Searching and Serving
by Pastor Dan
Back at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, I wrote some articles and spoke to men’s groups about some verses in Proverbs. I thought it might be interesting to look at those verses again.
In my lifetime, I do not remember a time when so many people are weary, hurting, and untrusting of others. It is even harder if you are a person who is trying to help and serve others, to maintain some sense of sanity and peace. Even as a believer in Christ, I find myself discouraged and disappointed, and yet there continues an awareness that without Jesus Christ in my life, I would not be able to carry a peace and strength to get through each day much less have hope for tomorrow. To those who are feeling weary while helping and serving others, please be encouraged. I want to say thank you for not quitting when things are difficult.
I still stand amazed at how Jesus entered the lives of others by meeting them right where they were at. The Apostle Paul penned these words to Christians in Philippi: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13-14) He also said to the Church in Corinth: “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” (1 Cor 9:22-23) Paul, though weary and tired, still tried to help those who were hurting.
This brings me to the verses in Proverbs that I want to encourage you in during this time in our lives. “A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out. Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in integrity, how blessed are his sons after him.” Proverbs 20:5-7
God designs us and puts the desire in us to serve others. He puts a plan in our hearts. I remember the day a Pastor came to my place of business. I thought he wanted me to do something for him, but instead, he wanted to talk to me. He began to tell me his story of trying to serve others as a Pastor, lead the Church while running a business and raising a family. His encouragement to me was not for me to simply follow in his footsteps. He went on to say that if God’s plan in my heart was to plant churches and serve others, then I needed to do that. He was a man of understanding to draw out of me the plan that God had put on my heart.
I don’t know today whether you are the person trying to find the plan for your life or whether you are the person that has found that plan out, but I can tell you if you have found that plan, then live it with the best of your God-given ability. If you are trying to discover that plan, seek out men and women of understanding. The statement “if you find something you enjoy doing, you will not work a day in your life” is true. I currently am writing a program for the non-profit I started to help coach and mentor others specifically because of these verses and because of the men and women that have encouraged me over the years.
The next verse talks about how a trustworthy person can help you build and accomplish that purpose in your life. Every person is given a plan for their life. Whether they live it out is up to them. Many run and hide in fear and do not live that plan out. Others never live that plan to its potential because they do not seek help and understanding in it. Others dive into it too hard and too fast and then get weary and give up. What about you?
What I am realizing now is that there is a respect, wisdom, and blessing that can be passed on to the next generation when, in weariness and struggle, you seek God’s plan and wisdom and enjoy the blessing that others have given to you through their care and love for you. One thought that continues to amaze me even today is that even those who have meant to harm me in some way have helped me better understand the plan given to me by God. Through forgiveness, I have been given great understanding about the joy of living and serving others.
Today, may you be encouraged to live your life to its fullest by serving others without giving up.
Blessings to you,
-Pastor Dan
Back at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, I wrote some articles and spoke to men’s groups about some verses in Proverbs. I thought it might be interesting to look at those verses again.
In my lifetime, I do not remember a time when so many people are weary, hurting, and untrusting of others. It is even harder if you are a person who is trying to help and serve others, to maintain some sense of sanity and peace. Even as a believer in Christ, I find myself discouraged and disappointed, and yet there continues an awareness that without Jesus Christ in my life, I would not be able to carry a peace and strength to get through each day much less have hope for tomorrow. To those who are feeling weary while helping and serving others, please be encouraged. I want to say thank you for not quitting when things are difficult.
I still stand amazed at how Jesus entered the lives of others by meeting them right where they were at. The Apostle Paul penned these words to Christians in Philippi: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13-14) He also said to the Church in Corinth: “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.” (1 Cor 9:22-23) Paul, though weary and tired, still tried to help those who were hurting.
This brings me to the verses in Proverbs that I want to encourage you in during this time in our lives. “A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of understanding draws it out. Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in integrity, how blessed are his sons after him.” Proverbs 20:5-7
God designs us and puts the desire in us to serve others. He puts a plan in our hearts. I remember the day a Pastor came to my place of business. I thought he wanted me to do something for him, but instead, he wanted to talk to me. He began to tell me his story of trying to serve others as a Pastor, lead the Church while running a business and raising a family. His encouragement to me was not for me to simply follow in his footsteps. He went on to say that if God’s plan in my heart was to plant churches and serve others, then I needed to do that. He was a man of understanding to draw out of me the plan that God had put on my heart.
I don’t know today whether you are the person trying to find the plan for your life or whether you are the person that has found that plan out, but I can tell you if you have found that plan, then live it with the best of your God-given ability. If you are trying to discover that plan, seek out men and women of understanding. The statement “if you find something you enjoy doing, you will not work a day in your life” is true. I currently am writing a program for the non-profit I started to help coach and mentor others specifically because of these verses and because of the men and women that have encouraged me over the years.
The next verse talks about how a trustworthy person can help you build and accomplish that purpose in your life. Every person is given a plan for their life. Whether they live it out is up to them. Many run and hide in fear and do not live that plan out. Others never live that plan to its potential because they do not seek help and understanding in it. Others dive into it too hard and too fast and then get weary and give up. What about you?
What I am realizing now is that there is a respect, wisdom, and blessing that can be passed on to the next generation when, in weariness and struggle, you seek God’s plan and wisdom and enjoy the blessing that others have given to you through their care and love for you. One thought that continues to amaze me even today is that even those who have meant to harm me in some way have helped me better understand the plan given to me by God. Through forgiveness, I have been given great understanding about the joy of living and serving others.
Today, may you be encouraged to live your life to its fullest by serving others without giving up.
Blessings to you,
-Pastor Dan
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