More than we need?
This past week, Farmer Bob began to prepare our garden for planting. He hooked the harrow to the tractor and ran over the weeds several times. Weeds aren’t our friends in the garden (nor in our life, but that’s a story for another day.)
There’s lots of preparation for planting a garden. Besides getting the land ready, there’s the need to purchase seeds or plants to set out. The rows must be prepared to receive the new seeds or young plants.
But, there’s something else of vital importance. We have to protect the garden from varmints.
What’s a varmint?
Now, I know that most of us love all of God’s critters, but on a farm, a varmint is something that encroaches into human territory and eats or destroys food, flowers, pets, or property (I’m not speaking of people here, although they are sometimes the culprits).
One of our worst pests on our farm is deer.
Deer are beautiful creatures, but on a farm. They are a menace. It’s tough to work long, long hours planting and caring for a garden or flowers and have everything wiped out (totally eaten) by deer.
I wouldn’t mind so much sharing with them, but they want it all!
They are greedy!
But, as I rant about this, I think…
Well, what about me? Am I any less greedy than deer and other varmints that eat our garden?
You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. Psalm 69:5
The deer forages by instinct–he or she eats what is available. What’s my excuse for wanting more than I need? While I moan and groan about the greed of deer that consume our entire garden, I’m richly blessed with ample food to eat. I have a home, family, a rewarding career, a church family, good health, and much more.
I am blessed.
I’m guessing that you are blessed beyond measure as well–am I right?
But, there are many in the world that do not have enough. What am I doing to share my blessings with them?
As a child of God, I try to share that love with others. We have many missions at church of which I am part. I also have several personal ongoing mission projects.
I never think I’m doing enough. Yet, I often feel overwhelmed with tasks for which I am responsible. I know God is calling me to be a part of carrying out His work on Earth.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:17-18
Part of God’s plan for us is to serve others, even at the cost of denying ourselves. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice–His life for our sins so that we may have eternal life with Him when our tasks on Earth are complete. While we are not expected (for the most part) to give our lives, we are called to sacrifice, to deny ourselves in service to others.
What are your tasks in your walk with Jesus? Can you share your wisdom in a comment as to how we can better serve God’s children? We can learn from each other while prayerfully seeking God’s guidance as to His purpose for us.
What should we give up so that those in need might have enough? What should we sacrifice so that the hungry may have food, the needy have shelter, and those who don’t know Jesus may find Him.
Wishing you blessings, my friends, as you share with others.
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9
Love this post. I am guilty of not being satisfied right where I am. This convicted me in a couple of ways. One, I feel as if I don’t do enough in my service to Him. Two, at times I feel I don’t serve Him 100% in the ministries I am involved in.
So there comes a fine line between overcommitting myself and being obedient to what He would have me do. Discerning His voice can be hard for me. It’s a constant battle for me.
Oh, Piper! I feel like I’m looking in your mirror when I read your comment. Me, too! I think part of our issue may be that we feel so committed to serving that we say, “I’ll do it!” BEFORE we pray about it. Then we’re so busy that we can’t see what’s most important (our relationship with Jesus). I guess we know how Martha felt when she complained to Jesus (but, it’s so hard for me to be a Mary–how about you?) Praying for you!
There are so many needs and so many opportunities to serve, sometimes it’s hard to say “no.” And while it is important to give sacrificially, it is also important we do so to God’s glory by doing those things He has called us to. A wise friend taught me this about service: You’ll be asked to do many good things. Since you won’t be able to do them all, say “yes” to the best things.
Thanks for sharing your own and your friend’s wisdom, Michelle. I agree that we need to be selective in the tasks that we take on so that we can do our best. I guess I’m still struggling with figuring out which are the “best” things. Wishing you blessings, my friend, in your service to others.
Katherine I enjoyed your post. Deer are beautiful, but they can cause a lot of damage. We also need to be of service to those around us.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today, Jann! I’m praying that we’ll be able know those special needs and places where God is calling us to serve.
This metaphor is intriguing—the deer, as you say, are just foraging for food. I wonder how we end up being greedy, how we end up hurting others, even societally (if that’s a word) without realizing it!
Heather, I hadn’t thought the metaphor to that point. You are right! I expect that we are often so caught up in what we believe our needs to be, that we unknowingly cause pain and sadness to family, friends, co-workers, etc. as we seek to fulfill our needs. Another reminder that we really need to self-reflect frequently as to how our actions impact others. And, another cue to pray that we can live by the Fruit or the Spirit.
Just want to say, I knew what “varmints” were before you explained it.
More importantly, I think one of the most important things we can learn is how to gently but firmly say ‘no.’ We can’t really honor God if, like you said, we’re running from one thing to another without time to just BE with Jesus. It’s really easy to say ‘yes,’ much harder to seek God’s wisdom and only commit to what He has for us.
Are you a country girl, too? Saying no is so difficult when we want to serve. Thanks for affirming that it’s okay to to decline a task if we feel God is leading us in another direction. Gentle, yet firm–that’s the way. Thanks for stopping by, Carole!