No Applause...

There are times when we will be called to do something great.

We may see it as great. We work hard on it. We have sleepless nights. We ponder over them. We pray. We fast. We put our very best into it.

But there are times when it may not be seen as great. Others may not appreciate what you do.  Many will not even see what you do. Others may not see the hours of work. The lack of sleep. The prayers. The time and effort.

Is it still great?

What if there is no applause?

Christ was considered great until his call became his cross.  He was lied on. Hated. Tortured. Even Killed

(Well, they thought so anyway!) 

But it was great.  Without it, there would not have been a resurrection. We would have been without redemption for sins. Lost. Destined for an eternity separate from Him.

It was great.

So...While you fulfill your call, there may be no applause. There may be no appreciation. Many may not see your greatness.  What if your call becomes your cross?

You may be fighting for your children and they may fight back. They may not value your effort. They may not understand the path that you are trying to keep them on.  But it is Great!

You may be fighting for your marriage. It may not be appreciated or understood. You are in your prayer closet calling on the name of the Lord.  You are fighting for your family and it is great.

What is your call?

Some are called to lead companies. Some are called to clean them. Some to repair. Some to childcare. Some to care for the elderly or the disabled. Some to pray. It could be to lead a great ministry. Or it could be to work within one. Some to write letters of encouragement. Maybe it's to reconcile with an old friend. It could be to forgive someone and make peace.

Whatever it is, it may seem insignificant.

"And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." Matthew 10:42

No applause.

No appreciation.

But it is GREAT!

Don't stop.

Keep going!

"For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:10-12

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16

"Whatever yo do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9


Blessings!

copyright 2015 www.shundriariddick.com . All Rights Reserved

That's what I want to do....Nothing!

Ummm...

I don't want to write today.  I'm exhausted.  Every aspect of my life right now has a responsibility attached to it and somehow everything will fall apart if I don't get everything done!

shhhhh.....

Don't tell anyone I said this but I don't want to do anything!

Have you ever felt that?

Not wanting to engage in anything or anyone. Not even do the thing you love most.

Just wanting to sit.

Just sit.

I don't want to think.

I don't want to plan.

I don't want to solve a problem.

I don't want to read a book.

I don't want to mediate an argument.

I don't want to wash a dish.

I don't want to clean anything.

I don't want to do anything.

NOTHING!

I want to turn off.

I want to sleep.

I want to relax.

I want to eat food that I do not have to cook and on dishes that I do not have to wash.

I want to lay in a bed that I don't have to make in a room that I don't have to clean.

I want to aimlessly surf the Internet and get sucked into a YouTube black hole.

I want to go at least 7 layers deep on Pinterest Boards

I want to watch mindless television and every movie I've seen at least 100 times already.

I want the remote.

I want to sip on a ridiculous espresso drink like "soy triple threat with an extra shot of gooey goodness and topped with double whip cream" and nibble on a piece of something made with white sugar. And I want it for breakfast and lunch.

And I want to do all of this in cotton clothes without buttons or zippers.

It's just one of those days.  It's not a depression. It's not any one's fault. It's not a strike.

It's REST!

I want REST!

Unfortunately we have been deceived into thinking that rest is laziness. It's not being productive with our time. We are being duped into believing that every day should end in the lists being completed and projects being done. We've been told that successful people keep going. Anything less than giving 100% of your efforts and 100% of your time, is considered unfocused and aiming for failure. As a result, we feel guilty for resting.

We are exhausted. We are overwhelmed. We are stressed. We are overworked. We are over planned. We are over committed.

So I have taken it upon myself to give you the following information, It will give you FREEDOM from this foolishness.

It is Written!

Psalm 127:2 "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves."

Yessss....

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"

Won't He Do it!

Mark 6:31 "And he said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.' For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure to even eat."

Yes Sir!

Exodus 33:14 "And he said My presence with go with you and I will give you rest''

I'll take it!

Jeremiah 31:25 "For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish."

Thank you Lord!

Go Ahead and do Nothing!

REST!

The Creator of the Universe said it. So we have to do it.

And the next time someone complains or questions your "Nothing," just quickly remind them that it's in the Bible. You are just being obedient to God's word! :)

And you know that God's Word is true. It's real. And it never fails!

Let the Church say AMEN!



Blessings!


copyright 2015. www.shundriariddick.com   All Rights Reserved.