Monday, January 7, 2019

January 7, 2019 - Whatever Season You Are In


Recently Lisa and I had the privilege of visiting an 88-yr-old lady; this sweet dear saint greeted us at her door with the aid of her walker… with hands crippled up from arthritis… and (we later found out) battling the effects of spinal stenosis…



Yet what was so incredible about our time with her, was how joyful she was. She spoke of contentment… how she appreciated in spite of being home-bound, that her son moved her chair where she can see outside better. She reminisced of the days when she was active in her church… of the days even that she was able to get to church… and then acknowledged the “season” of her life she is in.



We were able to remind her how the Lord is still using her through her prayer life, and through the joyful example she gave us. It was a great example of this lady doing what she can for the team…



I was reminded of our visit as I watched the news of Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki’s probable final game in Boston against the Celtics. Dirk has had an incredible career, and even started having a few good games lately, but that night in The Garden, he showed signs of a new “season” in his life… one where he has to realize he can’t do everything he once did for his team, but contributes where he can; this may be at times physically with his play, and other times emotionally/mentally in helping teach the younger players.



The same ideas are true in all of life. Ecclesiastes 3 talks of the ideas that everything has its time and place… in verse 1 (The Message) it states, “There’s an opportune time to do things…”



Right now, right where you are at, what are you doing for the team? How are you helping in executing the “game plan” of the Great Commission? Are you following the Great Commandment to love God and love (serve) others?



Last week I encouraged us to view “greatness” in the way that Jesus defined it… by making resolutions of being a servant to others? (See Matthew 20:26-27) This week I am encouraging us to make sure we are following through with those resolutions and to remind you…



It doesn’t matter what “season” you are in in life… you can choose to allow God to use you! Just like the old lady we visited still praying for others… or my friend Pastor T who is battling cancer but still glorifying God and reaching out to even medical personnel… or (fill in whatever “season” you are going through.)



And when it is time to “retire” may it be said of each of us that we were faithful and “finished the course… fought the good fight!” (See 2 Timothy 4:7)

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