This is actually the name of a country album by Brad Paisley, but it is interesting how it fit into my thoughts of the weekend.
I was praying and questioning if I had wasted time here or if I had really spent the most of every opportunity and moment that I have been a part of. I feel like I have given my all and been present every day, seizing the moments with GOD's abundant love, and meeting the RISEN CHRIST in so many ways. Yet, did I still waste time? Could I have given more?
And then as GOD always does..........HE spoke directly to my heart and gave me an answer to my questioning.
Sunday morning, Pastor Tim spoke on Ephesians 5:1-21. He had three points: 1. Walk in love, 2. Walk in God's light, and 3. Walk in His wisdom.
He asked what we would do if we were given $86,400 every day, but we had to spend it all that day. We could invest it, buy things, etc......we just couldn't carry any of it over to the next day. But remember that we would get another $86,400 then.
Ok, so we wouldn't get that much money every day, but we are given 86,400 seconds every day and at the end of it every second is spent. Once the time is gone you can never get it back.
We need to invest or spend time with GOD, which is NEVER WASTED. We also need to invest time with others, making every effort to encourage one another with an attitude of Praise. And spend time with ourselves in gratitude.
Do you know that time spent laughing improves the quality of life? My heart feels like it has been forever since I have truly laughed........I look forward to lots of moments of laughter once I am home.
Pastor Tim encouraged us to make the most of our time and invest ourselves where we are. Once he said this, I got the warmest feeling in my heart.
He went on to mention his time here in Korea and the many people he met in his 13 years who had wasted time.
Then the REAL part hit home in my heart. It was something I had never heard or at least considered before. Numerous times I have heard messages about planting seed, watering, and harvesting, but Pastor Tim mentioned 'plowing'. He said maybe some are called to break up fallow ground, this is tough and may make you feel crushed. He stated that the hardest work was being used as a plow.
He concluded with saying, "You may not know where their heart is, but the Holy Spirit will use you if you invest your time where He has placed you." You won't know if that is to PLOW, SEED, WATER, or HARVEST.
I realized I have been here to plow fallow ground. Fallow, by the way, means plowed and left unseeded for a season or more. Yet, I have also been witness to planting seed, watering, and reaping a harvest in many ways. All other stories in their self which I haven't shared.
PRAISE THE LORD.......HIS Love endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)
I must add how the album title came into play. Sunday night I was looking at some downloaded songs someone had shared with me. One of those songs was on this album and the whole thing was downloaded. I just found it interesting that it fit into my thoughts.
Not to mention, Our Daily Bread touched me too and continued my thoughts. I read both Sunday's and Monday's (getting ahead for the week with my students). Of course, you can go read these for yourself if you want.
However, Sunday's is titled "He Wants More" GOD loves you and wants you to know HIM. -Cindy Hess Kasper
And Monday's is titled "On Purpose" Glorifying GOD means putting HIS character, HIS will, and HIS ways into action in all that we do.......The purpose of our lives is to let others see what GOD is like as they watch and experience HIS love through us. What a profound privilege it is to mirror GOD's love, mercy, grace, justice, and righteousness to a world whose heart is "veiled" to GOD's truth! (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Our purpose is to show others less of us and more of HIM. That's living on purpose with a purpose!- Joe Stowell
I can only Hope that I live my life this way. After all, I'm not anyone special and definitely not qualified.......just a girl from a small, little town in southern Michigan, who's desire is to live each moment on purpose with a purpose of showing less of me and soooo much more of HIM!
And as the words of the song go........may it be time well wasted!
2 comments:
Very inspiring. I never thought about being the Plow, but it sure sounds like you have been there. Thanks for sharing.
Kimie, Never, Ever, think that the time you have spent over there is wasted. I'm so proud of you. You are doing something most of us only think we should do someday. You are my hero! Remember that! See you very soon.
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