Better Than You Found It
"Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Numbers 14:3
My parents taught me at a very early age that I should always leave things better than I find them. If I find a mess in the kitchen, I should clean it up. If I find trash on the floor, pick it up--even if I didn't put it there. As I have grown older, it has been easy to see this teaching translating into people, relationships, everywhere we go and everything we do.
I haven't always left things and people better than I found them, but the older I get, the more I recognize how important this principle really is. It is service, and God's Word teaches us that service is at the core of our relationship with Him. 1 Corinthians 9:19 says, "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them." And, Matthew 23:11 tells us, "The greatest among you shall be your servant."
This has really hit home with me lately as I felt God leading me to change jobs. I don't like change much, but there was God's gentle nudge and tug at my heart, so I moved. I didn't get a pay raise or a better commute. No, not even a better working schedule. And, like Moses in front of the burning bush, I have argued with God an awful lot about it. Like the Israelites leaving Egypt, I had become accustomed to the old way, and my discussions with my Savior reveal the doubting Thomas in me.
"Did I hear you right, Lord? You know I don't like change! How about sending someone who's out of work? I'm perfectly fine right where I am!"
But, He leads us where our gifts and talents are most needed--not where we will be the most comfortable. Like a good post-tension slab, He stretches us and firms our foundation so that the soul becomes strong, immovable through all of life's many storms.
And, He teaches us to serve.
I pray I leave this new challenge and every little thing better than I have found it so that others see Jesus in me. I pray you do, too.
Goodnight, Runners.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog. May God bless you as you seek to follow Him with all of your heart. And, may you have the best day you have ever had in your life.