God's providence still surprises...

I've only blogged twice in 2009. Today is August 4th--216 days have passed in 2009, 149 days until 2010--and only 2 posts. Yet, God still provides. Miracles never cease. God is present. 

August is like new years, when you serve in Student Ministry. The summer is filled with missions, special events, low attendance. When August rolls around, it's time to contemplate the previous year and plan for the next. And it's easy to forget your call and your purpose. It's easy to get caught up in all the doing. I guess that's why I was so surprised in my Scripture reading of 2 Chronicles (of all places) to be reminded of call and purpose and instruction and God's compassion. Here are some words from Chapter 30-36...

return to the Lord...submit yourselves to the Lord...the Lord your God is gracious and merciful...at the same time God's hand was upon the people...giving them all one heart...the Lord listened to Hezekiah's prayer and healed the people...he required the people to bring a portion of their goods to the priests and Levites, so they could devote themselves fully to the law of the Lord...spend your time serving the Lord your God and his people...help the families assigned to you...prepare to help those who come...the Lord repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his temple...

God's compassion continues. And the scriptures are a constant source of joy and hope and encouragement. In 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, we find these words:

...you have every Spiritual gift you need...He will keep you strong to the end...he has invited you into partnership with his Son...live in harmony with each other.  Let there be no divisions in the church.  Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose...Has Christ been divided into factions?

Great question. Last week, each person on the church staff was asked to consider his/her time. We were to divide our time into categories allotting an average amount of time spent each week on each task. It was a good exercise--in the sense that it got us considering our priorities and time management skills. But how true are the results? Ministry can't be measured in the same way that accounts can be reconciled. Life with people, life devoted to God, life in partnership with the Son can not be divided into factions. Yet, God's providence continues to surprise. The constant flow of tasks do get completed, but at what cost? Our devotion to the one true God? Divisions in the church? Harmonious living? I'm thankful to be reminded of God's call.