So I'm sitting at my dining room table having lunch before I nap for the rest of the day. Why am I at home and not at work? I now, for the 3rd week in a row, have a swollen lip due to some infection I have. I am on the edge of sanity with all these infections that I keep getting. I asked my doctor if there is anything that I'm doing wrong...and simply put "No, it's not your fault it's a run of bad luck"...argh!!!
A couple of blogs ago I talked about making a decision in my life that was going to set me on a new path. As it turns out my good God is making way for me to have some time off to take care of my health and still keep my job...I am so blessed....
I am so frustrated right now with my health that I feel it really puts a hold on a lot of things that I need to do. My husband has been so loving and has been caring for me while taking care of our girls and just allowing me to rest. I'm sitting with pain shooting from my lip, trying to put some food into my tummy, and it's a beautiful day in the Capital and a great day to hang washing. So many things to do...but all that goes through my mind is that God has saved me from a life-threatening illness and I can't take care of myself...even with my swollen lip (previous two weeks I've had hideous stys that has kept me indoors) I'm thinking more about the things I need to do for my family, my church, my work...it's never ending...
On that note :P....I taught Sunday School to the congregation on Sunday. I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to do so and Praise god that His message was received well. I spoke from 1 Samuel 3 which is commonly known for a young boy being called by God. As I studied through the scripture, the message that was revealed to me was more about the importance of God's message for you and me, and what we would do with that message.
We understand that Samuel was a very special boy in that his mother Hanna had prayed for a child for a long time and God heard her prayers and saw her tears. Hanna made a promise to God that if he blessed her with a son she would dedicate him to God for answering her prayers. Just as Hanna had asked God blessed her with a son, Samuel. Just as Hanna had promised she dedicated Samuel to God who then went to live with Eli as soon as he was weaned. So if you can imagine a young boy at the age of maybe around 5 - 6 living and serving God with the prophet Eli.
My points were about the following:
- You have the Authority to Minister
From the time Samuel was weaned he ministered for the Lord under Eli. He did not know the Word nor come to know about God however because of his obedience to Eli he served still. No matter what stage we are in life at whether we know God or not, we have it built into our beings that we minister to others about God. From the time you accept Jesus as your Saviour or dedicate your life to serve or even declare that you are a believer, you are given the authority to share with others your belief in our Almighty God.
- Are you available?
The Lord called to Samuel 3 times and each time Samuel had answered "Here I am". When we are being called we often answer with "I'm coming"..and then don't move for another 5 mins, or "I'll call them back"...when God calls you ...you move. Samuel got up and ran. I know at the moment when it comes to serving my family, my body moves very slowly but for God and everyone else I'm quick as lightening :). I really need to let my family know that I am available for them and more so for myself!!!
- Be still
When Samuel heard the Lord's voice he was lying down after a long day of serving. Have you ever just laid awake at night? You'd be amazed at the smallest sound you can hear. Going through our day-to-day business there is so much going on that it's difficult to hear even our own voices. Samuel shows us that we need to be still to hear God's voice. Personally, my mind is filled with so many things I need to do that it is difficult to get myself to rest...and as I do begin to wind down..all I think about is...God is giving me the opportunity to rest....why am I not taking it???
- God Uses Others
When Samuel heard a voice calling out to him in the night he thought it was Eli so he ran to him. After a few times Eli realised that it was the Lord calling out to Samuel. He then instructed Samuel that when he heard the voice again to answer "Speak Lord, your servant is listening".
When God has a message that you need to hear He will find other ways of reaching you. He will use others to help you hear His message for you, just as he used Eli to speak to Samuel. We are asked many times by our youth about how one will know when it is God talking to them. I cannot know entirely but I can say that God speaks clearly to you in black and white in His word. I know when God is speaking to me in my situation when it feels right in my heart. I feel at peace with a decision that I am to make. A decision that is guided by God.
- Listen for your message
God had a very important message to share with Samuel about Eli. The kind of message that could destroy Eli and his faith in God if it was received the way it was intended. You will receive a message about your situation from God that will not be one that you want to hear. But your faith in His message and that God knows what is right for you, will help you to be content and find peace.
- What will you do with your message
Eli asked Samuel to share with him what God had told Samuel. Samuel was afraid to but he told Eli everything that God had said. I know and believe through my life experiences that there the truth will set you free. Despite hearing what danger was going to surround Eli's sons he remained faithful that God knew what He was doing. It is difficult for us to swallow bad news that would have such a negative effect on our families but if it is something that will set our paths straight, we rely on faith that God knows what He is doing.
God has a special message that has been waiting to impart to you for some time now. Only you will know and feel in your heart what that message will be. It may be something to rebuild your life or that of another. What will you do with your message? A lot of us would have held onto our fear and not shared the message that Samuel did. Again I emphasise that having faith in believing that God knows what is right for us, that everything will turn out okay.
I'm sitting here with a swollen face and talking to my husband about why my body is so run down and being hit physically. I can see in his eyes that he feels so helpless and that he is doing everything he can to help me feel comfortable. I honestly feel like performing plastic surgery home-job styles on my lip and just cut out the infection!!!...But for now it is pain that I need to endure to get into my thick skull that I need a break!!! I have faith that my break is coming very soon.....
xxxx
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