A Confession – Oh, To Love Well
November 19, 2007
Nov 19 – Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
It has been quite the weekend for me. I had the privilege of taking some of the wonderful youth from my church on a camping trip to a campground not so far away for their first experience with church camping. A lot is asked of them, in terms of serving and cooperation and, overall, they really rose to the occasion. Sunday morning, each of three groups presented a portion of our camp-style worship service. The last group shared some verses that really caught me off-guard about Jesus who was rich making Himself poor for us. At that point, I realized that, when I leave my job where I am now, the one thing I want to leave them with is some beginning knowledge of just how much they are loved – because, to some extent, I think every Christian believer has to start there. God enabled me that morning to share my heart in the way I wanted to but something slammed me between the eyes later in the day - despite just how very much I want them to know they are loved, I’m not so sure I have demonstrated that love to them.
It is so easy to lose focus on the WHY. It is so easy to concentrate on the actions in ministry. I try to build the best group I can build and help individuals be the best individuals they can be…and I forget to just be Jesus to them. I want to be one who “delights” in the Lord. I want to show that to them. I want to love them well so that, in time, they become the ones mentioned in these two verses who delight in the Lord.
What is your focus? Where is your heart? And if your intention are good, do your actions coincide with where your heart is? Think about it.
And if you are any of my youth reading this, know that you’re hearing my heart. I hope you will see Jesus in me more in the next month than I have shown you in the past.
