What Are You Seeking?
Many years ago I read an article in the Discipleship Journal entitled “Lessons I’ve learned” by J. Oswald Sanders who directed Overseas Missionary Fellowship for many years. Having friends in positions of influence, he was about to pull some strings to obtain a position in ministry he really wanted. Then a verse of Scripture came to his mind with tremendous authority and powerful conviction, “Do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not” (Jer. 45:5). Sanders said, I believe that was a real turning point in my service to the Lord.
When Joanne and I answered the call to full-time ministry, we made a commitment to not seek any position of ministry, or let money be a deciding factor. To this day I have not gone where I wasn’t asked to come. I have never charged for counseling, or specified a fee when asked to speak. The Holy Spirit is the only agent I have ever had. The real issue is: What are you seeking? Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). Let me encourage you to consider that as your one and only “New Year’s Resolution.”
Father, where shall I work Today?
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed out a tiny spot,
And said, Tend that for Me.
I answered quickly, Oh no, not that.
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done,
Not that little place for me!
And the word He spoke, it was not stern,
He answered me tenderly,
Ah little one, search that heart of thine,
Art thou working for them or Me?
Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee.
Dr. Neil
For Spanish, see http://www.ficmm.org/blog
