Deuteronomy 15:10 ESV
I think I find most help in trying to look on all interruptions and hindrances to work that one has planned out for oneself as discipline, trials sent by God to help one against getting selfish over one's work. Then one can feel that perhaps one's true work—one's work for God—consists in doing some trifling haphazard thing that has been thrown into one's day. It is not waste of time, as one is tempted to think, it is the most important part of the work of the day,—the part one can best offer to God. After such a hindrance, do not rush after the planned work; trust that the time to finish it will be given sometime, and keep a quiet heart about it.
Annie Keary
The parting of the Red Sea. Manna from heaven. Raising Lazarus from the dead. Turing water into wine. All miracles. All impressive acts of God. I would like to add one more miracle to this list. One that is perhaps more impressive--God's individualization of His love.
Time and time again, I see how a verse has a direct application to a particular situation I am facing on that very day. Cannot be coincidence. In eternity past, God knew exactly what I would need for today, August 11, 2014. He arranged the order of Mary's book to remind me of His truths I will need for today.
Today's verse and subsequent devotion from Mary Tileson's book were not just happenstance. They were personally tailored for my day today.
Meet the Teacher is this afternoon. School starts tomorrow. Questions will abound today. Interruptions to my planned work will be plentiful.
The verse from Deuteronomy reminds me that if I give to God, He will bless me in all my work. The paragraph from Keary reminds me that those interruptions that will inevitably happen are opportunities to put others before self. It reminds me that today's questions, concerns, and weekend stories are about relationships. And relationships were Jesus' first order.
Jesus was a servant leader. He took the time to heal. He took the time to explain. He took the time to interact. His mission of the salvation of the human race was a bit more important than the opening of a small elementary school for the 2014-2015 school year; however, He was never too busy for the individual.
Each question, each "interruption" is sent from or allowed by God. They are an opportunity to model Jesus' leadership style of focusing on the individual.
*DAILY STRENGTH FOR DAILY NEEDS- August 11, 2014
Mary Wilder Tileston
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