What in the World is This For?

 

...for we must take of them

    to serve the LORD our God,

and we do not know with what

we must serve the LORD

         until we arrive there.

           Exodus 10. 26

(We all have experiences

   that we do not understand,

but that doesn't mean

   that they are random.

We have no idea

  how God is equipping us

  for what is now

        and what is next.

But the mysteries, mundane,

  extraordinary and ordinary,

are training us

               to serve the LORD.

No wasted efforts or moments.

"Nothin' for naught,"

     my grandmother used to say.

There is nothing

     He cannot use powerfully.

And someday we will realize,

     "Oh, that's why"

   that happened at that time,

   in that way,

               for His purposes

       and His glory.

We needed, after all,

  that experience, exercise,

  skill, or even what we saw

      as affliction at that time.

Just because it's hard

  doesn't mean it isn't

  right in the center of His will.)

O LORD,

You multiply Your wonders

through what we don't understand

   and in ways we don't expect.

Help us to serve You today

  even when we don't realize it.

You have a lot more in mind

  than we can ever imagine.

We just need to be faithful

    and trust You into it.

We don't know what we need,

      but suddenly it is there,

not knowing how You are using this,

                       but You are.

On that we can stake our lives.

For Your name's sake,

     even in this very day.