The Important, and the Ordinary

"If we have God’s assurance behind us, the most amazing strength becomes ours, and we learn to sing, glorifying Him even in the ordinary days and ways of life." (June 4 utmost.org)

The assurance O.C. mentions comes from the Lord who says: "I will never leave you nor forsake you," and we respond: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear..." (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Yesterday's My Utmost for His Highest devotion speaks to me because I am one of those who has heard God's assurance and I have believed His Word, but I still am somehow wanting more. Not more wealth or material security, but more "significance," or,perhaps better said, a more consistent and constant feeling that what I am doing with my time (when I spend it well) is good and important. I'm continuing deep study of God's ways and other things but then I find I need to buckle down and take care of the little things, like what I did yesterday, going through things we have stored in the garage.

I confess that I "fear" that I'm not going to be able to show a lot of good through what I do. I believe that the study I'm doing is significant and needed in today's world, but the process of bringing these truths into the light is so time consuming. If there is any fear in me of "what people can do to me," (as the Hebrews passage continues) it's the fear that, in the end, the work that I and others are doing in theology will be set aside and the Christian world will just go on speaking and believing things that just aren't true.

But when I'm reminded, once again, of God's promise to never leave or forsake me, I don't need to be afraid that my work will be lost or unfinished. If the God we know in Jesus will always be with me, there will be reward, and significance, in some way, whether I see it or know it myself right now. And He has me in His care. I will say, in faith, that I will not be afraid, and I will press on with both the important and the ordinary things of life.

Have you heard God's assurance that He will always be with you? And will you respond, with your own heart, and your own words, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear"? Take some time to do that as you reflect on the ways in which you're tempted to be afraid. Do that now.

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