About 20 years ago, I chose a Bible verse to found my life upon. I haven’t followed it though. Here it is
“But be ye steadfast, immovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58”
There is a couple at church who have lived this truth. They are in their 50s. He always has something funny to say about the situation at hand. She has a permanent presence of joy on her face. She may not be smiling or have perfect makeup on her face but still beauty is there. There is a gentle fun attitude in her voice and it seems, always, an excitement to complete the task at hand. No one in Sunday school ever comments on these two. I suppose its just taken for granted that that’s the way they are. (I know they have to go through struggles and frustrations.)
I just want to be like her.
I know why the two are like this. They are driven just like my old Bible verse to stay busy in the things of God. They have an attitude to be adaptable too. They stay busy in God’s work. He is a boy scout leader. Coaches his childrens athletics teams. Teaches our Sunday school sometimes. Tells the announcements for the class. They invite people over ever so often on our “Sunday night connections”. She volunteers in the nursery practically every Sunday. Coordinates meals when families have new babies. Organizes nursery cleaning. Makes phone calls for our church and other behind the scenes activities.
I realize you have to build up to this much activity. But I could do more for God with my church. In doing this, I can take my family along. I am too. My husband and I just recently joined the choir. And there are other opportunities to help out at church that I can take advantage of and learn to be flexible for the Lord. Here’s a quote by Oswald Chambers I found in a devotional this morning
“The Bible talks plentifully about joy, but it nowhere talks about a “happy Christian.” Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not. Remember, Jesus Christ had joy, and He prays “that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.””