I know I am writing every day - and it is a bit much to read at any one sitting, let alone every day. For myself, I am surprised that I am doing this in spite of all the other tasks of the day. I believe it is important for me to muse daily, because it sets my thinking before my very eyes and helps me stay focused.
Becoming a Steward happens when you begin to think like a Steward instead of an owner. Thinking runs feelings runs behavior. Change occurs from the inside out and thinking is harder to change than behavior.
When I (speak) publish what I think, it begins to go from my thinking head into my thinking heart. Behavior changes because my thinking changes. For instance 2 Cor. 9: 6-15 are my motivational verses. I know them in my head and think about them a lot. But, when things are not going the way I planned, I revert to my thinking heart which has an evil creed of unbelief still lodged there. It says, "God doesn't show up for me. He isn't going to provide for me. I am on my own to make it happen." This is a lie that I have had to battle all my life.
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he, says the Word. So each day I must renew my mind to the Word of 2 Cor. 9 until it sinks into my heart and I operate from that place. This blog helps set my mind and heart so they are in unity with my spirit and the Word. When my consciousness becomes saturated with 2 Cor. 9, I will have defeated the lie about scarcity. Then, I will become more like the Master I serve and He can move more effectively through me.
To become like Christos is to think like Christos and not like the world. To become a Steward is to think like a steward and not like an owner. Christianity changes us from the inside out. Religion want to change us from the outside in through rules and regulations and rituals. When the Steward has been changed inwardly, the Steward treats all things and people differently - that is with love and freedom.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Test of the Steward
This morning I cannot get away from the subject of tithing. I know that neither Jesus nor his disciples writing in the NT say anything about the commandment of tithing as in the OT. The Christian has been given the one law of love which is the motive for giving generously. However, I find, even now the dependence on money as the answer, as a competing law still operating in me. I know it is showing its ugly face because I become anxious and resentful. I even thought about reducing my tithe so I would have more money to spend on the new Blessing House Project.
For the Steward, tithing is a first step in training in trust. Malachi, the last book of the OT contains these words. 3:6 I, the Lord, do not change....ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me and I will return to you....
But, you ask, "How are we to return?"
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
But you ask, "How do we rob you?"
In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there might be food in my house. Test me in this...and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."
As a steward, I read this with great weeping because I know that in this simple clear directive, the church has had no faith or trust. I know all the arguments for and against....but, I am saying as a steward, this is a simple step in trusting the Master. If you cannot hear this and obey - when it is loud and clear - why do you think that you can hear his loving whisper as He speaks in your spirit about other things.
This is not a rule of salvation, but a good rule of life that stands up to the spirit of mamon, the god of this world, and slaps him in the face and says...the law of money as security and identity no longer operates in my life. It is the ruling passion of the day and all of government, business, and individuals bow to its power. And you can see how effective that is in a fruitful life.
The Steward that will not give up the tithe will hardly give up all else to serve the Master. Do you want to give up time, labor or goods instead of money? You have the choice. But, as for me, it is the money
because it is the mammon spirit that sidesteps the tithe of money in favor of something easier. The sacrificial life doesn't get to chose its altars.
God doesn't need my tithe - He is looking for the one in whom He can show Himself strong. The one who trusts in His love in obedience to His Word is the one He can trust with His Life Plan for the world.
For the Steward, tithing is a first step in training in trust. Malachi, the last book of the OT contains these words. 3:6 I, the Lord, do not change....ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me and I will return to you....
But, you ask, "How are we to return?"
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
But you ask, "How do we rob you?"
In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there might be food in my house. Test me in this...and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."
As a steward, I read this with great weeping because I know that in this simple clear directive, the church has had no faith or trust. I know all the arguments for and against....but, I am saying as a steward, this is a simple step in trusting the Master. If you cannot hear this and obey - when it is loud and clear - why do you think that you can hear his loving whisper as He speaks in your spirit about other things.
This is not a rule of salvation, but a good rule of life that stands up to the spirit of mamon, the god of this world, and slaps him in the face and says...the law of money as security and identity no longer operates in my life. It is the ruling passion of the day and all of government, business, and individuals bow to its power. And you can see how effective that is in a fruitful life.
The Steward that will not give up the tithe will hardly give up all else to serve the Master. Do you want to give up time, labor or goods instead of money? You have the choice. But, as for me, it is the money
because it is the mammon spirit that sidesteps the tithe of money in favor of something easier. The sacrificial life doesn't get to chose its altars.
God doesn't need my tithe - He is looking for the one in whom He can show Himself strong. The one who trusts in His love in obedience to His Word is the one He can trust with His Life Plan for the world.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Lessons to be learned as a Steward
I read this morning that the most spiritual thing I can do each day is "to chose". Silly me, I have been thinking it is waking up each morning and shouting "Fear Not!" This command is given 365 times in the Scriptures - one for every day. Maybe the two go together because the Steward is faced with choices about a number of things that can produce fear.
Can I really trust the promises? Can I truly build a life on the promises and not on what my 5 physical senses report? Is it naive" to take God at His Word? We have been given the freedom to chose since the Garden, but which choice will limit my freedom and which choice gives me freedom? Do not be afraid to chose the Word, claims the Steward, because it will always lead into a life of freedom. Life is so upside down in the kingdom of heaven in which the Steward consciously lives. Die to gain life. Give to receive. Let go to find satisfaction.
Oswald Chambers reports that God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having viz. life with Himself. This is what I have had to do this last week. Give up my agenda, my time table, my perspective and accept that even though it seemed that I was being a responsible steward, I had overstepped my boundaries. I should have known that frustration, confusion, and growing resentment meant I was not operating in "peace". And peace is what the Steward experiences when in line with the Master's will. I was trying to make things happen because I am good at that in my natural self. Unfortunately, the Master is not interested in my natural self, but in my developing spiritual self.
This is what I wrote last night.
I am a strange woman.
alien to the earth
My permanent residence is in the dimension
known as heaven
Yet, I have been located in terra firma for
68 years and assigned to the region of Minnesota.
I am learning to operate from my eternal spirit
given to me by my Father during re-birth.
I am developing the spirit organs of hearing,
sight, speaking with the tongues of my homeland
and responsive to the feelings and touch of holiness.
I am being changed by the Master Holy Spirit
to match the Christos who is YHWH enfleshed.
His glory and character are my inheritance along
with all the blessings found in heaven - even now
while earth bound.
New birth is already accomplished in my spirit in which
is lodged all the powers and authorities of the Master.
The change points are in my soul and body as they
come under the rule of the Word and Spirit.
I am known in heaven and earth as "a Father's Joy"
because I am named Gail. My assignment as such
is Steward of the Blessing House.
Can I really trust the promises? Can I truly build a life on the promises and not on what my 5 physical senses report? Is it naive" to take God at His Word? We have been given the freedom to chose since the Garden, but which choice will limit my freedom and which choice gives me freedom? Do not be afraid to chose the Word, claims the Steward, because it will always lead into a life of freedom. Life is so upside down in the kingdom of heaven in which the Steward consciously lives. Die to gain life. Give to receive. Let go to find satisfaction.
Oswald Chambers reports that God nowhere tells us to give up things for the sake of giving them up. He tells us to give them up for the sake of the only thing worth having viz. life with Himself. This is what I have had to do this last week. Give up my agenda, my time table, my perspective and accept that even though it seemed that I was being a responsible steward, I had overstepped my boundaries. I should have known that frustration, confusion, and growing resentment meant I was not operating in "peace". And peace is what the Steward experiences when in line with the Master's will. I was trying to make things happen because I am good at that in my natural self. Unfortunately, the Master is not interested in my natural self, but in my developing spiritual self.
This is what I wrote last night.
I am a strange woman.
alien to the earth
My permanent residence is in the dimension
known as heaven
Yet, I have been located in terra firma for
68 years and assigned to the region of Minnesota.
I am learning to operate from my eternal spirit
given to me by my Father during re-birth.
I am developing the spirit organs of hearing,
sight, speaking with the tongues of my homeland
and responsive to the feelings and touch of holiness.
I am being changed by the Master Holy Spirit
to match the Christos who is YHWH enfleshed.
His glory and character are my inheritance along
with all the blessings found in heaven - even now
while earth bound.
New birth is already accomplished in my spirit in which
is lodged all the powers and authorities of the Master.
The change points are in my soul and body as they
come under the rule of the Word and Spirit.
I am known in heaven and earth as "a Father's Joy"
because I am named Gail. My assignment as such
is Steward of the Blessing House.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The Steward's Antidote for Discouragment
The Steward is not immune to the slings and arrows of life. This morning I awoke to feeling "stuck". I am no further along in my project to reconstruct the Blessing House on 4 acres than I was months ago. I don't know how to move forward when I am at the mercy of other people's schedules and my own inability to make things happen. I am feeling miserable, frustrated, helpless, overwhelmed, a failure, confused, frightened and abandoned.
These are feelings - not right or wrong...they just are. And I know that feelings follow my thoughts. But, the Steward has the antidote for those lifeless, degenerating feelings that steal energy and joy. The Word of God is my only source of re-establishing hope and interest and excitement for the work assigned - a path blazed out for me from before time. This morning I read Colossions to redirect my thoughts - and therefore, my feelings. The Master reminded me that what is written is written and has true authority over all my own perspective and feelings.
I know the mystery which is, Christ in me, the hope of glory. 1:27
To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy which so powerfully works in me.1:29
I have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that I may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.2:2
As you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted, and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 2:6
In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and I have been given fullness in Christ who is the head over every power and authority. 2:9
I truly do not know how I am going to solve these difficulties. I have hit a wall and cannot move without help. But, my hope is renewed, my vision for the work strengthened, my energy restored so discouragment can be turned to useful work. I am assured that it will be accomplished, the Master knows the situation and with His energy I will persist and persevere with thankfulness. I am not alone or abandoned. These are the prayer thoughts as I begin my prayer (conversation) with the Master this morning.
These are feelings - not right or wrong...they just are. And I know that feelings follow my thoughts. But, the Steward has the antidote for those lifeless, degenerating feelings that steal energy and joy. The Word of God is my only source of re-establishing hope and interest and excitement for the work assigned - a path blazed out for me from before time. This morning I read Colossions to redirect my thoughts - and therefore, my feelings. The Master reminded me that what is written is written and has true authority over all my own perspective and feelings.
I know the mystery which is, Christ in me, the hope of glory. 1:27
To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy which so powerfully works in me.1:29
I have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that I may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.2:2
As you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted, and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 2:6
In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form and I have been given fullness in Christ who is the head over every power and authority. 2:9
I truly do not know how I am going to solve these difficulties. I have hit a wall and cannot move without help. But, my hope is renewed, my vision for the work strengthened, my energy restored so discouragment can be turned to useful work. I am assured that it will be accomplished, the Master knows the situation and with His energy I will persist and persevere with thankfulness. I am not alone or abandoned. These are the prayer thoughts as I begin my prayer (conversation) with the Master this morning.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Steward operates in a strange freedom.
One of the most surprising and yet satisfying experiences in my life as a steward happened this week. My home, called the Blessing House, has been extremely significant in my life, because it was the one thing that I could depend on not changing. I have had the privilege traveling the globe in missions to the Kenya, Tanzania, India and the Philipines plus many of the United States. I could leave knowing I had a place to return that nurtured and cared for my needs because it was a source of joy. Much of my life has been vested in a place that reflects who I am and has been the home-place of my family. It has provided a safe, intact nest as we went through the deaths of two husbands and a son plus many other life changes.
Surprisingly, I am ready to leave this reality. I no longer seem to require living here as a place of security and identity. Over the past year, I have grieved and wondered if I was doing the right thing in building a new place in a different community. Many others have wondered how I could ever leave such a beautiful and blessed setting on Lake Waconia. where all my needs were met and it required absolutely no faith to live here.
This week I showed my home to a family with three children because I need to sell it. No trepidation at all in helping them imagine a life in this place....in fact, there was a joy that arose thinking that a family would find such a wonderful experience waiting for them. This detachment and willingness to move tells me that I have truly become the Steward of all that I possess and not the owner. It is the Master who has decided to move His Blessing House and has prepared me for the work. "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph. 2:10
This encourages me because I took comfort that The Blessing House was one thing I could depend on my whole life as being my place in the earth. But, I have learned that The Lord is my safety place....and if He wants to move the Blessing to a new place, I do not want to be left behind. The Steward's training must include many opportunities of letting go of things and people on which the steward depended on for life, peace and joy and comfort.
As the love deepens for the Master, ties with this world system - a co-dependency of a sort - begin to drop away. A view of the greater reality of the unseen realm begins to take precedent over this physical world so the Steward gets to operate in a new freedom from the pressures so many earthlings face.
Surprisingly, I am ready to leave this reality. I no longer seem to require living here as a place of security and identity. Over the past year, I have grieved and wondered if I was doing the right thing in building a new place in a different community. Many others have wondered how I could ever leave such a beautiful and blessed setting on Lake Waconia. where all my needs were met and it required absolutely no faith to live here.
This week I showed my home to a family with three children because I need to sell it. No trepidation at all in helping them imagine a life in this place....in fact, there was a joy that arose thinking that a family would find such a wonderful experience waiting for them. This detachment and willingness to move tells me that I have truly become the Steward of all that I possess and not the owner. It is the Master who has decided to move His Blessing House and has prepared me for the work. "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph. 2:10
This encourages me because I took comfort that The Blessing House was one thing I could depend on my whole life as being my place in the earth. But, I have learned that The Lord is my safety place....and if He wants to move the Blessing to a new place, I do not want to be left behind. The Steward's training must include many opportunities of letting go of things and people on which the steward depended on for life, peace and joy and comfort.
As the love deepens for the Master, ties with this world system - a co-dependency of a sort - begin to drop away. A view of the greater reality of the unseen realm begins to take precedent over this physical world so the Steward gets to operate in a new freedom from the pressures so many earthlings face.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Note to those who are reading this blog....
I have learned through the emails and conversations that many more are reading this than have signed on because of the complexities. It seems that one must have a gmail, yahoo or twitter service. Even then, Fred Hawkins reported that it was harder to post a comment than to break into Fort Knox - so that is why there are no comments. I don't know what to do about that as yet, but am looking into it.
In the meantime, I trust that there are readers who are resonating with this life of a steward and so I will continue to write into the great unknown because it is a good experience for me. It is a chance to see what I am thinking about. At times, I don't even know until I write it down that this is how I perceive life. Blogging is a new experience and I am enjoying the process immensely. Gail
In the meantime, I trust that there are readers who are resonating with this life of a steward and so I will continue to write into the great unknown because it is a good experience for me. It is a chance to see what I am thinking about. At times, I don't even know until I write it down that this is how I perceive life. Blogging is a new experience and I am enjoying the process immensely. Gail
The Steward Knows The Master
The life of the Steward is a lifestyle that is wholly dependent on knowledge of the Master. Most humans are more concerned about knowing themselves, than knowing whom they serve. That is because most of us are focused on ourselves and our welfare in the earth - even for an altruistic purpose of serving our loved ones, our country or even the church. These are all powerful motivations for doing what we do - even for ourselves.
The Steward, however, is focused on the One served. Our enemy really doesn't care whom we chose to serve during our lifetime as long as we do not serve the Mighty One. If our mind is occupied with earthly service, however, we serve the one who wants to keep us deceived as to the ultimate end of things. "Chose this day whom you will serve" challenged Joshua. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
I believe that many Christians have responded with a "yes" and then spend their life in service to the church, good works and worthy projects without ever spending time getting to know the One whom they serve. That can get messy when our service is ignored, overlooked, dismissed, and not appreciated....or when it produces only discouragement, false pride, anger and control. I know that kind of service.
I am spending a lot of time slowly going through the book of Mark with a closer look at who Jesus really is. I watch Him work, read what He says and ponder on what kind of person God would make. This is the Master whom I serve and bring my questions to. Today, was the Transfiguration (Mark 9) - the moment when Jesus metamorphed from His human flesh into His spiritual self. The Greek words say that the inmost being of the Son of God was like dazzling white energy not known in the earth. "Stilbe" is the word that means it was a shining that was active - a glory that was an inherent possession within the clay vessel. He held a heavenly conference with Elijah and Moses and Father God was there in the form of a cloud - the shekinah glory that followed the Israelites in a cloud. ( The Father seems to expose Himself to the world always in cloud and voice. Psalm 18 convinces me He was at the cross in the dark clouds that hovered over His son.) My heart starts pumping every time I realize that the earthly dimension gets pushed aside whenever the unseen spiritual dimension of heaven breaks through.... operating right here even though we cannot see it. That changes me as I go through my daily routine.
When the Steward grasps the truth about whom He serves....it changes the day because the Steward is highly aware that the Master is right on every count, His Word is unimpeachable, and obedience to what is written is not up for argument.
I had a lot of questions for the Master this morning concerning details of my day. Because He gave me a glimpse of Himself and the nature of the One I serve, my questions are resolved. As I go through my day, they will be answered as encountered, prompted by His Holy Spirit. I rest - not in having my questions answered, but in trusting the One I serve.
The Steward, however, is focused on the One served. Our enemy really doesn't care whom we chose to serve during our lifetime as long as we do not serve the Mighty One. If our mind is occupied with earthly service, however, we serve the one who wants to keep us deceived as to the ultimate end of things. "Chose this day whom you will serve" challenged Joshua. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
I believe that many Christians have responded with a "yes" and then spend their life in service to the church, good works and worthy projects without ever spending time getting to know the One whom they serve. That can get messy when our service is ignored, overlooked, dismissed, and not appreciated....or when it produces only discouragement, false pride, anger and control. I know that kind of service.
I am spending a lot of time slowly going through the book of Mark with a closer look at who Jesus really is. I watch Him work, read what He says and ponder on what kind of person God would make. This is the Master whom I serve and bring my questions to. Today, was the Transfiguration (Mark 9) - the moment when Jesus metamorphed from His human flesh into His spiritual self. The Greek words say that the inmost being of the Son of God was like dazzling white energy not known in the earth. "Stilbe" is the word that means it was a shining that was active - a glory that was an inherent possession within the clay vessel. He held a heavenly conference with Elijah and Moses and Father God was there in the form of a cloud - the shekinah glory that followed the Israelites in a cloud. ( The Father seems to expose Himself to the world always in cloud and voice. Psalm 18 convinces me He was at the cross in the dark clouds that hovered over His son.) My heart starts pumping every time I realize that the earthly dimension gets pushed aside whenever the unseen spiritual dimension of heaven breaks through.... operating right here even though we cannot see it. That changes me as I go through my daily routine.
When the Steward grasps the truth about whom He serves....it changes the day because the Steward is highly aware that the Master is right on every count, His Word is unimpeachable, and obedience to what is written is not up for argument.
I had a lot of questions for the Master this morning concerning details of my day. Because He gave me a glimpse of Himself and the nature of the One I serve, my questions are resolved. As I go through my day, they will be answered as encountered, prompted by His Holy Spirit. I rest - not in having my questions answered, but in trusting the One I serve.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The Training of the Heart
When I was married, I didn't have a sense of ownership of home and land because my husband was the one who earned the money to purchase whatever we needed. But, I did have a sense of stewardship over whatever was assigned as wife and mother. I, also had a sense of stewardship over my own person in terms of self discipline, self education, and all the improvements of my spiritual life. Perhaps, that is why it was easy to give my land and home back into the hands of the Lord after I became a widow.
"A wise woman builds her house" Prov. 14:1. The home, church and community were the focus of my 28 years of marriage as I was steward over my household to create a place of love and creativity, of hospitality and friendships. Many times I grieved that I was not able to work outside this domain....but, I see now that the work chosen for me was the training needed to be the steward of the Blessing House. The Lord taught me that my home was the "house of the Lord" and I was the doorkeeper. It was at that point that I became content to work within my boundaries which gave me lots of opportunity to read and study the Word in depth. He was preparing me for a whole new world in which nothing would ever be the same again. When Bob died, I was astonished at the new life coming at me.
During those years, I learned to trust the Word and not lean to my own understanding as I determined to align my life with what the Word said. "Whosoever hearkens unto me shall dwell safely and be quiet from the fear of evil" Prov. 1:33 I believe that the training of a steward will always include living under authority, living within the set boundaries, and living with unfulfilled dreams...as was said of Jesus in Hebrews 5:7-9 that he learned obedience with tears.
When the trainee is ready, those unfulfilled dreams can now become reality because the Lord can now trust the Steward with greater opportunities. Becoming a Steward is a lifetime of training in the ways and principles of the Lord that must be experienced and lodged in the heart. One can read and retain in the thinking mind, but the heart of the Steward must be trained through experience.
"A wise woman builds her house" Prov. 14:1. The home, church and community were the focus of my 28 years of marriage as I was steward over my household to create a place of love and creativity, of hospitality and friendships. Many times I grieved that I was not able to work outside this domain....but, I see now that the work chosen for me was the training needed to be the steward of the Blessing House. The Lord taught me that my home was the "house of the Lord" and I was the doorkeeper. It was at that point that I became content to work within my boundaries which gave me lots of opportunity to read and study the Word in depth. He was preparing me for a whole new world in which nothing would ever be the same again. When Bob died, I was astonished at the new life coming at me.
During those years, I learned to trust the Word and not lean to my own understanding as I determined to align my life with what the Word said. "Whosoever hearkens unto me shall dwell safely and be quiet from the fear of evil" Prov. 1:33 I believe that the training of a steward will always include living under authority, living within the set boundaries, and living with unfulfilled dreams...as was said of Jesus in Hebrews 5:7-9 that he learned obedience with tears.
When the trainee is ready, those unfulfilled dreams can now become reality because the Lord can now trust the Steward with greater opportunities. Becoming a Steward is a lifetime of training in the ways and principles of the Lord that must be experienced and lodged in the heart. One can read and retain in the thinking mind, but the heart of the Steward must be trained through experience.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Journal Musing
"To accomplish great things for thee"
A worthy thought...though I deem it foolish after years of striving to do great things and finding them dissolve in my fingers as life took me in different paths. "Great things" "Significant contributions" - words to stir my soul. But, reality is that I am a small, older woman with some experience in the areas of innocence, naivete, rebellion, fear and pride. Thinking myself under rated, overlooked and dismissed, I spent a good amount of time discouraged in the first 50 years of my life. Now that I am 68 and have a healthier perspective, I can acknowledge that although I have no great titles or positions to claim, I can say I "showed up", "followed through", "created new ideas" and participated in leadership in the tiny corner of my world.
My greatest desire is to stay authentic and dependent on the Lord knowing that life is a brief mist. I have no more illusions of grandeur. Fragile and poised on the edge of death at all times is the human being. Yet, we strut about, make pronouncements and stagger at our perceived importance. The Lord laughs at kings, says the Psalmist. How is it that He would pay attention to one small woman. Yet, how I love Him and want to return to Him all He's given to me. That is my joy...to take what I have been given and create a blessing for Him, a small, thanksgiving offering made from the stuff of my life. The Blessing House is just that. It is a blessing turned back to the One who blessed me in the beginning.
A worthy thought...though I deem it foolish after years of striving to do great things and finding them dissolve in my fingers as life took me in different paths. "Great things" "Significant contributions" - words to stir my soul. But, reality is that I am a small, older woman with some experience in the areas of innocence, naivete, rebellion, fear and pride. Thinking myself under rated, overlooked and dismissed, I spent a good amount of time discouraged in the first 50 years of my life. Now that I am 68 and have a healthier perspective, I can acknowledge that although I have no great titles or positions to claim, I can say I "showed up", "followed through", "created new ideas" and participated in leadership in the tiny corner of my world.
My greatest desire is to stay authentic and dependent on the Lord knowing that life is a brief mist. I have no more illusions of grandeur. Fragile and poised on the edge of death at all times is the human being. Yet, we strut about, make pronouncements and stagger at our perceived importance. The Lord laughs at kings, says the Psalmist. How is it that He would pay attention to one small woman. Yet, how I love Him and want to return to Him all He's given to me. That is my joy...to take what I have been given and create a blessing for Him, a small, thanksgiving offering made from the stuff of my life. The Blessing House is just that. It is a blessing turned back to the One who blessed me in the beginning.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Two Thinking Organs of the Steward
The reason I call this Musings about the Inner Life of the Steward is because, one cannot really live as a Steward without changes to an inner belief system located in the heart. We have two thinking organs - one is the brain and one is the heart. Oswald Chambers says "There are whole tracts of stubbornness and ignorance to be revealed by the Holy Spirit, and it can only be done when Jesus gets us alone. " (My Utmost For His Highest Jan 13) These are lodged in the heart. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" says the Proverb
I have learned a lot from all the books that have been written on stewardship. That learning, plus the reason and logic from the evidence in the Scriptures, helped me with a decision process to intentionally set out to be a steward. My thinking brain was full of reasons why it would be good to be a steward and not an owner...and I fully intended to be a steward. Problems began when I had to wait, when I was disappointed, when I felt threatened by loss or ridicule, and the variety of other experiences which knocked on my door. That is when I resorted to the thinking of my heart which had been formed as deeply held beliefs that are subconscious and hidden. We think in memories, cultural backgrounds, pictures, voices and experiences that are like mountain ranges of power. Our good intentions go bust and we return to our old ways of management and ownership.
That is why it is a must for me to sit with the King and His Word every morning. It substantiates and renews my beliefs about the life of the Steward and enables me to stay the course when I really want to take things into my own hands. It comes first to my thinking brain, but is in agreement with new heart beliefs that are still forming and, therefore, I am in unity of mind, heart and spirit. Creativity and energy begins to flow into me as I leave the morning meditation. Waiting is the most difficult inner challenge I have. Trusting that the promises are true and that God is working even when I cannot see it pushes all my buttons.
Two of my life scriptures are Psalm 1 and 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15. When I am confused about how things are developing, I return to this starting place and establish that again in my head and heart. I am slowing going through Mark and reading it in small doses looking to apply what it says to me as the Royal Steward. Today's lesson was Mark 8:31-38. I have been stuck there for a number of days reading it in the amplified, the Dakes, and other versions.
Peter rebuked Jesus for what he said....and then Jesus rebuked Peter, "Get thee behind me Satan. You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." I have rebuked the Lord over my lifetime because I, also, did not like what he said or how things were going. As a Steward of the Lord, I am learning that what is written is written. It will not fail, nor change, nor be a suggestion. Getting my life, thoughts and heart beliefs in line with the unchanging eternal Word is the key to the inner life of the Steward. I no longer rebuke...but, I am slowly understanding that there are still stubborn tracts of beliefs that must be revealed and changed for me to know the freedom of life that Jesus knew.
I have learned a lot from all the books that have been written on stewardship. That learning, plus the reason and logic from the evidence in the Scriptures, helped me with a decision process to intentionally set out to be a steward. My thinking brain was full of reasons why it would be good to be a steward and not an owner...and I fully intended to be a steward. Problems began when I had to wait, when I was disappointed, when I felt threatened by loss or ridicule, and the variety of other experiences which knocked on my door. That is when I resorted to the thinking of my heart which had been formed as deeply held beliefs that are subconscious and hidden. We think in memories, cultural backgrounds, pictures, voices and experiences that are like mountain ranges of power. Our good intentions go bust and we return to our old ways of management and ownership.
That is why it is a must for me to sit with the King and His Word every morning. It substantiates and renews my beliefs about the life of the Steward and enables me to stay the course when I really want to take things into my own hands. It comes first to my thinking brain, but is in agreement with new heart beliefs that are still forming and, therefore, I am in unity of mind, heart and spirit. Creativity and energy begins to flow into me as I leave the morning meditation. Waiting is the most difficult inner challenge I have. Trusting that the promises are true and that God is working even when I cannot see it pushes all my buttons.
Two of my life scriptures are Psalm 1 and 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15. When I am confused about how things are developing, I return to this starting place and establish that again in my head and heart. I am slowing going through Mark and reading it in small doses looking to apply what it says to me as the Royal Steward. Today's lesson was Mark 8:31-38. I have been stuck there for a number of days reading it in the amplified, the Dakes, and other versions.
Peter rebuked Jesus for what he said....and then Jesus rebuked Peter, "Get thee behind me Satan. You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." I have rebuked the Lord over my lifetime because I, also, did not like what he said or how things were going. As a Steward of the Lord, I am learning that what is written is written. It will not fail, nor change, nor be a suggestion. Getting my life, thoughts and heart beliefs in line with the unchanging eternal Word is the key to the inner life of the Steward. I no longer rebuke...but, I am slowly understanding that there are still stubborn tracts of beliefs that must be revealed and changed for me to know the freedom of life that Jesus knew.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Steward's Operating System
It is Tuesday, Jan. 11....and I have been missing in action. Actually, I have been "lost in eternity" as I travelled north to visit my grandson and his mother. Out of routine into a world in which time doesn't count is a regular exercise I try to experience once a week to remind me of what dimension I am from. "Eternal life" is the life force of the Steward which was given by the King when one is born again into His Kingdom. Zoe is the Greek word for a life force that is not available in the earth and only comes with receiving Christ into your life. Bios, physical life, and Psychos, soul life, is part of everyone's life on the planet. But Zoe was cut off from the human being when they rebelled against their creator. There is a human spirit, but it is empty of Zoe until Eternal Life, the Christos, Himself comes into that being. Zoe is always translated in the ancient book as eternal life. John 3:16 for instance and through out John, "Life" is Zoe. Zoe is not life after death (although it is included), but the life force within the Lord God. So, the Steward must learn that he/she is an eternal one who exists in time and space as a representative of the King. She operates on the principles of that kingdom and not the carnal, passing-away, kingdom of this earth. This is how Jesus operated in the earth...on the same Word and of the same Spirit that the Steward has been given.
I practice eternal life every time I visit my grandchildren who care nothing about time and so together we are lost in timelessness as we play, work and talk. Sometimes, the mothers impose time on us with meals, etc.... otherwise we do what we want as long as we want until we want to do something else. I practice it on Fridays if I am able. I take the clock and calendar and use my day in a timeless way, moving from one interest to another without speed or guilt having as much time to enjoy what I am doing as I want.
I must go to the Scriptures every morning to focus on the principles of Zoe. Behavior doesn't follow "thinking of the mind" - its reasoning and logic- but the "thinking of the heart." It is in the heart that beliefs are formed and is the underlying motivator of all we do. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" says the Word. When I spend time in the Word, it reinforces the beliefs by which I live and counters the illusions, lies, and tradition which have been lodged there by experience, the world system, by family, etc. The easiest example is my battle with exercise. I know all about exercise, its benefits, how to do it etc., and every year I set about putting my thinking into action. But sooner or later my belief system (thinking in my heart) over-rides and I let it go, because, basically, I believe I don't need to do it to stay in good health. I have asked God to give me a heart for exercise...so far, I haven't wanted to receive it.
Thinking with the mind can bring about changes for a while....but any threat or disappointment and we will automatically bounce back into our old belief systems. We always have evidence for what we believe. Changing our thinking in our mind is easier than changing our belief system of the heart and can bring about good intentions. But, the heart belief , must be reinvigorated with the truth of the unseen realm of heaven to make life eternal changes. The principles of the Kingdom of God is truly how things work eternally and the Steward must learn to operate in these truths in order to serve the King of Glory. Until the Steward releases all of her/his life into the hands of the Eternal One with heart belief, there will be difficulties in the daily decisions and work of the Steward. This takes time because you are changing your "operating system" from this world to the Eternal World, but what an incredibly victorious and enriching life is Zoe.
Is this making any sense to anyone? Thank you for signing up as "followers". I would love to hear if what I am writing is resonating.
I practice eternal life every time I visit my grandchildren who care nothing about time and so together we are lost in timelessness as we play, work and talk. Sometimes, the mothers impose time on us with meals, etc.... otherwise we do what we want as long as we want until we want to do something else. I practice it on Fridays if I am able. I take the clock and calendar and use my day in a timeless way, moving from one interest to another without speed or guilt having as much time to enjoy what I am doing as I want.
I must go to the Scriptures every morning to focus on the principles of Zoe. Behavior doesn't follow "thinking of the mind" - its reasoning and logic- but the "thinking of the heart." It is in the heart that beliefs are formed and is the underlying motivator of all we do. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" says the Word. When I spend time in the Word, it reinforces the beliefs by which I live and counters the illusions, lies, and tradition which have been lodged there by experience, the world system, by family, etc. The easiest example is my battle with exercise. I know all about exercise, its benefits, how to do it etc., and every year I set about putting my thinking into action. But sooner or later my belief system (thinking in my heart) over-rides and I let it go, because, basically, I believe I don't need to do it to stay in good health. I have asked God to give me a heart for exercise...so far, I haven't wanted to receive it.
Thinking with the mind can bring about changes for a while....but any threat or disappointment and we will automatically bounce back into our old belief systems. We always have evidence for what we believe. Changing our thinking in our mind is easier than changing our belief system of the heart and can bring about good intentions. But, the heart belief , must be reinvigorated with the truth of the unseen realm of heaven to make life eternal changes. The principles of the Kingdom of God is truly how things work eternally and the Steward must learn to operate in these truths in order to serve the King of Glory. Until the Steward releases all of her/his life into the hands of the Eternal One with heart belief, there will be difficulties in the daily decisions and work of the Steward. This takes time because you are changing your "operating system" from this world to the Eternal World, but what an incredibly victorious and enriching life is Zoe.
Is this making any sense to anyone? Thank you for signing up as "followers". I would love to hear if what I am writing is resonating.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Stewardship, the Blessing that Bears the Soul
To me, stewardship is a blessing that bares the soul. I mean by that, one doesn't know what areas are still under old ownership and haven't been fully released to the Master until they are threatened in some way. To the degree I get angry, frustrated and fearful is the degree that I have kept areas for myself What happens to them could possibly destroy me in some way and my soul is bared.
When I have truly become the Steward and not the owner, my soul is not so disturbed by events and people. Stress, anger, and pride arise without my permission because I have taken back ownership which makes me vulnerable to the lies of the enemy. Fear of scarcity, loss, failure, image and condemnation can keep me awake and crush my energy and creativity. The only antidote for me is the Word which re-establishes the Reality in which I live. With Love and Truth, I can now look at the threats objectively, and review/remember all the ways The Master has provided, sheltered and led me so lovingly. By this the enemy of my soul is defeated.
Today, I caught a glimpse of a truth I've not applied before. Mark 8:31 begins with Jesus predicting his death and resurrection with these words, "The Son of Man must suffer may things, must be rejected by all the authorities, must be killed so that he can rise again in 3 days. What caught my attention is the Word, must be rejected, because I have had the fear of rejection - fear of men's opinons of me - all fueled by a co-dependent life for many years. In spite of much approval and admiration by many authorities, I was wounded enough by a few to discount the positive.
This is my new thought. The rejection by the authorities, the suffering and death were all very directive to the resurrection. In other words, rejection had a purpose because it directed the completion of God's plan for His Son. I have always said that the story of my life would be entitled, "How God Kept Me Small". As I rethink that in the light of Mark 8:31, I see how the Lord even used my fear of rejection as directional - channeling my gifts and energies into developing the Blessing House instead of the other big dreams. The "mustness" of Jesus suffering through rejection released His life into the whole of the world, thus completing the Father's plan. So, I believe there was a "must" in my life experiences that was directional and necessary for me to become the Steward of the Blessing House and its ministry.
When I have truly become the Steward and not the owner, my soul is not so disturbed by events and people. Stress, anger, and pride arise without my permission because I have taken back ownership which makes me vulnerable to the lies of the enemy. Fear of scarcity, loss, failure, image and condemnation can keep me awake and crush my energy and creativity. The only antidote for me is the Word which re-establishes the Reality in which I live. With Love and Truth, I can now look at the threats objectively, and review/remember all the ways The Master has provided, sheltered and led me so lovingly. By this the enemy of my soul is defeated.
Today, I caught a glimpse of a truth I've not applied before. Mark 8:31 begins with Jesus predicting his death and resurrection with these words, "The Son of Man must suffer may things, must be rejected by all the authorities, must be killed so that he can rise again in 3 days. What caught my attention is the Word, must be rejected, because I have had the fear of rejection - fear of men's opinons of me - all fueled by a co-dependent life for many years. In spite of much approval and admiration by many authorities, I was wounded enough by a few to discount the positive.
This is my new thought. The rejection by the authorities, the suffering and death were all very directive to the resurrection. In other words, rejection had a purpose because it directed the completion of God's plan for His Son. I have always said that the story of my life would be entitled, "How God Kept Me Small". As I rethink that in the light of Mark 8:31, I see how the Lord even used my fear of rejection as directional - channeling my gifts and energies into developing the Blessing House instead of the other big dreams. The "mustness" of Jesus suffering through rejection released His life into the whole of the world, thus completing the Father's plan. So, I believe there was a "must" in my life experiences that was directional and necessary for me to become the Steward of the Blessing House and its ministry.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Possessing Nothing Brings Freedom
As I sit on the edge of 2011 with the reports of global crisis in weather patterns, 92 countries on the verge of war, financial collapse and uncertainty, warnings about the heavens....I am challenged to celebrate what is right in the world. But, that is what a Steward can do because his Reality is the greater truth that God is still in control and has amazing plans for this world. The Steward can live without fear of loss, because she owns nothing and has placed all that has come to her back into the hands of the Master who is trustworthy.
My friend, Karol E. wrote to me, "Something else for a future musing - because we all will die in the not too distant future, and because there is an estate tax right now, most of what we have will either go to God or the government. Seems like an easy choice."
She is referring to the fact that all that I physically own is going to be poured into the new Blessing House and then given to Waterbrooke Church to continue the ministry when I get too old and cranky - or die...whichever comes first. This couldn't happen except God has taught me how trustworthy He is with all of my life.
A.W Tozer once wrote:
If you are really concerned about spiritual improvement - the gaining of new power, new life, new joy and new personal revival within your heart, you will do well to make certain vows and proceed to keep them. The second of the five vows is NEVER OWN ANYTHING. He continues, "I do not mean by this that you cannot have things. I mean that you ought to get delivered from this sense of possessing them. This sense of possessing is what hinders us. All babies are born with their fists clenched, and it seems to mean, "This is mine!" This is very injurious to the spirit because it brings up anger. If you can get rid of it so that you have no feeling of possessing anything, there will come a great sense of freedom and liberty into your life.
I remember once saving my pennies to purchase a $30 peanut jar from the 1950s. It was my prized possession until it slipped from my hands and shattered in a million splinters as it hit the pavement. I sat on the stoop and wept for a solid hour as though all my dreams had been in that jar. When I finished sweeping up the pieces I made a vow...."I will never ever cry over broken things again!" And to this day, I have not. I have a lot of beautiful things in my home and some have broken when others, besides myself, have held them. With sad eyes they tell me and hold it out with sorrowful words...especially children. And I can receive that broken article without a hint of being upset. It surprises me, even. And tells me that God has done a great work in me and has made it possible for the Blessing House to run without worry for the things in it. It is wonderful to watch the reaction of those stand before me holy and without blame.
Freedom from the ownership of things is the first step of a steward's training. Slowly, it dawns in the life of the Steward that relationships, family, dreams, projects, finances, calendars....all , all, all do not belong to the Royal Steward. Everything exists for the glory of the Master thus bringing joy and freedom from the " pressures of possessing" Every once in a while I will give something away that I take great pleasure in - just to remind myself that it is a joy to give rather than keep.
I must say, it is easier to be released from things, than anything else. It begins though with the physical things because that is what our enemy holds out as the answer to freedom and joy. Chosing to return all that you physically own back into the King's hands - starting with the tithe of money- is a huge step into freedom.
My friend, Karol E. wrote to me, "Something else for a future musing - because we all will die in the not too distant future, and because there is an estate tax right now, most of what we have will either go to God or the government. Seems like an easy choice."
She is referring to the fact that all that I physically own is going to be poured into the new Blessing House and then given to Waterbrooke Church to continue the ministry when I get too old and cranky - or die...whichever comes first. This couldn't happen except God has taught me how trustworthy He is with all of my life.
A.W Tozer once wrote:
If you are really concerned about spiritual improvement - the gaining of new power, new life, new joy and new personal revival within your heart, you will do well to make certain vows and proceed to keep them. The second of the five vows is NEVER OWN ANYTHING. He continues, "I do not mean by this that you cannot have things. I mean that you ought to get delivered from this sense of possessing them. This sense of possessing is what hinders us. All babies are born with their fists clenched, and it seems to mean, "This is mine!" This is very injurious to the spirit because it brings up anger. If you can get rid of it so that you have no feeling of possessing anything, there will come a great sense of freedom and liberty into your life.
I remember once saving my pennies to purchase a $30 peanut jar from the 1950s. It was my prized possession until it slipped from my hands and shattered in a million splinters as it hit the pavement. I sat on the stoop and wept for a solid hour as though all my dreams had been in that jar. When I finished sweeping up the pieces I made a vow...."I will never ever cry over broken things again!" And to this day, I have not. I have a lot of beautiful things in my home and some have broken when others, besides myself, have held them. With sad eyes they tell me and hold it out with sorrowful words...especially children. And I can receive that broken article without a hint of being upset. It surprises me, even. And tells me that God has done a great work in me and has made it possible for the Blessing House to run without worry for the things in it. It is wonderful to watch the reaction of those stand before me holy and without blame.
Freedom from the ownership of things is the first step of a steward's training. Slowly, it dawns in the life of the Steward that relationships, family, dreams, projects, finances, calendars....all , all, all do not belong to the Royal Steward. Everything exists for the glory of the Master thus bringing joy and freedom from the " pressures of possessing" Every once in a while I will give something away that I take great pleasure in - just to remind myself that it is a joy to give rather than keep.
I must say, it is easier to be released from things, than anything else. It begins though with the physical things because that is what our enemy holds out as the answer to freedom and joy. Chosing to return all that you physically own back into the King's hands - starting with the tithe of money- is a huge step into freedom.
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Steward in Training
The life of the Steward is anything but passive because the Steward is in the position of accountability to the King. In the ancient record, God gave Adam and Eve the earth to govern and have authority over - they were in the position of ruling kings over all the Lord had made. When they gave their loyalty to the enemy in obeying his commands, their rulership became distorted as they took up ownership for their own glory. When the King sent the Royal Son to ransom mankind by His blood, those who believed the truth of this record were now back in a governing position in the earth. I believe one of the reasons Christians are left in the earth is to steward the creation until the Lord returns as the Sovereign King.
The Steward is in a ruling position over what has been given as a manager of a household which includes more than material goods. Although, I have to say that training for a Royal Steward begins with material things. The simple task of tithing can start in childhood. It is as hard for a child to give a penny out of a dime, a dime out of a dollar, a dollar out of a ten dollar bill as for an adult to give a $100 out of a $1000....and up until its a $1000 out of ten thousand. The Scriptures report Jesus as saying, "He who is faithful over little, I will make ruler over much." Until one can rule over his money with the tithe, I think it is hard to even begin the life of the steward because there is no trust in the Word about the this idol of security. The great freedom of the Steward is that her only security is in the Master and so can easily let loose of the goods so important to earthlings.
In the household, the Steward must learn to manage her own life according to the Word of the Master. The soul, the body, the time given on earth, the gifts both spiritual and natural, the relationships and covenants, the difficulties and the favors - all are part of the Steward's responsibilities before the Lord. Each aspect of life will need to come under the domain of His Word over and against her own perspective and feelings. "Taking every thought captive" to Christ (the Word ) takes a lifetime of both training and surrender.
The Steward is in a ruling position over what has been given as a manager of a household which includes more than material goods. Although, I have to say that training for a Royal Steward begins with material things. The simple task of tithing can start in childhood. It is as hard for a child to give a penny out of a dime, a dime out of a dollar, a dollar out of a ten dollar bill as for an adult to give a $100 out of a $1000....and up until its a $1000 out of ten thousand. The Scriptures report Jesus as saying, "He who is faithful over little, I will make ruler over much." Until one can rule over his money with the tithe, I think it is hard to even begin the life of the steward because there is no trust in the Word about the this idol of security. The great freedom of the Steward is that her only security is in the Master and so can easily let loose of the goods so important to earthlings.
In the household, the Steward must learn to manage her own life according to the Word of the Master. The soul, the body, the time given on earth, the gifts both spiritual and natural, the relationships and covenants, the difficulties and the favors - all are part of the Steward's responsibilities before the Lord. Each aspect of life will need to come under the domain of His Word over and against her own perspective and feelings. "Taking every thought captive" to Christ (the Word ) takes a lifetime of both training and surrender.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Greatest Exercise of the Steward
Because I have named 2011 the Year of the Steward, my glasses have been refocused. Everything I read seems to have new meaning within its normal context when I view it as training and guidance for the Steward. Today I was in Mark 8 with the story of the feeding of the 4,000 and the discussion afterwards between Jesus and the disciples. This day I learned that I struggle with the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod which is the cry for a sign before I will believe. "Beware of the leaven!" Jesus warned.
He had to remind them that he had fed the 5000 with five loaves and two fish with 12 baskets left over. And then fed the 4000 with 7 loaves and a few fish - plus provided enough for 7 baskets of left overs. But, these baskets were not your normal baskets - they were "spuris" or hampers large enough for a man to stand in. The generosity of God is greater than we can ever use up....the overflow is enough to care for another multitude. Even then, the sign was not enough to allay their fear of scarcity.
"Why reason because you have no bread?" said Jesus. "Do you not perceive? Do you not remember? Is your heart yet hardened?" "How is it you do not yet understand?"
Training for a steward will always focus first on that inner perception of the Master. Perception determines the reality in which I act. The disciples had just seen incredible signs of the provision of the Master and yet perceived in their life, scarcity and want. Can I trust the Master? If I give all the controls over to Him, if I give all that I have into His hands, will I be in want or be cheated, or lack anything? What sign do I require of Him before I am confirmed in my trust?
I recognized again today that I, like the disciples, overlook, dismiss or forget how Jesus has been faithful in provision - and not just faithful, but overly generous so others also may receive from my leftover baskets. I have never wanted for anything and I have learned that the more I give away, the more I am enriched in my life as a steward. Yet, I still wrestle with the divine problem of a human being who insists on more signs.
Holding the mind steady on the Word and promise of the Master, is the greatest exercise of the Steward. And today I was challenged to remember the extravagant provision of the Master through out my life and let it rest in that reality so I might serve without hindrance of fear and doubt. What joy I experienced today in knowing that the Master I serve is Jesus of Nazareth....YHWH. (Jehovah)
He had to remind them that he had fed the 5000 with five loaves and two fish with 12 baskets left over. And then fed the 4000 with 7 loaves and a few fish - plus provided enough for 7 baskets of left overs. But, these baskets were not your normal baskets - they were "spuris" or hampers large enough for a man to stand in. The generosity of God is greater than we can ever use up....the overflow is enough to care for another multitude. Even then, the sign was not enough to allay their fear of scarcity.
"Why reason because you have no bread?" said Jesus. "Do you not perceive? Do you not remember? Is your heart yet hardened?" "How is it you do not yet understand?"
Training for a steward will always focus first on that inner perception of the Master. Perception determines the reality in which I act. The disciples had just seen incredible signs of the provision of the Master and yet perceived in their life, scarcity and want. Can I trust the Master? If I give all the controls over to Him, if I give all that I have into His hands, will I be in want or be cheated, or lack anything? What sign do I require of Him before I am confirmed in my trust?
I recognized again today that I, like the disciples, overlook, dismiss or forget how Jesus has been faithful in provision - and not just faithful, but overly generous so others also may receive from my leftover baskets. I have never wanted for anything and I have learned that the more I give away, the more I am enriched in my life as a steward. Yet, I still wrestle with the divine problem of a human being who insists on more signs.
Holding the mind steady on the Word and promise of the Master, is the greatest exercise of the Steward. And today I was challenged to remember the extravagant provision of the Master through out my life and let it rest in that reality so I might serve without hindrance of fear and doubt. What joy I experienced today in knowing that the Master I serve is Jesus of Nazareth....YHWH. (Jehovah)
The Year of the Steward
The word, steward, is not commonly used today to describe a Christian and yet, I have come to regard it as a high and noble calling of my faith. The English have positions in their governmental structure called Lord Stewards who are held in high rank and honor. JR Tolkeinen used Ruling Stewards in the land until the Sovereign King returned in his books. And I believe that the status of a Steward of the Mighty King has rarely been given its true regard.
My life as a Steward took on meaning in 1993 when I surveyed the home and land left behind to me at my husband's death. As a widow I now, for the first time, was totally in charge of caring for property and my own life direction. I was now responsible for decisions about how I was going to live and take care of the land, home, investments and the business. This was a difficult challenge because for the first year, I still thought I was in charge of Bob's assets - so I was wondering what he would do. It came like a lightening bolt that it all now was mine to do with as I desired without having to refer to his opinion. That shocking reality was a cold plunge into financial decisions and responsibilities for which I was totally unprepared.
My education began with trying to understand what lawyers and accountants were saying. They were speaking a foreign language and asking me to make decisions about which I had no wisdom. All at once I was responsible for being a good steward over all that I now owned and while it was exhilerating ...it was mostly frightening. Because it came to me as a surprise gift - handed to me through my husband's death, it took some time to make sense out of the freedom I now had to use this gift any way I desired.
That is when I surveyed all that I had and wondered how I could now bless my world with what I had been given. One of the major principles of the Bible is that "we are blessed to be a blessing" and I now had something physical in hand to bless my world. So, I set about redesigning the yard, gardens and home into a place of blessing for all who came through the door. In that process ownership became stewardship. One can only steward what one does not own. Little by little all was given back to the Lord who was the owner and I as the steward got to live on a beautiful piece of land overlooking Lake Waconia.
This is what I want to share with others....the adventure and amazing life of a Steward of the Most High God.
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