True Joy

Since I came to know Christ, I have been on a journey that very few have understood. In proverbs 3:4-5 God we are told...

"5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."

As someone who likes to have control of my situation, be able to plan and make 'wise' and 'logical' decisions, this has been difficult for me because God does not give us a 10 year action plan, in fact, He very rarely tells us what is going to happen the very next day.

God call's us not to try and look into the future and make our own plans, but to each day trust in Him, to be students of The Word, to be people of prayer.

We often try to make 'back up' plans that will ensure 'financial security', we make plans that we think make sense to us.

In James 4:13-14 God tell's us...

13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

There are two things that stand out to me there, firstly, that it is not our responsibility to worry about the future, because God is in control and has more amazing plans for us than we ourself could orchestrate.

Secondly, that our life is so brief, its not our possessions and how many cars and vacations we've had that matter in this life, its our relationship with our Lord and saviour.

There have been alot of times when God has called Josh and I to make choices that don't make sense to us or anyone else. We have to remember, that God knows what we need and in Matthew 6:25-34 He promise to provide for us...

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

OK so here's where we are so far... Trust in the Lord with all your heart, Do not worry about the future because God has plans for us and He will always supply your needs.

Now this all sounds so easy, but its not. Just because I choose to obey God does not mean I don't shout at Him "What on earth are you thinking????"

One thing I have noticed about myself is how quickly I forget the promises God has made to me and He never fails.

God knows us deeply and intimately, only He knows what is best for me. I may think I know what 'makes sense' but when I do that it always fails, but when I trust in the Lord, I recieve more joy and blessings than I could possibly gained from my own self effort.

When ever things get scary, I want to take the driving wheel and say to God "This time, everyone is REALLY going to think we are crazy" and He reminds me "Rosie, have I ever deserted you? Have I ever not known what is best for you?"

And the answer is simply this 'No' - God has never failed to keep His promise and display that He alone knows what is best for me and my family.

It is our job to be willing servants! Lord - Whatever you ask, I will do it.

I am learning to let go of worldly desires to have a car that never breaks down and a wardrobe of clothes that fit. hehe. God always provides a way to fix the car and as l;ong as its running, so what! He always makes sure I have clothes to wear, no matter what it looks like - Isn't someone with the Joy of the Lord radiating from them more beautiful than anything? Because thats what I want - I want people to see the Joy that God has brought to my life and I want that to radiate from me.

I am coming to accept that we can get everything we want - I need this, I need that, if only I could go away from a week, if only I could get a new sewing machine, if only I could buy this for Esther - When I get it - It never solves the problem.

Here's why - because if we are not satisfied with what God has blessed us with now and we moan and complain - nothing will ever be enough. A new sewing machine is not going to fix anything - its not going to make me any happier. Esther having the latest toy, living in a big house, travelling the world brings no happiness. Only living a completely Christ centered life can bring true joy.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 reminds us...

10 Whoever loves money never has money enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.
This too is meaningless.
11 As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owner
except to feast his eyes on them?

I am coming to understand, that a Godless existance is pointless. We live, we die, we leave everything behind and after 2 or 3 generations, no one really talks about us anymore. What have we accomplished on this earth?

I know that God call's us to live a life that Glorifies Him. Once we become a Christian, why doesn't God just zap us up to heaven? What is the purpose of us staying here?

Its to bring glory to the Lord, tell people of His saving Grace, to tell people of Christ's redeeming love, that He died on the cross for them, to spread the word and fulfil the great commission made in Matthew 28:18-20

18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Truly - if I am not fulfilling the great commission, then I am failing as a Christian.

There is no gain is looking cool, getting everyone approval. In fact, when you are doing God's will, its tough.

When Paul was in jail, he still sang with joy. For he new that God was with Him. There is no greater Joy that living in Christ.