A different perspective

The other night, I went to church with a lot on my heart and mind. It had been an emotional weekend, and I felt drained and tense with thoughts of the coming days and all I would have to do. During the opening songs of worship, I prayed, "God, if I need to be corrected and challenged, please do that tonight. And if I need to be encouraged that I am doing the right thing, please do that tonight too. You know better than I what I need right now."

After the music, three missionaries were sitting on stools at the front of the room - one who is a full-time servant in Ethiopia, one who had just returned from serving for two months there, and one who is getting ready to go there to serve for six months. As they talked about their experiences, the ministry in Ethiopia, and how God has been preparing each of them, my muscles began to relax and I found myself smiling.

Because in the joy of hearing their stories, it was as if God was saying to me, "It's not about you, my love. It is all about Me, and what I am doing. You only get to see a part of my kingdom work where you are, but I am busy all over the world - I am changing lives and giving hope and filling with love and increasing my kingdom. So tonight, just listen and be reminded of this."

I am so thankful that when I get caught up in my little life and my little problems, God redirects my focus so I can see his bigger plan and purpose.