| Life Support USA |
S T A R T O V E R When you've trusted Jesus and walked his way When you've felt his hand lead you day by day But your steps now take you another way, start over. When you've made your plans and they've gone awry When you've tried your best and there's no more try When you've failed yourself and you don't know why, start over. When you've told your friends what you plan to do When you've trusted them and they didn't come through And now you're all alone and it's up to you, start over. When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong And now your grandchildren have come along, start over. When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still When you want to stop cause you've had your fill, start over. When you think you're finished and want to quit When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit When you've tried and tried to get out of it, start over. When the year has been long and successes few When December comes and you're feeling blue God gives a January just for you, start over. Starting over means "Victories Won" Starting over means "A Race Well Run" Starting over means "The Lords' Will Done" We need not just sit there ... START OVER. SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, "Friend, go up higher." Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you" Luke 14:10-11 Some have to learn this lesson the hard way- my Step Dad used to call it the "school of hard knocks." He was a proud, arrogant man, thinking himself much more important than he really was. Sure some thought he had wisdom beyond his years, but he was filled with immaturity and foolishness. He paid entirely too much attention to the words of those who praised him and not enough to those who criticized him. A fool does that sort of thing- and he was at least foolish. Sound familiar? This is what costs us many blessings of the Lord and brings upon us many curses from those we should have been serving. It may cost you a business and probably more as well as years in the spiritual desert. We need to become a more humble people. Jesus said it another way than today's verse. "The first shall be last, and the last shall be first." I used to love being "first." I often wanted to be first in line- especially the food line. I eventually learned that a servant is the last to be fed. He is seated at the lowest place at the table. Since I seek to be a servant, I just try to do my job as prescribed by the Father, doing it to the best of my ability. But something happens to those who seek to be unseen servants, they become leaders. I am humbled by those who call me "pastor." I am undeserving of the title. Seek to be a servant, not a high profile servant, but a lowly, head bowed, humble servant. Do your calling without boasting or haughtiness. Instead, take the lowest place in the kingdom. I assure you that the Father will not fail to take note of your humility! Amen.
|
|