As young people, so much of your life is about figuring out what to do with your life, or as a Christian, what God's will is for your life. I can't tell you how many young people I've heard over the years ask prayer for themselves as they "find God's will for my life". A good thing, yes. But I think that we get a little too caught up in finding that will and forget that He has a will for our lives today! But of course, it's the little "boring" things, right? Not the exciting things like being a missionary to Brazil, or preaching revival into America, or getting married...right? It's things like, reading your Bible every day, creating a personal prayer life with Christ, being a witness for Him to everyone you meet, learning submission to your parents and pastor, cleaning the toilet at church...yeah, those things. But they are just as important. In fact, tomorrow's will won't be the same if we don't do today's will. My pastor often says "God won't show us His specific will, some missionaries, some pastors, some youth pastors wives, until we are doing His general will, the things He asks all Christians to do such as the Bible and prayer and witnessing." This thought is brought forth in a couple of verses such as... "Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." (Luke 19:17) and "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much..." (Luke 16:10).
   I'm not saying I've never had these thoughts. In fact, there have been many times when I've found myself in dream land about the "perfect" days when I'll be serving by my husband's side...and then I have to poke myself in the ribs and say "Get real, Sarah!" 1) it won't be "perfect" and 2) I still have so much to work on now! Attitudes, priorities, getting up in the morning... :-) So much in life to do today! If I let myself dream about tomorrow (even if I am dreaming about it realistically) then I am letting something fall by the wayside today! I'm not being faithful to my calling of today! That person I should have given a tract to at the store, that attitude I shouldn't have had with my mom when she asked me somthing, the dishes I should have done but "didn't feel like doing"...today is full of so much!
   One other thing I want to say is that I'm not saying we shouldn't be preparing for tomorrow, that "whatever will happen will happen"... We do have a part in preparing our lives for whatever He has in store for us. I just think we take a little too much time on tomorrow. We need to find that healthy balance. The Bible does say " Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:17). That doesn't mean we have to have our whole life figured out, but if there is something that He says to do, don't be an idiot, do it! :-) And I think He is saying alot more than we want to think...for today.
   Some day, when you are just going along, minding your own business, concentrating on His will for today, you'll round a corner, and there it will be. His specific will for your life. For my life. :-) An exciting thought!
   So! What is His will for your life today? I'll leave you with a few verses. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2) " ...But first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." (II Cor. 8:5b) "Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart..." (Eph. 6:6) "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication..." (I Thess. 4:3) "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God..." (I Thess. 5:18) "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (Heb. 10:36) "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God." (I Peter 4:2) "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (I John 2:17). Ok, maybe more than a few. :-)

With Prayer,
   Sarah
 
 

     I recently read through the book of Hosea, a book that while showing God's great judgment also shows His amazing mercy and love. Truly one of the "love story" books of the Bible. As I finished up the book I came across a verse that really struck me. I claimed it as my own and the more I thought about it the more ways I saw that it could be applied.
          "They that dwell under his shadow..." Hosea 14:7 
     Doesn't seem like much at first glance does it, and there is more to it(though this is the section that really spoke to me), but lets think about it for a minute. I would like to share with you a few of the differant ways I have seen it.

     First it was a verse of great comfort to me. At this time in my life I am going through numerous difficult situations. Short and sweet, life is hard right now. In this verse I was comforted in that I was reminded that I am dwelling under His shadow! Oh the protection and comfort that that thought evokes! What great comfort to imagine yourself under the shelter of your Heavenly Fathers arms! I was reminded that, even when it seems that all around me are evils and hurts, if I so choose, I can be sheltered by His shadow.

     Secondly it made me think about how I dwell under His shadow. The word "dwell" is an action word that implies that I have to do something to dwell there, to put myself under His shadow. So, what is the difference between when I am under it and when I am not? What do I do to put me under that shadow? We are told in many differant passages throughout the Bible that when we obey the Lord we are under His protection. (Exodus 23:22, Joshua 22:2-4, Jeremiah 7:23, Jeremiah 38:20, Hebrews 5:9 to name a few). So, if I want to be under the protection and comfort of His shadow, I need to be sure that (no matter what sin anyone else around me is doing) I am doing what the Lord wants me to do.

     I don't know how well I have conveyed my thoughts here but I hope that you have gotten at least a little bit of what I've said and that you find this verse as rich as I have found it.

     I challenge you to dwell under His shadow!

With Prayers,
   Sarah