He is a young man in search of God's plan for his life. Presently he is living in Australia involved in a ministry that brings him into contact with a wide variety of people. He touches lives that many of us would ignore or avoid. He genuinely loves people and does his best live like Jesus in their presence. In a recent letter he shared a few stories, described some of the people he has met, shared some of what he is learning about himself and the Lord, and asked for specific prayers.
In one paragraph he talked about the continuing search for his place in the world. He spent a couple of days in meditation and prayer and asked a man of wisdom and experience "...for any advice in terms of spiritual discernment, direction, vocation; he said something really interesting: he said 'First of all, relax. Enjoy your life and try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be, and to trust that.'" He admits he is trying to do that.
I admit that I am trying to do that. "First of all, relax." We get in such a hurry to see God's plan for our life to be revealed. We wonder what is He waiting for? Why doesn't He show us what He wants us to do? Has he forgotten how desperate we are to know what we are supposed to do? What are we supposed to do? "First of all, relax." Just relax. In spiritual terms that means we acknowledge that God is in control, God is aware, God is concerned, and God is working. If you find that you are feeling a bit panicky about where you are headed, or when it seems you are not headed anywhere, "First of all, relax."
"Enjoy your life." It is difficult to enjoy life when we hurry through it at neck-break speed. It is almost impossible to enjoy life when we are constantly reaching for more, living with the regret of what could have been, and seldom allow ourselves to be content. "Enjoy your life."
"Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be." God knows what we need to be doing and where we need to be to accomplish His purposes. He is working His plan for us and through us. He knows us. He understands our gifts and talents. He did create us. So, "Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be."
"Trust that." If the other things were not difficult enough, the wise man concludes his advice with "trust that." Simply "trust" that God knows what He is doing and will do what He needs to do when He is ready to do it. There is no need to rush it, there is no need to panic, and there is no need to spend sleepless nights worrying about whether or not we are doing what God wants us to do. "Just trust that God will place you where you need to be."
I am grateful for the letter I received from this young man of God, and I am grateful for the wisdom he was given and has shared. Like him, I am trying to do that. I am trying to "Relax." I am trying to "Enjoy my life." And I am trying "not to worry, that God will place me where I need to be." I am trying to simply "trust that."
Jesus said something very similar,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."(Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
In one paragraph he talked about the continuing search for his place in the world. He spent a couple of days in meditation and prayer and asked a man of wisdom and experience "...for any advice in terms of spiritual discernment, direction, vocation; he said something really interesting: he said 'First of all, relax. Enjoy your life and try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be, and to trust that.'" He admits he is trying to do that.
I admit that I am trying to do that. "First of all, relax." We get in such a hurry to see God's plan for our life to be revealed. We wonder what is He waiting for? Why doesn't He show us what He wants us to do? Has he forgotten how desperate we are to know what we are supposed to do? What are we supposed to do? "First of all, relax." Just relax. In spiritual terms that means we acknowledge that God is in control, God is aware, God is concerned, and God is working. If you find that you are feeling a bit panicky about where you are headed, or when it seems you are not headed anywhere, "First of all, relax."
"Enjoy your life." It is difficult to enjoy life when we hurry through it at neck-break speed. It is almost impossible to enjoy life when we are constantly reaching for more, living with the regret of what could have been, and seldom allow ourselves to be content. "Enjoy your life."
"Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be." God knows what we need to be doing and where we need to be to accomplish His purposes. He is working His plan for us and through us. He knows us. He understands our gifts and talents. He did create us. So, "Try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be."
"Trust that." If the other things were not difficult enough, the wise man concludes his advice with "trust that." Simply "trust" that God knows what He is doing and will do what He needs to do when He is ready to do it. There is no need to rush it, there is no need to panic, and there is no need to spend sleepless nights worrying about whether or not we are doing what God wants us to do. "Just trust that God will place you where you need to be."
I am grateful for the letter I received from this young man of God, and I am grateful for the wisdom he was given and has shared. Like him, I am trying to do that. I am trying to "Relax." I am trying to "Enjoy my life." And I am trying "not to worry, that God will place me where I need to be." I am trying to simply "trust that."
Jesus said something very similar,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me -- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."(Matthew 11:28-30, The Message)
"Relax. Enjoy your life and try not to worry, that God will place you where you need to be, and to trust that."
