"Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart."
This is hard for us to understand in this present generation, where everything is fast-paced, stress-filled, and electronically automated. Strife and tension are breaking out all over the world:
- North Korea is ruled by a despot;
- ISIS continues to perpetrate acts of barbarism, in the name of Sharia law.
- Russia is sneakily returning to its old ways of conquering and taking prisoner.
- Stress is the number one killer (or cause) of many of the deaths in the world.
The situation looks bleak: so what are we to do?
We have to have something to do in this world: a purpose and a fulfilling of that desire deep in our heart that the Lord has put there. Many of us have succumbed to the adage that says,
For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:9-11.
We must work, but must we only endure it? I believe that since the Lord gave us the desires of our heart, we must listen to those desires. We all have something in our hearts that we are passionate about: that thing that we truly enjoy doing, that energizes us; gives us great satisfaction, and most of all, is a task that doesn't feel like work. In other words, when we do it, we find great satisfaction and joy.
My passion is writing. I only discovered this 10 years ago, after having spent almost 30 years in the IT industry. I am retired (because of a disability) and write full time -- along with being a "Domestic Engineer." My mother always thought I should follow the old standard of working for a big firm for 40 years, and retire with a gold watch and a pension, which now is typically a 401(k).
That is well and good, but since I started writing, you could say I find it absolutely rewarding. My wife, Catherine, has always wanted to be a teacher, but was discouraged from doing so by her father who said, "You can't make any money doing that." There is more to life than making money. True, we need to be able to pay our bills, and have food and shelter. But sometimes, you have to take that leap of faith, and believe that you should do what God has put on your heart as your first desire, and he will take care of those things we need.
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6: 31-34
In the end, you will certainly be less stressed, and get more fulfillment out of life.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17
Blessings,
Chas
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