All That I Am Today
(A ministry for THIS moment)
"Offering everything we are to the Lord."
most writing is by South Dakota author BJ Reese
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"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." ~ Ephesians 4:12
"It is my hope that this web site will minister to the hearts of ALL God's children . . ." ~ BJ Reese
WELCOME TO ALL THAT i AM TODAY TEACHING MINISTRY
Bonnie (BJ) Reese
Founder
Jan Suntken
Founding Partner
Kelly F. Miller
Ministry Partner
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." ~ 1 Corinthians 14:33
ALL THAT I AM TODAY
~ ministry moments ~
JUNE, 2021, thru DECEMBER, 2022
CAN YOU IMAGINE?
With all the activity surrounding this time of the year, we will not be posting articles on all of our other pages this month. Instead, we invite you and your family to enjoy your personal celebrations, whatever they may look like.
In place of our usual articles, I share these thoughts with you . . . in the hope that they will cause you to stop and reflect on the TRUE meaning of this wondrous, festive time of the year, and to share that wonder with those you
love . . .
I love preparing for Christmas! The sense of anticipation it creates fills me with immeasurable joy. I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. Evidence of other people’s excitement is reflected all around us. As I thought about it the other day, my mind began to wander. Suddenly, I was imagining a very different ‘Christmas’ celebration, that happened long, long ago . . .
For thousands of years, the world had been told that a Savior would come. The story had been handed down, from generation to generation. Prophets had written about the promise, sharing the words God had given them. Whole nations of people clung fiercely to that promise, looking eagerly for some proof that it was time. Can you imagine what it must’ve been like, to be on Earth back then?
Do you ever wonder what they thought His arrival would be like? Were they expecting something obvious, so they would KNOW it was Him? Were they expecting a loud, flashy entrance . . . with lots of fanfare and celebration? Were they watching for the arrival of a regal, elegant, well-dressed King?
Personally, I can’t help but wonder what they must have expected, after all those millennia of hearing the stories.
It must have been built up in their minds and hopes SO much! And then, with no warning; with no fanfare of any kind . . . that star appeared, lighting the world SO brightly. The announcement came – delivered to humble shepherds by Heavenly beings . . . “He’s here!” Finally, the Promised One had arrived!
Oh, what joy they must have felt! What anticipation, as they travelled to see Him for themselves. “And . . .we can find Him . . . in a . . . where? What? He’s a . . . baby?!!? It had to be mind-boggling . . . the anticipated Savior of the entire world was an infant? Sleeping in a place meant for feeding animals? I can barely wrap my mind around it all, so it’s impossible to guess what they were feeling or thinking.
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This Christmas, as you prepare for your family’s celebration and festivities, invest a few minutes in imagining THAT Christmas. Sit in the quiet and try to envision the excitement, the joy, the wonder, and the anticipation --- and the confusion --- they must have felt. I am certain that what we feel today cannot compare to what they felt.
Merry Christmas, My Friends!
(January, 2023, ending, for LWC)
This year, as you pack away your decorations, invest a few minutes in imagining THAT Christmas . . . and how it must have felt. See if – in this New Year – you can carry that sense of wonder with you, all the way to NEXT Christmas.
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To His Glory . . .
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THANK-YOU, FOR WORK TO DO
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I have worked, almost exclusively, from home for that past 23 years. More recently, I closed my business of 20 years and, now, count myself among the “retired” or “semi-retired” portion of our society. Every now and then, thoughts of this status pop up during my private time with God.
When it does, I realize what a precious gift it is. I can do my household chores at my leisure – in whatever order I choose. I can sit at my computer and work on items for this web site, or for its related Facebook Group page. Meanwhile, God provides for my financial needs through the monthly income I receive as a senior citizen.
He has seen to it that there is more than enough to pay for my home, its related expenses, and the food I need to survive. As promised in His Holy Word, all of my needs are provided for. I feel immensely cared for, thanks to Him. A few days ago, I was overwhelmed with gratitude by these thoughts. So, I wrote God a thank-you note . . .
Thank-you, Father,
For work to do, the time to do it, and the freedom to choose how,
and when, I do it.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Do you count yourself among those who are retired, or semi-retired? I encourage you to take a long, thoughtful look at the blessings that are tucked into that status. Sure . . . you may be earning less money than before. But what have you gained in the process? Look for it. Identify it. Then, thank God for that precious gift.
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
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To His Glory . . .
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OBEDIENCE​
“Obedience” is such a difficult concept, especially when we try to understand it in our fallen world. Thinking of it evokes phrases like, “Just do what you’re told.” Or “Don’t make such a fuss. Behave yourself.” These statements, and others like them, usually cause us to be angry or resentful. They are the result of our human perception of what it means to obey.
However, I am {slowly, I confess} learning that ‘obedience’ is a very different concept in my walk with God. Yes, He wants us to follow the commandments and guidelines laid out in His Word. But not in a ‘do what you’re told’ posture that looks like we’re afraid to have an independent thought.
Rather, God is hoping we will WANT to follow. That we will ASK Him – at every turn, in every decision – what HE wants us to do. Allow me to share an example . . .
Recently, while struggling to decide whether or not to treat myself to breakfast out, I became extremely confused – not my normal response. I often go out for “Breakfast with God” when Rich is working. I called out to God, asking Him to help me hear ONLY His Voice – to deafen my ears to any other voice but His.
Within moments, I had a crystal clear understanding of what to do. When I asked God about the sudden change, clarity formed in my mind. “When you asked me to deafen your ears to all other voices, THAT was the obedience I was looking for.”
You see, my friends, God DOES want us to obey Him. But He doesn’t want to shove the rules down our throats, pounding us into submission. He wants us to come willingly into a place where we SEEK His loving advice about what to do. He wants us to approach Him in joy, not anger.
October 17 {if all goes as planned}, on our Facebook group’s page, we will begin a new Scripture challenge. Because anger takes on many forms, and worms its way into many areas of our lives, we’re going to explore what God’s Word has to say about it. I hope you’ll join us.
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To His Glory . . .
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​NEVER GIVE UP
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
~ Ephesians 6:13
The Sunday after the 9-11 attacks, I attended a healing service at Mt. Rushmore. A group of very devoted people had organized this massive, multi-denomination service in a matter of only a few days. I remember being very moved by the speakers, the music, and the feeling of unity among all in attendance.
Of all that happened and was said during that service, there is one quotation that has stuck with me. I think of it almost every single day – especially in difficult situations. As I recall, the person who said it spoke near the end of the service. She presented this saying as something she had heard and remembered . . .
“You can knock me down. You can kick me while I’m down.
But you will have to kill me to keep me from getting up!”
~ author unknown
In the 21 years since those awful events, the value of these words has changed for me. Yes, they were definitely an encouraging, appropriate response to the attack that was launched against our great country. But, today, I see them as SO much more. No matter what difficulties we are facing, in our everyday lives, these words can apply. They remind us NOT to give up, no matter how hard things might get. As Christians, we are told that we will, at times, be persecuted for our beliefs. That there will always be someone who disagrees . . . or wants to silence our beliefs altogether.
Around the world, many Christians are threatened, attacked, or killed because of their faith in God. Believers in many countries must hide, and do their worshipping in secret – or risk being killed. Personally, I cannot imagine what it must be like to live in a place where one’s thoughts could get them killed. But I do know this:
If ever faced with that sort of threat, I hope that my mind will recall the words I heard at that healing service in 2001, and the words from Ephesians 6:13. I pray that my heart will muster the courage to FEEL those words with every ounce of strength available to me. That I will be able to boldly stand there, fully committed to the determination in those words: “. . . you will have to KILL me to keep me from getting up!”
To His Glory . . .
K
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SHARE THE GOOD NEWS
In a recent sermon, our pastor discussed sharing the Good News with people who “don’t deserve it” . . . people who are angry, or mean, or ‘scary-looking’; people who don’t believe in God. More specifically, he spoke of our resistance to sharing the gospel with them. If we are perfectly honest with ourselves, we must admit that we don’t WANT to share with them, because of the way they are.
But, wait a second. Is THAT what we were told? “Go . . . and teach all those who deserve to hear the Gospel?” No, that is NOT what we were told. The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28, 19-20, tells us:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto
the end of the world. Amen.” (KJV)
ALL nations. ALL peoples. Let’s be realistic: NONE of us deserves the gifts and blessings God has given us, but He gives them, anyway. Because He loves us ALL, and wants ALL of us reconciled to Himself.
Those of us who have chosen to follow God have already heard the Good News. We KNOW what Jesus did for us, and that draws us closer to Him. But, what about those who DON’T know? Those who have not yet heard? Angry, frightened people; those who are bitter, frustrated, impatient, or hateful . . . think about what it must feel like to be
in that state of mind all the time.
Don’t you think such people NEED the Good News even more than anyone else? What might the gracious, loving mercy of God DO for all of the darkness in their hearts? Wouldn’t it be great, to be a part of turning on the lights in their lives? After all that God has done for us, shouldn’t we WANT to share that joy with those who NEED it the most?
I can think of no better way to honor and glorify our Loving Father . . .
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To His Glory . . .
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REMEMBER​
As Easter weekend began this year, a mystifying question crossed my mind. It started with a prayer for our family members and loved ones, wherever they are. Every morning, I lift up the hope that they will each find their way to God. This time, I also expressed the hope that they will remember what this weekend is all about. That’s when I heard the question cross my mind.
“Isn’t it curious,” I thought, “that people who claim they don’t believe in God, or in Jesus, latch onto the Christmas Holiday? Onto the Easter Holiday? I can’t help but wonder: what do they think those days are all about? What do they think we’re celebrating?
BOTH of these Holidays are ALL about Jesus, the Son of God. They’re about the tremendous gift he gave to the world, simply by being here. The extraordinary sacrifice He made by dying here. And the eternal gift He offered when He rose to Glory. These two days are all about His amazing story.
It's not the meal, or all the trimmings we prepare to go with it. It isn’t the special desserts we make for this one day. It isn’t the Easter basket, the new clothes in lively pastel colors, the colored eggs, the chocolate bunnies, or any of the other trappings we’ve assigned to Easter Sunday.
It isn’t the church services. It isn’t the family gatherings. It isn’t any of that, any more than Christmas is about evergreen trees, mountains of cookies, and piles of presents. Neither of these days are about ANY of these things. They are both about this one extraordinary man, who came to Earth to show us Who our God is . . . to let us SEE how He wants us to act. To show us what love really looks like.
Whatever else we did to celebrate this Holy day, it is my urgent prayer that each of us who DOES believe will remember. That we will live each and every day in a way that illustrates – and shares – the incredible Love that Easter represents.
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To His Glory . . .
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​LET IT BE​
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God.”
We hear this phrase often. My strongest memory of it is in the song of the same name by the late John Lennon. During this past month, however, I heard it from a source far more important to me . . . God. While sitting with Him in my quiet time, I was trying to come up with web site articles to write for April. As I strained to listen for His Divine Guidance, all I heard was . . . “Let it be.”
So, this month, I’m trying something different. April marks the fourth anniversary of the launch of this web site. Also, Easter is coming in just a couple of weeks. So, I’m going to do as God asks . . . I’m going to let it be. No new articles, or thoughts designed to teach. We just going to . . . be here.
Take the time to browse the words that have been posted here over the past four years. Rest in God’s peace. Let Him hold you as you reflect on the glorious Gift He gave us . . . which Easter represents. Celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection with us. Treasure this moment in your life. Enjoy this chance to . . . just . . . let it all BE what it is . . .
Thank you, for leading us to this wondrous place, Father! Happy 4th Anniversary, All That I Am Today!
Happy Easter, Everyone!
To His Glory . . .
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​HOW OLD AM I?​
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There’s a magnet on my refrigerator that tickles me every time I look at it. It shows a very elderly man, sitting on a tricycle, and it poses an extremely thought-provoking question:
“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”
I find this a delightful question to ponder. As I do, I discover a multitude of answers . . .
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The calendar says I’m 68 years old.
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As a married woman, my “age” totals 43 years.
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As a parent, I’m 46.
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As a step-parent, I’m 40.
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As a grandparent, I’m 35.
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As a woman seeking relationship with God, I’m 31.
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As a resident of South Dakota, I’m 22.
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As a baptized daughter of the King, I’m 14; and,
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According to the mercy of God, I am brand-new today!
Of course, none of that is the point that the magnet’s creator was trying to make. Quite simply, I believe he was telling us not to let the calendar define us . . . or to allow chronological age to tell us what our limitations should be. So, here’s my suggestion. Read the question again. Think about it. Pray about it. How old are YOU?
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To His Glory . . .
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​BECOME AS A LITTLE CHILD​
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“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter
into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself
as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
~ Matthew 18:3-4
I’ve always thought that scriptures like this one referred to trusting as a child does, but now I think there might be more. Recently, God revealed to me a dark, ugly truth hiding in my own heart. Hate. The kind of hate a child feels when they have been hurt or betrayed. God was asking me to give Him that hate. To surrender it to Him.
Suddenly, I felt a new understanding of the above scripture. It seemed as though God was saying, “You must give Me ALL the things you feel, in order to enter the kingdom of heaven – even the dark, ugly ones.”
Besides trusting Him, I now believe He is also asking us to surrender the childlike hate and anger we too often carry wherever we go. To succumb to the simple, humble way in which a small child openly says EVERYTHING
he feels.
Perhaps there is a humbleness in THAT kind of honesty that we, as adults, fail to recognize. Maybe there is even a sinful form of pride, attached to our darkest feelings, that we don’t see as prideful. I don’t claim to know all the answers . . . but I DO believe we need to think about it.
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To His Glory . . .
KEEPING THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS ALIVE ALL YEAR​
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In keeping with our goal to keep the joy of Christmas alive all year, I’m sharing some thoughts
that passed through my mind during that first week or so, right after Christmas day.
~ BJ ~
As a new year dawns, our Christmas presents are put into their places, the cookies are almost gone. Another Christmas Season has passed. Somewhere inside, we feel sort of let-down – like the way a balloon looks when it deflates. Where did all that joy go? We felt it only last week . . .
What if, THIS YEAR, we change the question? Let’s try this: WHY did I feel all that joy? Where did it come from?
I believe the answer is fairly simple.
One Man was born Who, whenever His Birthday comes around, everyone has a party. Think about that: they aren’t all attending ONE party. They’re EACH having a party to celebrate His Special Day. This One Birth causes millions – perhaps billions – of people, around the world, to pause and celebrate that He was born.
THAT is the Source of our joy during this Sacred Season. Why should that joy fade as soon as the New Year begins? What might change, in each of our lives, if we cling to that Gift of Joy every day of this new year?
Here at All That I Am Today, we invite each of you – and your loved ones – to help us explore that question throughout this year. We are committed to carrying the Gift of Joy in our hearts every day . . . one day at a time. Won’t you join us?
Happy New Year --- from all of us!
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To His Glory . . .
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WHAT'S STOPPING YOU?​
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A recent devotion discussed the relentless bombardment of noise in our modern world. No one can deny it: we live in a noisy, busy world. Usually, we respond to all that noise as if we have no choice - believing we are helpless victims of the chaos. But . . . are we? Are we truly helpless?
Are there any sounds that we can actually reduce or, at least, limit our exposure to? Certainly, we can’t reduce how much traffic we face on our daily commute to work. However, we CAN control what we hear on that journey. We can control what we hear on the radio, or if we even listen to it at all. At home, we have even more control - far more influence than we acknowledge.
The TV, stereo, the sounds on video games or computers . . . we choose all the noise levels on these devices. If it’s rattling our nerves, we can change that! Tired of the phone interrupting dinner time, or pestering you with alerts every few moments? We can do something about that, too!
We are not required to hear an alert every time some new thing is posted on our social media feeds. We can turn OFF those alerts. Anything we missed will still be there later, when we check. We can silence the phone - or even turn it off entirely for a while. Anyone calling will either leave us a message, or try again later.
We can, believe it or not, stop all those interruptions - even if only for a little while. I remember a time, long ago, when I needed to shut off my phone at night, to prevent harassing phone calls from my estranged first husband. I notified all family members, who lived in other states, the hours during which my phone would be off. I instructed them that, if an emergency arose during those hours, to contact the Red Cross or the State Police. Otherwise, call me in the morning.
Imagine visiting with a cherished friend and NOT having that visit disturbed by your phone. Imagine sitting to watch a movie with your family without ANY interruptions at all. Imagine one day a week where you don’t even turn ON your computer - for anything.
My point here is simple: you CAN, indeed, do something about some of the relentless noise around you. You have the authority - and the power - to make change happen. Listen to your world. Identify those sounds which seem to be getting on your very last nerve. Then, figure out what, if anything, you can do about them. Can you change anything? Anything at all? If so . . . what’s stopping you?
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To His Glory . . .
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THE CURE IS LOVE​
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“Hate . . . is a disease worse than any plague the world has ever
seen . . . the cure is inside every one of us . . . {it’s} love.”
~ “Dust Child” episode, Highway to Heaven
This statement took my breath away when I heard it recently. It speaks to the very heart of All That I Am Today.
You see, when Jan and I first became friends, we knew only that the connection felt God-guided. A few months later, we hear a short, distinct message: “Stop the hate.” It was then that we began to suspect that God was calling us to a ministry of some sort.
Today, the path is much clearer to us. We feel compelled to help people recognize His Voice in their daily lives. To help them distinguish His Voice from the voices of their enemies. This sounds like a huge, daunting goal, but God has shown us the simplicity of it.
That simplicity is why this quote from an old TV show hit me so hard . . . because the message is SO simple. God’s Voice always sounds like Love. Anything hateful is coming from our enemies. When we know the difference between the two, speaking hate won’t be as comfortable for us.
The best news of all? We get to CHOOSE. Every. Single. Day.
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To His Glory . . .
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EVERY 'E' MAKES A DIFFERENCE!​
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As a new year dawns, our Christmas presents are put into their places, the cookies are almost gone. Another Christmas Season has passed. Somewhere inside, we feel sort of let-down – like the way a balloon looks when it deflates. Where did all that joy go? We felt it only last week . . .
As Christians, we are often encouraged to allow our love for God to show in our day-to-day actions and encounters. But, do you ever wonder if it really matters? Do you ever catch yourself asking, ‘Does MY contribution – MY effort – REALLY make any difference?
If we are totally honest, most of us DO ask those questions from time to time, at least to ourselves. We all have occasional doubts that we are making any sort of an impact in God’s world. So, I thought I would prepare a simple demonstration:
“Imagine that you represent one of the 26 letters in our alphabet. Each of us
is a different letter . . . let’s say you are an ‘e’. Now, imagine that, as we typed
this little article, the ‘e’ key on my keyboard is stuck. Completely seized-up,
there is absolutely NO way for me to type an ‘e’ into this article.
In my desperate attempt to fill all the spaces in our article, I decide to use a
substitute letter. I will have an ‘x’ stand in for the ‘e’ . . . asking the ‘x’ to do
the job that was originally intended for the ‘e’ to do. Once I’ve successfully
‘sent in’ my sub, the story now looks like this . . .”
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Imaginx that you rxprxsxnt onx of thx 26 lxttxrs in our alphabxt. Xach of us is
a diffxrxnt lxttxr . . . lxt’s say you arx an ‘x’. Now, imaginx that, as wx typxd
this littlx articlx, thx ‘x’ kxy on my kxyboard is stuck. Complxtxly sxizxd-up,
thxrx is absolutxly NO way for mx to typx an ‘x’ into this articlx.
In my dxspxratx attxmpt to fill all thx spacxs in our articlx, I dxcidx to usx a
substitutx lxttxr. I will havx an ‘x’ stand in for thx ‘x’ . . . asking thx ‘x’ to do
thx job that was originally intxndxd for thx ‘x’ to do. Oncx I’vx succxssfully
‘sxnt in’ my sub, thx story now looks likx this . . .
Look carefully. Read that second sample again . . . only, this time, do NOT read it as your brain interprets it. Read it EXACTLY as it is actually written. Then, YOU tell ME . . . would the ‘e’ have made a difference?
You see, my friend: EACH of us matters in God’s plan. He can send in a sub if we aren’t available or willing to do as He asks . . . but the outcome won’t be the same. The sub’s impact on the story will change how the story turns out. However small you may think it is, your part in God’s plan DOES matter. He has a reason for choosing you for the task He has assigned to you. Just as we can see in the story above, every ‘e’ makes a difference.
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To His Glory . . .
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B.U.S.Y.​
The month of May turned out to be a busy time for our ministry team . . . so busy, in fact, that we’ve only been able to get together once in the past month. That’s unusual for us. Fortunately, we can touch base by phone, email, or a variety of message options. That helps us feel connected. Despite being separated by various obligations, I’ve noticed that, when one of us is in need, the others are there for her. One way or another, we reach out to lift each other up . . . such a blessing.
Still, as I recently thought about our crazy-busy month, I was reminded of an acronym I once saw for the word 'busy':
Being
Under
Satan’s
Yoke
When I thought of this disturbing acronym, I looked up ‘yoke’ in the dictionary. I found the expected definitions, having to do with joining a team of animals together for farming and hauling. But there were some other definitions, also:
“. . . symbol of bondage or servitude . . . bondage; servitude; subjection . . .”
and a rare definition: “enslave”.
Whoa! A humbling thought when linked to the word ‘busy’.
My team and I recognize the potential danger in that word. It is easy to become ensnared in busy-ness in our hurry-up world. We strive earnestly to balance our work with rest . . . and to alert one another if we seem to be crossing the line.
Joyce Meyer reminds us how our enemies want to prevent us from working for God. She also warns us: if he can’t stop us from working for God, he will do his best to get us to overwork for God. This warning has become our watchword . . . a reminder we share often.
In order to defend ourselves from the hidden hazards of being ‘busy’, we cling to another word: ‘surrender’. In absolute, total surrender to the will of God, we are able to hang onto the joy that drives our work. Surrender is at the very core of this ministry.
If your life often feels as though its spinning out of control, we have a suggestion for you. Stop, and take a long, relaxing breath. Ask the Lord to show you a time – each day – when you can apply the brakes and focus solely on Him. Let Him use that space-of-time to lift you out of your busy-ness . . . and set you down gently in the joy of surrender. You’ll be amazed at the balance you find there.
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To His Glory . . .
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