Knock. Knock. Who’s there? ...hey, a squirrel!

Distractions are everywhere. And they’re keeping me from my work! Or, I’m letting them.

As a servant of God I understand that what I have here on this earth has been given to me by God. He expects me to use it wisely to bring Him praise. When I say that, I’m attempting to be all inclusive. For example, most of us understand that God has given us our wealth. It is not something we own or expect to see in heaven. We are stewards of our ...umm, God’s finances. So also, parents understand their children belong first to God. And they are accountable to Him for raising them properly. These are common things. But what I find to be less obvious or at least more difficult to live consistently is the idea that my time belongs to God. It is a gift given to me by God. I’m expected to use it wisely.

The problem comes to light in my life when, as a missionary in training, I have certain responsibilities but no accountability. You see, this spring semester is an especially busy part of my year. But most of the busyness stems from the need to plan ahead a.k.a. delayed consequences for procrastination. Coming up this June-July I will take part in what is known as the Jungle Camp program. During this time the students in my class will have two weeks to build plastic houses out in the bush. Actually, they’re pole frames with heavy duty plastic wrapped around all sides and the roof. We will live in our houses for about four weeks. No leaving. If we forget something, too bad. One of the biggest things I’ll learn from this course is planning ahead. However, that is only possible if I stay focused and don’t get distracted with other things that are perhaps good activities but not essential.

This idea, of staying focused, applies to all areas of life. It’s so easy for me to say, “my life belongs to God”. Yet, when I examine my actions I quickly realize I’m distracted by many things that wont even matter next week. I’m accountable to God, but the consequence of my poor choices is delayed. I merrily follow whatever new thing momentarily intrigues me, not realizing that in consuming the temporal I’ve forfeited the eternal. And so it goes, when in this life I have failed to put first-things-first allowing myself to be distracted by the present, I cheat myself of what is most important.

Good is often the enemy of the best. -Anonymous

Romans 12:1-2:

1 Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice - alive, holy, and pleasing to God - which is your reasonable service.
2 Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God - what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

Pray that I learn to to use ‘my time’ wisely.

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR

When God led the Israelites out of Egypt He did not intend to let them wander 4o years in the Wilderness. He brought them through trial after trial, leading and protecting them on their journey to the Promised Land. Indeed He performed many miracles; protecting them form Pharaoh’s army by parting the Red Sea; giving them water from the rock; feeding them Manna from heaven; and sending quail to their camp. He did not even let their sandals wear-out. But when they came to the land God promised to give them, they failed to trust God. Instead they believed the spies who told them giants lived in that land whom they could not defeat. Can you imagine after all that God had brought them through, they just gave up! Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, believed God. It’s such an incredible story!

Sadly, I find in myself that same spirit of self-reliance and failure to believe God. When life gets sticky I tend to believe my problems are bigger than God. I’m trying to become a missionary, an ambassador of Christ. I desire to serve the Only True God, to bring His truth to those lives who have no knowledge of Him. But, when I think of the future being so uncertain and all that must be accomplished before I am ready, I become weak and afraid and so willing to believe I’ll never make it. It’s times like this, when I have no choice but to acknowledge my inability, that I find it both the most difficult and the most comforting to believe God is working on my behalf and I can trust Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

Is 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is an eternal God, the creator of the whole earth. He does not get tired or weary; there is no limit to his wisdom. He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy. Even youths get tired and weary; Even strong young men clumsily stumble. But those who wait for the LORD's help find renewed strength; they rise-up as if they had eagles' wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.

Caution: GOD at Work

In all reality I'm just a regular guy who want's to see GOD work in and through me. I’ve never accomplished anything amazing or been outstanding in any particular way. In fact, the closest I’ve come to fame is doing a belly flop off the diving board. And it hurt badly enough that all the accolades I received did little to promote my ego. So, if your at all inclined to believe my interest in missions is a direct result of superior intelligence, athleticism or skill in some unseen area, forget it! I’m Daniel Laubacher, plain and simple, nothing more, nothing less, and that’s all I’ll ever be. To be completely honest, who I am and what I can do has nothing to do with my interest in missions. You see, I serve an awesome GOD and He is the source of my motivation and ability. Without His work in my life I’m nobody. Not that I’m anybody now, but without Him giving my life value, it doesn’t matter what I can do and with the value He’s given me, it doesn’t matter what I can’t do. The bottom line is GOD is at work. He’s changing me; He’s teaching me; and He’s using me. So if your going to be impressed be impressed that GOD can use someone like me.