[as i am running]

I think God is trying to teach me something about going lately. Yesterday I was reading about Jesus healing a blind man and got stuck on the phrase "as he went along" [John 9:1], and today I noticed in the Good Samaritan story that the Samaritan stopped to help the beat-up man "as he traveled" [Luke 10:33]. Sure there were destinations they were heading to, but the journey was also an opportunity for ministry, and they didn't miss out.

This is convicting for me because truthfully, I'd love to be overseas right now sharing the gospel. When I first heard that one-third of the world has little or zero exposure to Jesus or the Bible, I immediately signed up to be one of the go-ers. I like adventure. I loved living overseas before. I'm young. I don't have a family to take care of yet. I don't have a lot of material things tying me down here. I'm physically capable. Prime time right? All signs point to yes 'cept God's.

And His is the one that counts.

So instead I am here in Ames working with international students. And don't get me wrong, I am really really blessed. Truly blessed. I get to meet people from many different countries. I get to rest in the comforts of my own culture and language. I get to be close to family and friends. I have incredible people to work with, and I get paid to do this. Wow. So blessed.

But there is still a desire in my heart to go overseas, and I stand guilty of accusing God He doesn't know what He's doing by asking how long til I can go. How long God? I'm ready. I said send me. Next week sound good? Alrighty. I'll get my bags packed!

However, I am learning that has also become a great stumbling block for me. So much of my heart yearns to go overseas that I can easily miss the opportunities God has given me here on the way. On the journey. As I am running. I thought that was a good title since this blog is about the race of life, and I'm realizing that my faithfulness to God is what matters more than the exact places I live or what my job title is.

So as I am running God, would you remind me that You don't need me to accomplish Your purposes? As I am running God, would you keep me humbled? As I am running, would you remind me that my best efforts and intentions are nothing without Your presence? As I am running, would you keep my eyes on the Christ who both began and finished this race we're in, so that above all else, I would put worship before work and love before service? That I may love You for Your own sake, for Your goodness, for Your majesty, and not for what You can do for me.

[keeping first things first]

This post is from my dad. He truthfully hasn't ever really used a computer. His version of email is sitting down with one of us kids or my mom and telling us what to type.

And I don't think he'll actually ever make time to learn because good old fashioned pen and paper still do the trick in keeping farm records and keeping up with people. I like that about him. No one writes hand-written notes anymore. But whether it's some Eden-township humor or a word of sincere encouragement, everything from him is personally written, stamped (sometimes obnoxiously) and delivered via UPS.

Here's a passage from one of his often-quoted and used books, though, that I like and wanted to pass on. It's by John Gile in "Keeping First Things First":

"Many people have much higher callings than they realize
but live on much lower levels than they should.

Our perceptions determine our attitudes,
and our attitudes increase or diminish the joy we experience and give to others.

Men and women in every walk of life seek fulfillment.
But fulfillment isn't something we get from our work.
It is something we bring to it.

Fulfillment isn't found in what we do,
but in why we do it."

I like the last sentence best. Good stuff I do say.