WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, January 22, 2008

"We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautful attractions in life---those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength." This is a quote from Oswald Chambers.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I sure wish I could just camp awhile on the moutain. These "ordinary" things of life get pretty difficult sometimes and we tend to get weary of the drugery. It is easy to think we are just not getting any where or accomplishing things worth while. But that is not the truth.

It was in the midst of everyday life that Peter, James and John were called by Jesus to be His disciples. It was in the difficult times of draught and need, when a widowed mother, doing the daily chore of fixing a meal, fed a prophet and experienced a miracle.

Jesus lived in physical body and he knew what it was to be weary, to be under the constant demands and expectations of others, to be misunderstood and unappreciated. Perhaps that is the very reason He has promised to give us the strength we need.

The way I have found to change the "normal" and often valley times into something special, is to imagine I am literally doing it for the Lord Himself. Cook dinner for Him, do His washing and ironing, clean His house etc. Is this not what is meant in Colossians 3:23?

I thought about that today as I was driving around doing various errands (short on time as usual). How would I drive if Jesus was literally setting in the passenger seat next to me? Need I tell you, it would not have been as fast as I was going at the moment.

The truth is, nothing in our lives is unimportant or goes unnoticed by our Lord. Great things always come from small ones. Mountains are made of billions of little rocks, beautiful cantatas are made of many small notes. God honoring lives are lived, one normal day at a time. Take heart! Live this day as if the Lord were literally, physically walking right beside you. "I AM WITH YOU alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20 "For He hath said, I will NEVER LEAVE THEE, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5 Who knows, today may very well lead to a mountain top tomorrow.

- Sandy Hastings
January 15, 2008
If you wish to contact me personally, e-mail me at sandy.hastings@gmx.de