2024 Update: Stewardship & Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

I did not realize that six months have passed since I updated this blog.

In the last six months, I took on some new commitments, completed major renovations on our home, and hosted my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party, Thanksgiving, Christmas and a whole lot of life in between. I can honestly say this was the most productive season of my life, the Lord continually reminded me of priorities and the importance of rest. He showed me gifts and talents I thought were gone and showered His provision and faithfulness through our renovation to make our home a more orderly space.

Our renovation was not an attempt to make our house prettier, although that was an added benefit, but rather after 16 years of living here we must maintain our home so it doesn't fall apart. I heard an interesting comment on one of the home renovation shows we watched to get inspiration. Someone was remodeling a home in England that was 500 years old and they explained that they were just the current caretakers of this space today in 2024. I loved this concept that seems so foreign to many Americans because a lot of our country is so brand new.

In a brief bit of research, I found that there are Pueblo Dwellings in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah from 700s BC. But other than that, our newest building is from the 1600s, ironically also from New Mexico. However, we don't have ruins from Ancient Greece or Rome, and we don't have any medieval castles to peruse. While we are not surrounded by antiquity, this principle of stewardship is not an old thing for those of us who live for the Kingdom of God.

In the last six months, I endeavored to be faithful to the Kingdom of God, to my husband, to my children, to my home, and to my community to steward these blessings.

In the last six months, I spent a considerable amount of time studying 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus learning what it means to be faithful, and having God's Word establish my priorities and instruct me on behavior.

Today like many days I thought of you.

As always, I have so much to share, but struggle to find the time. My expectations for what is humanly possible is often out of alignment, so I want to encourage you with a story about Moses from the book of Exodus, chapters 1-4 that encouraged me when I was facing impossible odds and struggling to carry out an assignment from the Lord.

Moses is considered one of the greatest leaders of all time and like many of us he struggled with his identity, he was insecure, he tried doing things in his own strength, and he did not think he was capable of accomplishing what God called him to do.

In Exodus 4 we see that Moses is appointed by God to free the Israelites from captivity in Egypt, but is apprehensive to return to Israel for fear they "...wouldn't believe him or listen to him." (Exodus 4:1). God begins to teach him to rely not on his ability, but on God's to do signs and wonders. Moses must still be in disbelief that he is capable for the calling because he protests, "Please Lord, I have never been eloquent..I am slow of speech and slow of the tongue." (Exodus 4:10 NASB) God responds, "Who has made man's mouth? ... Is it not I, the Lord?" Now then, GO, and I even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what to say." (Exodus 4:11-12) As a reader of this text, or at least from my perspective I am practically screaming at Moses, "What are you waiting for man? The God of the Universe has got your back. Go, go...GO!!!"

But Moses responds in a way humans often do, somewhat confused. It is almost as if he is saying, "God, are you really talking to me?" He responds and says, "Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will."(Exodus 4:13 NASB)

Did he forget the burning bush? Did he forget God turned his staff into a serpent as a sign for Israel and Pharaoh to see God's power?

There are so many times in life when I rely on my own strength, my own wisdom, my own knowledge, especially in times when the Lord has given me an assignment I did not choose.

We may be looking at the pain, disappointment, struggle, or impossibility of our situation, but God sees the big picture. He sees how it will all turn out when we make it to the "promised land". He asks us to trust Him, to have faith, to lean on His strength and ability.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

There may be an assignment you know the Lord called you to, but you're "kicking against the goads". Instead of resisting or saying no to the things God has for you;

Say YES to the assignment. Say YES to His Kingdom. Say YES to His glory. Just as Jesus prayed in Luke 22:42, "Not my will, but yours be done."

and in the Lord's Prayer in Luke 11:2 and Matthew 6:10 (NASB), "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Christ showed us so much from His obedience and trust in His Father, God, and as believers, we are to imitate Christ's obedience and trust. I encourage you to trust God in your circumstances. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28