Esteemed Value

Acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. I Thessalonians. 4:13

Today’s passage continues by saying, “Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.”

Something happens to us when we choose to take the high road of respect and esteem for others in our lives, especially the ones who hold positions of leadership over us.

Though it may be in a whole new category, I would even include bosses at work or anyone who prays for us and cares for our well-being. I would include anyone given the responsibility and authority to make hard decisions and plans for our group or congregation.

Many times, all we see may be at the surface, like the frustrations, irritability or seeming neglect of our leaders. Yet, if we take a deeper look, these people carry such heavy burdens. We have no idea how much they do, how sleepless their nights and how intentional their work.

Not all managers are good leaders, but the ones that are solid stand out in our lives. They direct us in ways that benefit not only ourselves but the success of the whole group, if only we would humble ourselves to follow them. It is within our power to bless to these people and to encourage their efforts.

Of course, we give our input and share our ideas, but in the end, we refuse to have an ego that feeds hurt feelings or dampens our spirits and the spirits of those around us. In the long run, these attitudes only weaken the dynamic between the greater whole and spoils the greater plans.

Today’s verse speaks mainly about leaders at our places of worship. We pray for them and humbly listen to their guidance. Humility is not weakness; it is wisdom. It is learning how to see the vision of others and how to be a good team player. Instead of forcing our ideas into the mix, we speak them and then listen in considerate respect as we would want to be treated in similar circumstances.

Father, you created among us those who were born to be our leaders. These fine people have a built-in courage and understanding of how to fix problems and help move us out of troubling issues. When humility is in play in our hearts and we respond to these natural abilities, we gain so much more than when we disrupt and cause a stir. Teach us how to acknowledge, to esteem their value. Give us eyes to see the bigger picture of their great work. In Jesus name, Amen.

Sure Foundation

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
  “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” (Luke 6:46-48)

If I am in tune to God and not wrapped up in my circumstances, somewhere deep in my spirit, I know what He wants of me.

The man who hears the Lord’s words and puts them into practice is compared to a man who builds a house:

1. He digs down deep.
2. He lays a foundation.
3. The foundation is solid.
4. When (not if) the storms come, the house will stand, unshaken.

First, the man digs down deep. No one can do this for him. He must take this journey deep inside his soul and find out where his truest dependence is. Life will help him to discern where his loyalty lies. He must find his Maker, his Father; his King in all things. On nothing else can he ever depend.

Second, the man lays a foundation. All else in life is built on this foundation. His singlehood or marriage, children, job…everything.
Even when life seems good, in reality, good may make him think that he doesn’t need God. Good may be corrupting his soul. When life seems bad, the bad may lead him back to El Shaddai. That is good!

Third, the man realizes that this foundation must be true and solid. If not, all of what sits on top can come crashing down. When the foundation cracks, everything else cracks as well. If he builds on something that cannot crack, his life is solid.

Fourth, the man prepares for storms. He knows they will come. When they come, he is not the one holding everything up, but the foundation he has chosen. Hopefully, he has chosen God’s will and His kingdom for a sure and steady rock on which to build, and when life’s storms swirl all around his house, he and the house will stand.

I pray prayers I feel so sure God wants for me. Yet, sometimes He doesn’t answer the way I think He should. Sometimes, it feels like the answer is very close to coming true and then at the last minute everything changes. It’s like I’m standing there anticipating this wonderful answered prayer and I’m looking right at it with everything I have and then it collapses right before my eyes.

Answered prayers are not my foundation. The lack of what I want is like a storm that comes, but if I’m standing on the rock, my life will not be shaken.

In reality, to stand firm during unwanted circumstances is better than the uncertainty of temporal, happy times. If what I want is God’s will, it’ll come in His timing. The waiting is part of the journey. It’s part of my story. It’s my chance to let God shine through me.

I am learning that God works in unanswered prayers!

He’s got this. He’s the only One I can put my hope in and know that I am safe and strong in Him. Trusting Him is all I have. It’s all I need. It’s why I can dry my tears and get up and go out and serve His people in power.

In Nehemiah 4:4-12, Nehemiah had a great task: to gather the people to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. But enemies came and tried to discourage and frighten their work.

He prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads.” So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead…they were very angry. They all plotted together to…fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.
Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.” Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

In the end, Nehemiah bravely encouraged the people and they put away their fears and finished the wall.

When we are in the process of building our lives on a sure foundation, we will have very real enemies to threaten, discourage, and attack us (hard circumstances, negative thoughts, disappointments).

A lot of times, we (like the people) get most discouraged when we are halfway through the project. We look back and wonder if our time has been a waste. We lose confidence and momentum. We become weary of the task that feels too big for us. We don’t like the voices around us who hinder our way.

Yet, if the task is of God, He wants to show us Himself as our strong foundation. He enables us to have what strength we need to finish His work.

Father, I dig down deep and lay my foundation on the Lord Jesus Christ. He causes me to stand strong in the storms of life. I keep my eyes on you! There are times I think I can ‘do it myself’ or I know what’s best for me. There are times, in human error I imagine I hear your voice and then discover it wasn’t you at all. Yet, you use others in my life to set me back on the right path. I realize that my demand to always hear your voice for myself is shallow. I humble myself and put my confidence not in my ability to hear you, but in your ability to relay your will to me however you please. I humble myself before you! Help me to build my house on the rock of Christ who will forever hold me up. In Jesus name, Amen.