Why Do We Do It?

When I was growing up, I loved adventure. I guess, being the youngest of two girls, I was a Daddy's girl and I was outside most of the time with him. He was always busy on the farm or tractors and he let me tag along. I was his 'Gopher'....go for this and go for that! But, we laughed a lot and I learned a lot, including the love of being outside. I still rather be outside any day, than inside (except in cold weather)!

This explains why today, I still love adventure. I love traveling to see things, even if it is just a ride down the river. The enjoyment of 'piddling,' as my husband calls it, is a joy to me, if it is outside. When I have inside chores to do, I want to get them completed early in the day, so if the opportunity comes up that takes me out into nature, I am ready. I am always ready to 'go' somewhere and do something. This is probably the reason we felt led to be with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. We were always ready to roll on a moments notice.

Look at your life. What do you enjoy doing? Why do we do what we do? Is it out of habit? Is it out of memories of growing up? Is it the environment where we were raised? Is it something that is learned or is it something that we naturally do?

It probably is a combination of all those things if we really look closely. Because if you think about your actions, probably not all of them are good things. Even Paul said, "For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate. " Romans 7:15. (Holman)

But yet, in another thought, Jesus used the disciples in special ways because of their background and their talents. He used Matthew, who was a tax collector, to write about the episode of paying the taxes in Matthew 17. In the same scripture, he used Peter the fisherman, to get a hook and go catch a fish. In the fish's mouth was a coin to pay the taxes. 

In the same way, God uses our giftedness and talents for His glory. Everything we do and say should be to edify Him. Yes, I know I said 'everything' and I also know that we don't do that. That brings us back to Paul's statement in Romans 7:15, we do not practice what we want to do, but do what we hate, that which more than likely pleases ourselves. 

This is where we can grow, encouraging each other in our gifts and talents and to use them. We not only can grow ourselves when we encourage others, but that helps them to step up and out of their comfort zones to be used. 

This was on my heart this past week, to encourage you, the reader to step out in faith. Listen to the call of God on your life. It may be what you love to do already from the past and growing up as a child. Use whatever gift or talent God gave you and what you have learned. Do not let it go by the wayside, use it for Him. It is never to late in life to start giving back to Him. You can be a blessing to others when you serve in the Name of Jesus. 

We have friends that have just retired from their worldly careers and have stepped out in faith to serve. One friend, Tim, has left his family for the summer to volunteer and serve in Alaska for two months with Samaritan's Purse. Another couple, Glenn and Julia, are volunteering for a month in Alaska, to serve with Operation Heal Our Patriots. All this is in the Name of Jesus, giving Him their time and life this summer for others. When they get to heaven, I pray we can stand in line beside them to hear Jesus say to them, "Well done my good and faithful servants." 

Blessings,
gs