Chronically Challenged….

Morning!

Raises his cup of coffee

Proverbs 27:18

“Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat of its fruit; so he who waits on his master will be honored.”

Have we considered ourselves stewards of the mysteries of God lately?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been taking stock of the different metaphorical trees and vines I’ve been blessed with—examining how I’ve been tending them.

What I’ve discovered is this:

Transitioning from waiting on the Lord to waiting upon the Lord is an incredible and wondrous journey.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

To be a steward, we must be found faithful in the mysteries of God.  Jesus Himself must judge us as faithful before entrusting us with that stewardship.

But what does faithful mean?

Faithful (Adjective):

• Steadfast in affection or allegiance: Loyal

• Firm in adherence to promises or duty: Conscientious

• Given with strong assurance: Binding

• True to the facts, to a standard, or to an original

• (Obsolete): Full of faith

To be faithful is not just to believe, but to be unwavering in commitment, to be anchored in truth, and to walk in obedience.  We are not just hearers of the Word, but doers of the work.

1 Timothy 4:13

“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

We are called to abide in the Word of God.  If we abide in the Word, then we abide in Jesus.  If we abide in Jesus, then we keep His commandments.  And by this, we know we know Him.

God rewards each of us according to what we have done, according to our works. Just as Paul spoke as a father in the faith to Timothy, so the Lord uses Paul’s words to speak to us today.

So, I ask:

• What are the fig trees we are tending?

• What is it that we are faithful to?

• What fruit are we eating?

Have We Considered Chronicling?

If we are seeking the mysteries of God, if we believe that reality is shaped by God’s responses to our prayers, then wouldn’t it make sense to keep a record of His works in our lives?

The Old Testament models this practice.

The Bible contains several genres—law, prophecy, poetry, wisdom, epistles—but one of the most powerful genres found in Scripture is historical record.

From Genesis to Acts, we see God’s works recorded, revealing His hand in the rise and fall of nations, in the lives of individuals, in the movement of His Spirit.

What mysteries of God have we witnessed?

What stories are we living that might one day be testimonies for future generations?  And by future generations I mean our sons, daughters and nieces and nephews.

Psalm 119:17-24

“Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word.  Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.  My soul breaks with longing for Your judgments at all times.  You rebuke the proud—the cursed, who stray from Your commandments.  Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.  Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes.  Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.”