Hiding

Dear Friends,

This morning I was reading a true story from the Word of God.  A normal guy named Saul was sent by his father to round up his lost donkeys, but God was actually directing him to meet Samuel, a prophet.  God told Samuel to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king.  So he did.  #immediateobedience

Samuel called all the people of Israel together. #alotofpeople  But guess what Saul did!  “When they looked for him, he had disappeared!  So they asked the Lord, ‘Where is he?’  And the Lord replied, ‘He is hiding among the baggage.’  So they found him and brought him out” (1 Samuel 10:21-23).

I literally laughed out loud when I read this.  Saul and I have the same nature.  Something hard?  Lots of people?  Major responsibility?  Public speech?  Excessive attention?  Run and hide!  Swim away!

But God will make sure we complete the task.  When we think we are just out on a donkey hunt, He will arrange people to reveal His plan.  When we get scared and hide, He will tell people where we are hiding!  #yikes

The morals of this true story:  immediate obedience and God’s sovereignty.  #walkinit

Sincerely,

Katie

Let Us Run

Dear Friends,

Have you ever wondered about God’s will?  Jesus tells us plainly, “Go and make disciples of all nations… baptizing them… and teaching them” (Matt 28:19-20).  Paul explains, “For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Eph 2:10).

Did you catch that?  Why has God given us new life in Jesus?  So we can do the good things he has planned for us.  God does not save people just so they can go to heaven.  Otherwise, why don’t we all disappear into heaven as soon as we decide to believe in Jesus?  God has a plan for us on earth.  And what has he planned?  For us to make disciples.

Of course, we are all concerned about where we will live, who we will marry, and where will we work.  What is God’s will for ME?  This is the wrong question.  It is not about us.  “Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land…  He went without knowing where he was going” (Heb 11:8).

We need to accept that we may not know where we are going.  But we can take comfort that God has already marked out a race for us.  A race lined with potential disciples and good things for us to do.  This race will include suffering.  But we can continue with joy knowing the ultimate relief is ahead:  eternity in heaven with our Savior and Lord.

Let us run with endurance.

Sincerely,

Katie