AM SPECIAL. Tears of thankfulness that God has entrusted me with these two sweet precious treasures, my children.

A Perfect Mess

Originally posted November 25, 2008:


"...Together, you and I, we have been working with a purpose in your heart. And it is wild and beautiful and perfectly in process. To you it seems like a mess, but to me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive -- a living fractal."

excerpt from The Shack by Wm. Paul Young


fractal - [frak-tl]: (n) any of various extremely irregular curves or shapes for which any suitably chosen part is similar in shape to a given larger or smaller part when magnified or reduced to the same size.


I have recently completed reading the book The Shack. I cannot even begin to explain how much this book has blessed me. Although a work of fiction, it brings to life so much about the importance of our relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The author has such a beautiful way of describing God's love for us and the way in which He moves and is working in our lives.

The quote above is one of many that really spoke to me. Quite often I do see my life as a mess. I don't feel that I have it together well in my relationship with God, in my relationship with others, I don't feel that I always have my priorities straight or that I show God's love to others. Many days I'm not sure I am a good wife, mother, friend, or employee.

However, regardless of how big of a mess that I feel I am... that is the complete opposite of what God sees. God sees the bigger picture and He knows that while I may not have a strong relationship with someone today, I am learning something from the struggles on-going at the moment. Maybe someday that relationship will be great. Or, maybe someday I will be better prepared for another situation because of what I learned from the current relationship struggle. Because God is looking down on it from above He sees it all and He knows how all the pieces fit together.

As I was recently discussing this quote with several friends of mine, a picture came to mind (partly because of the setting in which this quote takes place in the book). Imagine that you are standing in the midst of a garden that is filled with many different kinds of flowers and grasses and trees. While beautiful, at the same time it is unorganized and there is no apparent rhyme or reason to how it all fits together. However, you then have the opportunity to fly over the garden and see that what appeared to be unorganized when standing IN the garden is now seen as the shape of an animal or a tree or some other object when looking down at the garden from above.

That is what God sees from above... the way the picture of our lives fit together to form the perfect pattern.


Thank you, Lord, for being able to see how my puzzle fits together. Thank you for seeing past the "mess" and being able to see the beauty that is in me. Thank you for standing beside me and never leaving me. Thank you for encouraging me to move forward even when I can't see past the present moment and all the messes that I feel have taken over my life. Thank you, Lord, for taking our messes and fitting them together into the perfect puzzle. Amen.

Sharing God's Love

Originally posted June 23, 2008:


"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We shall know by this that we are of the truth, and shall assure our heart before Him, in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart, and knows all things, Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. And the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us." 1 John 3:16-22


In the Greek language their are four types of love. There is Eros which refers to sexual love. Then, there is Storge which refers to family love; the love between a parent and child. The third kind of love is Philia which speaks of brotherly love and affection. And, the fourth kind of love is Agape love. Agape love is described as a love that loves without changing. In the Enduring Word commentary, we find this description -- "Agape love gives and loves because it wants to; it does not demand or expect repayment from the love given - it gives because it loves, it does not love in order to receive". Wow!

It really sums up all that God has done for us. He loves us unconditionally. He allows us to choose whether or not we will follow Him.... and then continues to love us even if we choose NOT to follow. He sent His only son into this world to save us and to do so by giving up His very own life. The perfect example of a love the gives and does not expect repayment, huh?

"...in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart..." I love this truth written in this passage of scripture. I find it so very comforting. No matter how I feel in my heart -- no matter the untruths I have allowed to creep in and eat away at my self-confidence and affect how I feel about myself and all around me -- God's love is greater than all of that. God still loves me and God is still with me. It does not affect my Christianity. God knows that even as Christians the things around us are going to creep in from time to time and He is there to help us combat all of that. He helps us to put it aside and to listen no more. He provides us the truth and shows us His love throughout it all.

As we look at the way God loves us, we can see how He wants us to love our fellow man. We should be willing to lay aside what we are doing and things that are important to us in order to help others. To be there for them and show them the love of God. Even as we look out for our own interests -- our family, our well-being -- we should be looking out for the interests of others.

It is important that we share His love with others. We must be willing to show them God's love and His mercy. We must be willing to help them and, at times, put their needs before ours. After all, if we cannot love others, how can we ever love God and be committed to Him in all that we do? How can we ever convince the world that we are Christians and that God exists if we are not willing to help someone else in their time of need? It all goes hand in hand.

This morning as we were singing the closing song at the end of our worship service four teeenage girls came forward to visit with our pastor. After they had spoken for a moment, large smiles broke out on the faces of all four girls and they began jumping up and down. As we soon found out, these girls were all close friends that went to school together. Three of them had invited the fourth to church with them several months ago. Since that time, this friend had become active in our youth group and had renewed a commitment to the Lord that had fallen by the wayside since she had first accepted Christ into her life several years ago. Today she was coming forward in church to publicly state her commitment to the Lord and to join our church. As she did this she was supportedly wholeheartedly by her dear friends that loved her.

When someone joins our church we have a short responsive reading that our congregation says together welcoming them and committing to support them in their walk with the Lord. As we completed this, these friends all clapped and smiled and rejoiced together. The joy I saw on these young faces was spectacular! It was truly beautiful and brings tears to my eyes even as I type these words.

To me, this was a beautiful example of showing God's love to others. These girls know what it means to love with God's love. They know how to share God's love with their friends and the people they encounter in their daily life. I know God was smiling as He looked down and watched today.

I pray we all will show this same kind of love each day. I pray we can show daily what it means to know the Lord, what it means to be a true friend, what it means to love unconditionally.

Willing to Be Inconvenienced for God?

Originally posted May 11, 2008:

Last Sunday in church our pastor spoke of being inconvenienced for God. The questions he asked have stayed with me all week long and have caused me to do some careful consideration of what exactly I am willing to do for God. Or... how willing I am for God to move in my life in a great and mighty way.

When he first asked us the question "Are you willing to be inconvenienced for God?" I wasn't exactly sure what he was trying to say. I was puzzled because I had never thought of God as an inconvenience in my life. However, I quickly discovered the angle he was going with this sermon.

Yes, I want God to be with me wherever I go. Yes, I want God to be a part of my life. Yes, I want to have a relationship with God.

But, would I rather have God move in my life in a quiet way so that others may not notice? Or, do I want to be so joyful in the Lord that I openly and publicly praise His name wherever I go? When I do this, am I willing to open myself up to possible criticisms of those around me?

Do I just want God to be in our Sunday worship services and move quietly throughout the congregation? Or, am I willing for Him to move in such a way that the praises and the sharing continue throughout the day and we miss our Sunday lunch plans? Or, miss the Sunday afternoon football game?

Do I want to have God with me, spend time with Him, but continue to live my daily life of family and career according to what I think is right? Or, am I willing to take the risk of moving away from all that I hold dear in order to follow a different path that God has planned for me?

In the time I have spent this week on these questions, I have discovered that I am not as willing to be inconvenienced for God as I would like to be. I struggle with the thought of the unknown places God could take me and my family if we were open to anything He may have in store for us. I worry far too much about what people think of me to proclaim God's praises from the rooftops. I prefer to let people see God in my life in a quiet way. And, while that can be good... there may be people that don't see God in my life because I am TOO quiet in my walk with the Lord

In the weeks to come I will be praying about this very topic in my own life and the life of my family. I desire to have the type of willingness where it doesn't matter what God asks of me. I desire the type of willingness where it doesn't matter how He may move in our lives.

How about you? Are you willing to be inconvenienced for God?

Finding Contentment in the Lord

I'll be taking a break from blogging for the next couple of weeks. I've got a few projects and family fun times planned and I just feel that is where I need to put my focus for now. In the interim, I've selected a few posts from the past and will re-run them during this time. I may stop by and visit here and there, but for the most part will be taking a rest from "blogland". See you again in a couple of weeks!

Originally posted April 7, 2008:


"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Philippians 4:10-23 NIV



I've been thinking and praying about this passage of scripture for about a week now. I keep coming back to the portion of verse 11 that says, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." There are several reasons this has such an impact on me... 1) I desire to be truly content with what God has given me and where He has placed me, and 2) there seems to be such a focus in our society on what it takes to be content or to be happy.

Over the last few years, I have noticed a number of surveys reported to have been done regarding happiness or contentment in America. I "Googled" the words 'contentment' and 'survey' and found an abundance of surveys that have been done on this topic. There are surveys asking about contentment in careers, contentment with quality of life, contentment in marriages, contentment in family life -- the list goes on and on.

From my vantage point, the realization of true contentment seems to be elusive to so many people. Why is that? Could it be that many have not discovered where true contentment comes from? Maybe that they haven't yet learned that this comes from God and not from material possessions? Until we have found contentment and peace in God, all the rest is just fluff.



We may not have the largest TV or the most expensive car on the block, but God will provide us with a roof over our heads, food to eat, clothes to wear, the love and support of family and friends and a peace that passes all understanding -- He will provide our NEEDS. As Paul tells us in verse 19, "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." And we know we have the ability to be content because Paul tells us in verse 13, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." God gives us the strength to be content in a world that is materialistic. He gives us the strength to be content when we are hurting. He gives us the strength to be content when we're not sure what lies ahead. God IS our contentment.... our JOY.

Friday Facts - Quiz Question

I decided to mix things up a bit this week and post a Friday Fact in the form of a quiz. If you know the answer or even if you're not sure and want to take a guess, leave your answer in the comments. Next Friday, stop by and find out the answer. Good luck!


The fruit of the spirit is made up of how many traits?

a. Seven
b. Eight
c. Nine
d. Ten

Thankful Thursday

It seems like the last few weeks when I sit down to write out my Thankful Thursday post, I have been tired, had a bad day, or just not felt good. I'm not sure exactly what is up with that, but how thankful I am that I can sit down each week and type up this post. It forces me to push past whatever is going on and focus on my blessings. I always feel better by the time I finish this post.

This week I am just exhausted! I think it's a combination of being both physically tired and mentally tired. Since Sunday everyone in our house has been sick. Abby started it out on Sunday with a fever. Thankfully it had passed by Monday, but Monday night Josh began running a fever. After two days of that and two nights that did not involve alot of sleep (it's sooo hard to sleep with fevers and he just struggled both nights) he is now on the mend and should be going back to school tomorrow. Then, this afternoon Jeff called and said he thought he was coming down with it and is downstairs in bed now with the same symptoms the kids have had during the week.

On top of that, it has been an unbelievably insane work week (and it's only Wednesday) and I've been very concerned about my uncle as I have posted about a couple of times.

So, following all of that do I still find many blessings? You bet!!

* I am thankful the kids are past whatever virus they have suffered from this week. They have been all smiles and fun this evening! Exactly what this Mom needed after a tough day at the office. Also, with the kids feeling better I ought to be able to get a good night's sleep tonight. :)

* I am thankful my uncle made it thru a potentially dangerous medical procedure and is now resting and recovering. He has a tough road ahead of him as they have diagnosed him with pancreatic cancer, but he has made it thru the last week and for that we are so thankful. He can recover and build up his strength to get thru chemo, etc.

* I am thankful for a little extra strength tonight to be able to take care of things on my own here at home while Jeff takes it easy and tries to get over this virus we seem to be passing around our house tonight.

* I am thankful that once I hit "Publish" on this post that I can go sit quietly, enjoy a little treat for myself (went and picked up a Butterfinger Blast from Sonic earlier and it's waiting for me in the freezer.... yum! yum!), and wind down before going to bed.


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Laurie at "Women Taking a Stand".

Prayer Request Update

UPDATE LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON:
So much to be thankful for this evening as my uncle came thru the procedure and transport just fine this morning. When Mom called me earlier today, he had been awake and talking for a bit of time... even laughing a bit as he was still loopy from the anesthesia. She said the laughter in his room was so nice after the last few days having been so tense... particularly for my aunt.

From here, the doctors are going to let him take a few weeks to recover from all his body has been thru these last couple of weeks and then proceed with treatment for the cancer. And, let me tell you, his body has really been thru alot. The doctor told my aunt that during this time they have given him about 30 units of blood... can you even imagine?!

Thank you all again for your prayers!!

Over the weekend, I asked that you remember my uncle in your prayers. Today I wanted to share with you an update and ask for your continued prayers.

He has been recovering well from his surgery over the weekend. However, today they are performing a procedure that can be very dangerous. They need to go in and seal off the artery that was bleeding so much earlier. In addition to the procedure itself being dangerous, they also must move him to a nearby hospital for this procedure. There is fear that he may begin bleeding again during transport.

Additionally, the biopsy results have come back and he does have pancreatic cancer. He has a long road ahead of him as he will begin treatments for that once he recovers from all his body has been thru over the last couple of weeks.

As I had mentioned earlier, my parents are there with them as well as several other family members and their own friends. I am so thankful they are not alone! And, on top of all of the people that are with them, we know God is with them and for that I couldn't be anymore thankful.


I thank you again for any and all prayers. You are some of the best prayer partners out there!



"For where two or more are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18: 19-20

Stewardship

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my physical body -- for the sake of his body, the church -- what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ. I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God-given to me for you -- in order to complete the word of God, that is, the mystery that has been kept hidden from ages and generations, but has now been revealed to his saints. God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of his mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:24-29


Webster's dictionary defines stewardship as "the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care". To relate more to our day to day lives, we are acting as stewards when we work in our church nursery and briefly care for another's child during services -- we are taking on responsibility for their children for a brief period of time. We are being stewards when we housesit for a friend that is out of town - we are taking on the responsiblity of caring for their home while they are away.

There are many, many ways that we act as stewards in our lives each day. The stewardship Paul addresses in these scriptures is probably the biggest one of them all. Paul is talking about being stewards for God. He writes that he has been given the stewardship from God to "complete the word of God". Is there any greater responsiblity we have than sharing God's Word with others? Making sure that we take part in ensuring that the news of God reaches all?

Paul took this stewardship very seriously. Paul was willing to put aside any comforts for himself in order to share God's Word. He traveled many miles without the convenience of a car or a train or an airplane with which to get him there easier or faster. He wrote out, by hand (not on a computer) letters to cities in which he shared with them about God's love and encouraged them in their Christian walk. Many of these letters he wrote from a prison cell.

I think about this and realize how much easier it is for us today to share God's love with our world, but wonder why so many times we hesitate. Do we fear what others might think? Paul didn't... he went to prison for sharing his beliefs. Do we fear that we will become tired? Paul didn't... he walked many miles to share his beliefs.

This road we journey as Christians is not always easy. Paul's life testifies to that. But, like Paul believes, isn't the end goal well worth any of the suffering, the struggles, the heartaches?