Drifting Away - January 1

One Life. 
365 Days. 
A world of difference. 
I can make a difference. 
So can you.
                             

We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard,
so that we do not drift way.   Hebrews 2:1

Drifting away… not an abrupt departure but a slow, often unnoticed change of course.  This Greek word, parareo, is only used once in scripture – in this very verse. Other English translations have been; to flow by, let slip away or to leak out slowly. 

Taking the message of this verse to heart, remembering what I had heard, I was reminded of a very familiar verse in Haggai. While Haggai might not be on the ‘top picks list’ of most Christ-followers, it’s a scripture which cut me to the quick over a decade ago.  So much so, that I printed out the verse in English and Danish and posted it to our fridge for over a year. Haggai 1:6-9 was my go to scripture during a time of financial, physical and familial abundance in our family.  I wanted to remember that all our ‘blessings’ were of no account, if we forgot to build His house. God’s house. The very One who had provided all our blessings.

Time went by. The ink, splashed by typical kitchen activities, began to run and eventually the piece of paper with the scripture was removed from the fridge.  But the message has been in my heart all along.  In your abundance, do not forget that God’s house comes first.

I don’t believe we ever really forgot that.  The past several years have been a desert time, physically, financially and emotionally… but never spiritually.  Through all the loss we have encountered, I have clung fast to the knowledge that we trust in God ALMIGHTY.  Why have we been incomeless for so long, people ask, why the God of all creation could just ‘give us a job’?  I don’t know. 

What I do know, is that He promised not to leave me or forsake me. (Deut 31:8).

I know His plans for me are for good and not for evil; to give me a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11). I’m aware that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) and His riches will supply my every need. (Philippians 4:19). And more than anything, I know that His grace is sufficient for me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

This year my goal is to “Grow up in Christ by putting down roots”.  In other words, get serious about my relationship with God and share what He his showing me with others, No.Holds.Barred.  Not to worry about what others ‘think of me’ when I share what God is doing in my life.  Not to hide my light under a bushel.  Not to worry about ‘outshining’ another.  No.  This is my time to shine.  It’s your time to shine, too.  If we all take up the challenge to…

“Let our light shine before men so they will see
our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

…we can push back the darkness which is closing in on our communities.

Individually we shine.

Together we are BRILLIANT!