A refuge for us

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;                  
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 62:5-8 ESV

I needed this today. This was one of those moments where God stopped me and was like, "Hey! Slow down and take a breath, I'm right here." He reminded me of who is in control of my chaotic life.

Lately, I have been constantly maintaining deadlines. Deadlines for papers, assignments, scholarships, nursing, work and getting all the beginnings of a bible study lesson prepared to start with one (or a few) of our youth's young women. I'm in this mode of schedules, decisions, and things I "have" to get done. It's such a sweet refresher when I can come across scripture, in perfect timing, to remind me I can pour everything on Him and He'll gladly take care of me.

When I'm all about needing God to step in right now with a step-by-step list of what I need to do and where I need to go, His word says to trust in Him at all times. When I'm overwhelmed by all the decisions life throws at me, His word says pour out your heart before him, because even while you're waiting in the silence, He listens. He understands. He shares in our feelings. He knows.
He is a refuge for you.

When you read these verses, and I mean really absorb their meaning, I hope you are encouraged as much as I am.
God is a refuge for us... and that's all the hope I need.

Committing to the Call

Conviction. I read these scriptures and conviction overwhelms me. I ask myself the questions in Romans and realize what a pitiful job I've done of spreading the Gospel. Simply sharing His love, His Word. So selfishly have I kept the good news to myself in opportunities I should have been outspoken. Sure, there have been times where I have shared the Good News to others.

But the job is never done. I could never do enough. I should never be content with what I've done.

You ask, "Why would you never want to be content?" My answer?  Because there is always so much more when it comes to serving the Lord. You can always be drawn closer. You can always mature deeper in your relationship with Him. There is always a place for you to grow. And like I said before, the job is never done and that's a good thing.

There are so many individuals, adults and children, who will never know the the unfailing love of God. How are they to believe, how are they to know, if they have never heard? The past week I've been reading of Paul's ministry and his commitment to the call is so compelling. We were given that same call in Mark 16:15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." We are to proclaim/preach the Gospel. Who am I to ignore that call? 

I have made it my goal (now and forever) to somehow spread that good news in every encounter and not just when it's convenient for me. I can do this by living a life of that is Christ-centered in all I do (first impressions sometimes say enough), sharing an encouraging word, giving a Bible study, lending a hand or a listening ear, putting my schedule aside for the sake of others, sharing the trials that God has brought me through as well as the blessings He's brought me to, and [re]introducing someone to their Savior. "Beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news" Romans 10:14-15.

Have you had encounters where you may not have answered the call completely? Start fresh. Live out the call.

What are some of the things you have done or want to do to proclaim the Good News?

Romans 10:14-15 ESV