How Is It With Your Soul?

I've been there too. Working hard for the Lord, leading Bible study after Bible study, writing articles about faith & God's Word, getting ready for mission trips and camp and retreats and everything else. And at the end of the day, I was exhausted but not fulfilled. I loved my job and helping others grow in their faith...but my faith...what about my faith?

Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Psalm 51:12

The joy of your salvation. It wasn't until I stepped away from my job, stopped working in the church, did I realize that the joy of salvation was for everyone else...I had neglected myself. My pastor used to always ask me, "how is your quiet time?" And I would always answer, "it's ok." But it wasn't. My faith was on the back burner. I look back on that now and ask myself, "How was I a good spiritual leader with my faith life always being pushed to the side?'

Listen to this: Your faith needs to come first! After I quit working I spent some good time with God and let me tell you, He let me have it! If only I had spent that time back then in the office like I do now. And, though this is quite a different thing to do, I now go to another church every week for Bible study. Yes, I know, crazy! But really? Is it? Hasn't God placed godly leaders all around us? I can have quiet time, but it is also helpful to be fed by another person God has called, by another person who has insight into the Word, who thinks a differently than me. And to be in a place where people don't know what I do...I am not being asked all the questions.

I encourage you, get fed! Don't allow yourself to become the church worker who quietly says (to yourself), "Joy?" Heck yes! Joy of God'salvation! For you! Not just the one's you serve, that you desperatly try to reach.

So, I ask you: How is it with your soul?

Email me. Let me know your questions or Bible study habits. We can all use new ideas to implement in our own lives.

You Came Near

I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: "Do not close your ears to my cry for relief." You came near when I called and you said, "Do not fear." Lamentations 3:55-57

I cannot decide if I am comforted or disappointed in these verses. In the end, I know, I will find great comfort. But just listen to (or read) the moment of dissappointment... 'you came near.'

Jeremiah is crying out to God--from the depths of the pit that he is in. I've been there, in the pit that is. Looking up at the walls that surround me and not being able to see a way out. There is no way to climb out of this pit of mine. Only God can yank me out or drop a ladder to me.

Once, when I was little, living in Fruitland, ID, my brother and cousins trapped me in a deep grain silo. The board that we would climb on to get out, the pulled it up and left me down there. I called for help, but no one came for what seemed like a long time. This is how I picture the pit, the depths of the pit. I just see myself as a helpless child calling out for anyone to take notice.

My brother and cousins stood up at the opening laughing and yelling down at me to "...wait just a little longer..." And I remember wanting my dad or my uncle to hear my calls because surely they would rescue me.

And that is the hope that I had and always do have in God...yet look at what the verse says, "God came near and said, 'do not fear.'"

That isn't what I want to hear!! I want to hear that board being slid down and see that hand reaching down for me to pull me out. I don't want to hear a voice from above telling me to not be scared. I am scared!! I am unsure!! I do want out!!

I am disappointed at that moment because I want out of my unpleasant situation. I want my life to be rosie and good and joyful and peaceful. And because God loves me...He'll get me out, but it is not on my terms or time table...it is on His so I can learn the lesson of not going back down there.

And there is the hope, in the lesson that will be learned and in the knowledge that He is near and He has His eyes continually upon me; that He is staying close to me...and that He will get me out of that pit and will teach me NEVER go back.

So how did I get out when I was little? My uncle came along, heard my cries, looked down and said, "What are doing down there?" I told him what my brother and cousins did, and he eventually got me out with the question, "Are you going to do what they tell you to do again?" That was a lesson learned.

(My brother and cousins tell this story a bit differently...but my version is much better!)

So encourage one another...

Encouragement. We all need it and we shouldn't deny it. My goal and my promise is to be that encouragement, to seek Scripture and build up the body with the Word that God has so graciously given to us. My prayer is that you will be refreshed and share the Living Water. So encourage one another and build each other up...