too many things

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 (7:11 a.m.)

Awesome God,

I’m asking for help this morning. Too many things remain unfinished around here. I start too many things and finish few.

And that’s what I thought we’d be talking about this morning!

Oh, but God. You are SO good! Thank You for not allowing me to go off in my own direction. Thank You for leading me to a brand new area. The Apochrypha. Specifically Sirach 11. Which led me right back to Luke 12:13-21 and A Story about a Rich Fool.

Oh my Lord! You DO have Your way about You! I’ve been asking everyone that will listen to please pray for me to become a better steward. Lord God, I absolutely believe that this is imperative.

Beloved Father God. I confess to You. I have too many things! Here Lord is a truth I have know for far too long. Along with this reality is another underlying piece. Fear, Lord. I fear making a mistake. I confess to being frozen in the fear of hurting someone. Getting rid of things that somebody might want. Things continue piling up because of the fear I have of letting them go.

Lord, I confess this to You. I know You are a good God. You have provided us so many blessings throughout the years. I feel embarrassed here Lord. Ashamed. I’m holding back the tears that want desperately to fall all over the keyboard. I stifle the sobs that could represent freedom from the too many things that I fear.

I read of ‘true freedom and contentment’ being found in depending exclusively on You. Luke 12: 30-31, “All mankind scratches for its daily bread, but your heavenly Father knows your needs. He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Too many times I think that I do exactly that Lord only to find that I really don’t.

“So don’t be afraid little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Your treasures there will never disappear; no thief can steal them; no moth can destroy them. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be” (vs. 32-34).

A section of Theology in Brief in the Illustrated Bible Handbook helps hammer this truth home. Under Money and the Christian we’re told “Jesus’ followers are freed, by relationship with God, to concentrate on that of which life does consist” (see Luke 12:15). “Freedom comes when we grasp how greatly God loves and values us. Thus He will meet our needs (12:30,31). Freedom is expressed by use of our possessions to meet the needs of others (12:32; 2 Corinthians 8:13-15)… Those who are ‘generous and willing to share’ (1Timothy 6:18) have a valid ministry to others. What is really important then? To not let money distract from what Scripture shows us is the true center of life for Jesus’ followers. We are called to love and trust God – and to value persons above possessions.”

Lord God, hear my prayer! Please Lord, make me “generous and willing to share”. This HAS to be the antidote for ‘too many things’! Yes Lord. And just as I am finishing up this prayer today, I turn over to 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 “A Call to Generous Giving” and 9 “God Prizes Cheerful Givers”. Oh yes Lord. Make me so!

I love You. Work in and through me this day I pray. Thank You Lord. Amen.

(621 words ~ 8:44 a.m.)