Look Back

It's hard to see where life is going when we are stuck staring at the path we are in. Don't you ever wonder where in the world it is leading. Maybe, instead of always looking ahead, we need to look at the progress and see how far we have come. Turn around and take a look back.

Today I found out that I have been staring down at the path right in front of me. Sometimes I pick up my head and look at the potential path that lies ahead, but it looks so huge... it scares me to even think about it.

But, maybe, what I need to do, is look back.

Psalm 143:5-6 say, "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse at the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah."

After reading these verses a few times I started thinking about my life and all that God has done in it. In the very beginning of my life He placed me in a Christian home. He knew that my family and church family would teach me in the Way to go. They did. It wasn't until January of 2010 though that Jesus opened my eyes to my need for a Savior. I accepted, and on that day everything changed. My whole view on life was flipped around. I, all of a sudden, had a purpose for life and a calling... a calling to spread His love to those in my life. God is so good! On the day He saved me, He started laying down His plans for me.

LOOKING BACK now I can see it. He has been using every little detail of my life to bring about the plans He has for me. It's like a puzzle except it will never be complete... that is, until the day He takes me home. He keeps adding pieces to my life even when I don't see how they fit. When I turned around today, I could all of a sudden see it coming together.

So what I want to challenge you to do- not just when the times get tough, but all the time- is to look back on your life. See what God has done. Even if you don't see what He is doing in the now, you will see it... someday. It is hard to wait on the Lord, but His hand is always at work even when it feels like we are at a standstill in life. Keep trusting Him and keep seeking.

Be Obedient

My friend Darlene and I go to the nursing home twice a month to worship and share the love of Christ with the residents there. 

People have come and gone from this ministry. Many of them stopped coming because of discouragement. When there's not many people who show up to listen to your music and message it's easy to feel discouraged. When your focus is on numbers and not solely on sharing the love of Christ it is easy to be misled.

But when you take your eyes off of yourself and keep them fixed on The Lord, you are able to stand firm through the ups and downs of life and ministry. 

On a good day we have two or three of the residents come and join us to worship. Some people would say that it's not worth going if there's only two people showing up...but God says differently. 

In Matthew 18:20 Jesus says, "for where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

Jame 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this; to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Philippians 2:4 "Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interests of others."

In other words...it is COMPLETELY worth taking the time out of my day to go and minister to these wonderful people! If we reach even one person PRAISE THE LORD! If I can ease the burden of a brother or sister in Christ, Praise the Lord!

Darlene is a great mentor to me. She constantly reminds me and those around her that what we are doing is for the Lord. She reminds us that God is in control and that He is faithful.

We got to the cafeteria to set up before we went to visit with people and there was no one there. She asked me if I was discouraged because of that. I said no, because I know that what we are doing is right and good.

God rewarded us today! We had many people come in and listen throughout our time there. Some of them sat for a while. Some of them visited with us. One man grabbed his guitar so we could play together. It was his first time playing since his open heart surgery 6 months ago (pictured below). I sang to Ida in her room and watched her smile as we sang and prayed for her.

When you're obedient to what God has called you to do, He is ALWAYS faithful...and He is able to work in ways you wouldn't have imagined.

God is good!