My Gift To Him

"Therefore, those who also suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right." 1 Peter 4:19

What do you give the person who has everything? No doubt you have had that thought if not already spoken the phrase several times already during this holiday season.

I am purposely committing to step away from the shopping and planning and carve out some quiet time to think about what I want to give to my Lord this year. I know, we all want to give Him our love and devotion, our worship and adoration--all the things He so richly deserves and we so often neglect to offer. But what about me personally? What am I to offer Him this year and looking toward the year to come? As I think and pray, my mind continues to bring me back to the verse that I have committed to memorize for 2010--1 Peter 4:19. I am especially drawn to the last half of the verse, "...shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."

Whether I like it or not, suffering is a very real part of life--even the life of the committed believer. But how I respond to suffering and trials is really my gift back to Christ. Am I going to get angry, kick and scream, panic and run? Or am I going to release my will and continue to do what is right, trusting that my God, the Lover of my soul will be glorified and bring something good and precious from my trial?

My gift to Him this year is settled. I will entrust my soul to my faithful Creator in doing what is right.

How about you?

Do The Next Thing

"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:2


Elisabeth Elliot often quotes this beautiful old poem. When I am so overwhelmed with care and responsibility and not sure how everything is to be accomplished, these words encourage me not to look too far ahead. Many times faithfulness in this walk with Christ is a matter of being determined just to "Do the next thing."

"At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
there came in the twilight a message to me.
It's quaint Season legend deeply engraven
that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
like a low inspiration, "Do the next thing."

Many a questioning, many a fear,
many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,
trust that with Jesus, "Do the next thing."

Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
leave all resultings, "Do the next thing."

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
working or suffering be thy demeanor,
in His dear presence, the rest of His calm
the light of His countenance
be thy psalm, "Do the next thing."