Dear SCC & Friends,
…not in vain… ~1 Corinthians 15:58
Reflection #340
Sometimes we’re too hard on ourselves… Our thoughts become echo chambers of what we could have done better… expressing regrets and second guessing ourselves… We could and should have worked harder, studied more and been a “better everything”… Even if true, is there any good derived when we play that mantra in our heads? …when they measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. ~2 Cor. 10:12 Self-assessments and comparisons lack understanding because they are subjective and have the wrong focus… The Lord wants us to be comfortable in our own skin… The moment we stop trying to be someone else is the moment we can become who God created us to be. We don’t need to be the best, but we do need to be faithful leaving the results to Him. Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do. ~John Wooden~ Each of our lives affects far more people and situations than we will ever know. Our faith rests not on what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and what He is doing for us. ~Spurgeon
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?… ~Ps. 43:5 MSG Even our bad days matter to the Lord… Have you ever had a “pity party” for yourself? You probably didn’t send out invitations because you knew no one would bother to come. Self-pity rears its ugly head when we feel entitled to more and unappreciated by others. Carnal comparisons lead to envy and discontent and ultimately rob us of our joy and trust in the Lord. …Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion… ~Prov. 30:8 Our portion is given to us by God, and in that regard our labor is never in vain… Our purpose begins with Him. …for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. ~Philip. 2:13 ~ …and our purpose continues in Him …be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your work is not in vain in the Lord.~1 Cor. 15:58 Keep up the good work!
Made for these days,
Kevin