The Minor Things

Indeed, God uses the foolish things to confound the wise.

In like spirit, I think God uses the simple things to remind us of who He is when the complexities of this life would have us guessing and questioning the entirety of the process.

Situations come and go. Frustrations and distractions cause some of them to last and linger longer than we would prefer. Decisions must be made; actions must be taken. The mental taxation of it all can keep us, even rob us, of appreciating this life He has blessed us with... to the point we often fail to enjoy and at times, LIVE, as we are meant to be living it.

Instead we live by our emotions and mindset, rather than the beliefs in our heart and the courage of our convictions that accompany them. This process can happen at any stage, but I think there can be a confluence of events when people find themselves somewhere near the middle. Perhaps, by age or financial position, somewhere in between along the corporate scale... parenthood (for instance, when you feel like you are dealing with teenagers before their numerical age is remotely close to that phase).

Where are you in life?
I'm in the middle.
Of what.
Whatever. Just in the middle.

See how quick that mindset can become dangerous?

Mediocrity lies in the middle. If we aren't careful, it can motivate us to propel quickly upwards or it can depress us to spiral downward, even more quickly.

Yet, it's the minor things... the 1,000 consolations of God, (if I can borrow a concept from the Kevin Sorbo movie, What If) that, if we remain alert and aware of God moving, ministering and speaking into our lives that will keep us moving forward. Whatever the pace and status of our journey, God always finds ways to interject reminders that He is with us, that He has plans and purposes for which we are to fulfill and whatever weighs on our hearts and minds, He has the resources to move on our behalf.

Pray, this #associatePastorTuesday for pastors feeling stuck in the middle. Perhaps in ministry, at home or life in general... whatever their struggle and frustration, pray God would bring comfort to their hearts and peace that surpasses understanding to their minds. For wherever they may be in their relationships, marriages and parenthood, may they be encouraged that God is working out the details. The struggles, the fights, the battles... as unpleasant and aggravating as they are, may God strengthen and gird them up; for what is meant to destroy them and take them out, even burn them out... may they resolve their commitment to God and the calling He has placed upon them to remain steadfast and firm. Despite feeling and perhaps literally being in the middle, may they be reminded it is only a season.

Faithful in service.
Steadfast in position.
Focused on the work at hand;
Laying our frustrations at His throne.
All to be used for His glory.

- PNC

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