Friday, December 4, 2020

Before the Parade Passes By

At 2 a.m. I was still awake.  Sitting up in bed I began my nightly conversation with the Lord replaying the day’s activities. 

“What in the world did I do today?  I was busy the entire day, and all I have to show for it is decorating a little in the living room?”
 
Continuing to brow beat myself the Lord had me mentally walk through the day.  Practically falling asleep from exhaustion this took a while.  Seriously, I just finished putting the linens away after the final laundry washing and pretty much couldn’t think past the last hour!

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Already Committed

When I went through the list, there were dozens and dozens of tasks completed that no one would ever notice or realize needed to be done but me.  Most things only took a few minutes, while others (like working with the rescue cats) took hours from start to finish.  In between larger tasks came those small “must do’s” as the day progressed.

Looking back on my day, I recall feeling pretty good and singing carols while hauling stuff from one place to another.  

Even when the washer overflowed, instead of thinking “what a mess” I jokingly said to hubby as he swept the three inches of water out the back door,  “Washed laundry room floor – check!”  (As if it was another thing marked off my to do list!)  

The devil was trying to make me feel bad about taking time to do the things that are temporal and for the most part, don’t really matter eternally.  With office work done, I had to keep in mind that the things I was doing were for the family and community, which in God’s eyes, are important.

Having a guilt trip over the events of the day was purely from the enemy.  My soul was at ease no matter what it looked like to others, knowing I had already committed my works to the Lord at the beginning of the day asking Him for guidance, favor and direction concerning the path I should take in everything I did.

“All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes (and he may see nothing wrong with his actions), but the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents of the heart and knows the truth.

Commit your works to the Lord (submit and trust them to Him),
and your plans will succeed (if you respond to His will and guidance).”
Proverbs 16:3-4 AMP

Neighbor Watch

Reviewing what we accomplished opened my eyes, revealing what appear to be facts isn’t necessarily the entire truth.  So many things take place in our lives that others will never see, yet they are vital for everything coming together in the end.

It’s the same with God working a situation out for our good.  We don’t see all that He is doing to make things “happen”, but sure enough, He’s at work. 

Let me give you an example of God working in our favor if we obey and commit our life to Him even when we don’t realize it.

Several years ago, a local department store was having an after Christmas sale.  Nothing unusual except this time holiday lights were marked down 75% - 90%, which NEVER happens!  We didn’t really need any more lights at that time, but I was thinking “maybe down the road” right?

They were going like hot cakes with one man loading his cart with most of the type lights we use.  Grabbing the remaining boxes, we were happy with our purchase of less than $1.00 a package.

Fast forward to 2020 the week of Thanksgiving.  In early fall we put up Christmas lights in our front yard but don’t turn them on until Thanksgiving night.   Our new eight-year old neighbor watched along with his four-year old sister as we tested them making sure all lights we working correctly.

Adding his insightful opinion on our all white display, he rode his bike up the driveway and stopped halfway.  Looking at our accomplishment he only said four little words, “Needs a little color!”  My husband and I couldn’t help laughing, but you know … he was right and that led me into action.

Before the Parade Passes By

For years I’ve wanted to put lights up in our back yard, but it never happened even with the new lights sitting in a box on the porch.  Time was usually the issue, but not this year because of COVID restraints!

God said that when we commit our plans to Him, He will always work things out for our good and His glory (despite what the devil is trying to stop).  Well, you know that day when I was feeling guilty about not getting anything done for Christ, we were putting up colored lights in the back yard for the community and neighbors to see when they passed by the street.


There’s a good reason behind this other than being festive.  Due to the gathering boundary restrictions, the city Christmas parade route has been changed to spread the crowd out farther passing by the back of where we live!  So, before the parade passes by, the lights have to be in place.

With attention being driven to the colored lights and displays, people will see the Jesus signs and we’ll be able to give out gospel packets practically without leaving our home!  When those lights where on sale we didn’t know how they would be used, but God knew and he gave a little boy the bright idea!

When God Establishes Your Work

There is a passage in Psalms that like Moses, I pray this over our family daily in asking for God’s will and blessings over our activities. 

“Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us.  Yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:16-17 NKJV)

No matter what I do (or want to do) I want it to be God’s will and have His blessing on the project.  If He isn’t a part of what the plan is or have His hand on mine to guide me, I don’t want to do it, because it won’t amount to anything.  Without His blessings there isn’t any favor on my efforts, which means it was all for nothing and a big waste of time.  How uneventful and depressing would that be?

When we bring our ideas to the Lord and He gives us the go ahead, God makes sure that the work is “established”.  He causes it to happen, because it has lasting or “eternal” value to Him, which brings Him glory.

Other translations transcribe the Hebrew word “beauty” as God’s gracious favor, confirming the work and endeavors of our hands to prosper or succeed securely. 

The Bible explains that the work of our hands is important and God will cause our efforts to succeed if they line up with His Word and Will.  They will also fail if all we want to do is selfish and for our own desires.

“The hand of the diligent will rule (lead or become a leader), but the lazy man will be put to forced labor.” (Proverbs 12:24 NKJV)

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  That sale on lights was the “before” part which God prepared for this year!  In putting them up, we were “walking” in His good work …which also happened to be fun!

When you let God into your life and plans, He establishes your work through favor and success.

This Week’s Christmas Challenge:
Consider Your Work 

It’s fun to shop for gifts, decorate, bake and do all the things that go into the making of our version of what Christmas or any holiday should be.  There is no sin in wanting to make events better, but it is sinful when they take away from doing good works that lead people to Jesus.

Doing things that are kind count, but not toward eternity.  They count for here on earth.  Good works that point people to Jesus count here and for eternity, because our focus in on God not ourselves.

Our challenge this week (and always really) is to ask ourselves what do we consider the “work of our hands” to be?  How important is the work to God, others and to ourselves?

It’s not wrong to do things for yourself, because sometimes it’s needed and God delights in giving us the desires of our heart.  I’m not referring to those types of things, but whether or not we are doing something purely for wanting to “leave a legacy” so that others think highly of us.

How are we using our hands to make a positive difference in the life of others?  Are our actions bringing eternal security or merely earthly gain?

Furthermore, don’t let satan take you on a guilt trip in what you are doing for your family and community that demonstrates the love of Christ.  It honors and pleases Him.

When we purchased colored lights several years ago, we didn’t know the plans God had for us or them.  To us, it was a bargain and we couldn’t pass up that great sale!  God knew differently.

What is “different” about your life this year, besides COVID-19?  You see, God already knew about COVID beforehand and has prepared His people for such a time as this! 

Are there good works God can establish through your hands with His favor?  Take a look at what is happening in your community “before the parade passes by” in your life.  Believe in the promises of God.  Commit your works to the Lord and they will be established!

Until next time, may God favor the work of your hands! 

“Commit your work to Me and receive My favor.” Jesus Christ 

Note: The words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because we give him no place in our lives. 

Disclaimer: Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.  

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