My lone son in law, like my husband, is pursuing a career in medicine. He is beginning his ninth year of postgraduate work with one additional year to go. The training experiences and constant testing are overwhelming at times. I know the load I’ve seen my husband bear in order to attain the degrees and then to maintain the proper certification, all that’s required to serve God by serving others in this way. The light at the end of the proverbial tunnel is only faintly visible and often through bleary eyes. At times you have to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and command your feet to march. There is no turning back. Forward is the only direction that makes sense but periodic self-pep talks are required to stay motivated.
We all need reminding of our why. In order to guard against despondency or misdirection, we reflect regularly on what motivated us in the first place. My daughter repeats a story of her husband’s call to medicine when he was fairly young shared with her by his parents. He wanted to be a doctor to help people and he wanted his brother to want to be one too. I laughed the first time I heard the story but I often think of it when I pray for him because I see firsthand many of the challenges he faces. I have reminded him how unusual it is for someone so young to know with such surety what God created him to do. For all who call Jesus Lord, our every motivation should trace back to Christ.
“Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Ephesians 6:7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.6.7.NLT
“Obey your earthly masters in everything you do.
Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you.
Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
Colossians 3:22-24 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/col.3.24.NLT
I distinctly remember my husband saying many times, “Once I graduate medical school or finish residency or once I make partner, things will ease up.” Meantime I was on the other side of our marriage, having chosen to stay home with our three children, praying he was right. Things did eventually fall into place but it took years, maybe decades, and not because his job, our marriage, our home or our children suddenly became what we thought or hoped or expected. The difference came gradually as we began to realize and acknowledge God’s sovereignty, His Lordship, and His perfect provision. The shift was in our own thoughts and attitudes much more than in our circumstances. Once we began consistently acting on what we believed, God’s providential hand became visible.
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”
2 Peter 1:3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.3.NLT
King Hezekiah of Judah revived temple worship of the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of David. He did not learn reverence for the Lord from his father, Ahaz. From day one, his reign was different. II Chronicles 32:32 begins by saying in summation of his life, “Hezekiah did many things that showed he was faithful to the Lord.”
“Hezekiah was 25 years old when he became king.
He ruled in Jerusalem for 29 years.
His mother’s name was Abijah.
She was the daughter of Zechariah.
Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as King David had done.
In the first month of Hezekiah’s first year as king, he opened the doors of the Lord’s temple.
He repaired them.
He brought the priests and Levites in.
He gathered them together in the open area on the east side of the temple.
He said, “Levites, listen to me!
Set yourselves apart to the Lord.
Set apart the temple of the Lord.
He’s the God of your people who lived long ago.
Remove anything ‘unclean’ from the temple.
Our people weren’t faithful.
They did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord our God.
They deserted him.
They turned their faces away from the place where he lives.
They turned their backs on him.
So the Lord has become angry with Judah and Jerusalem.
He has made them look so bad that everyone is shocked when they see them.
They laugh at them.
You can see it with your own eyes.
So I’m planning to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel.
Then he’ll stop being angry with us.
My sons, don’t fail to obey the Lord.
He has chosen you to stand in front of him and work for him.
He wants you to serve him and burn incense to him.”
All these Levites gathered the other Levites together.
They set themselves apart to the Lord.
Then they went in to purify the Lord’s temple.
That’s what the king had ordered them to do.
They did what the Lord told them to.”
2 Chronicles 29:1-6, 8, 10-11, 15 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/2ch.29.1-15.NIRV
Under Hezekiah, the Passover was celebrated for the first time since David and Solomon were kings and the people began bringing their tithes and offerings to the Lord again so that the priests and Levites could give their full attention to the service of God’s Temple. When even a portion of God’s covenant people responded in obedience, there was more than enough food to feed the families of those who served in the temple and to provide for the poor.
“Those groups included all the little ones, the wives, and the sons and daughters of the whole community.
All of them were listed in their family history.
They were faithful in setting themselves apart to serve the Lord.”
2 Chronicles 31:18 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/2ch.31.18.NIRV
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.
If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!
Try it! Put me to the test!”
Malachi 3:10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mal.3.10.NLT
I’ve been party to many a discussion about whether New Testament believers are required to tithe. I truly believe this is asking the wrong question.
“What do you have that God hasn’t given you?
And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?”
1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.4.7.NLT
“The people were faithful.
They brought in their offerings and a tenth of everything they produced.
They also brought the gifts they had set apart to the Lord.”
2 Chronicles 31:12 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/2ch.31.12.NIRV
Scripture is clear on several points that leave little room for doubt in my mind and no room for stinginess. This is a point on which my husband and I have always agreed. I believe we are under obligation to return a portion of all God has entrusted to us to the Lord as both an act of trust in the provision of God and so His name will be praised. (II Corinthians 9:6-15) At the end of the day, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.””
2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.9.7.NLT
King Hezekiah gave the command and right away, the people began to bring their gifts. They continued from the third month to the seventh month. When the king came to visit the temple, he saw the piles of gifts. When he asked about the great piles, “Azariah the chief priest answered him. He said, “The people have been bringing their gifts to the Lord’s temple. Ever since they began to bring them, we’ve had enough to eat. We have even had plenty to spare. That’s because the Lord has blessed his people. So we have a large amount left over.”
2 Chronicles 31:10 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/2ch.31.10.NIRV
Jesus told a story about a farmer who enjoyed a bumper crop. The farmers quandary reflected his heart’s true desire- ease and prosperity.
“Then Jesus said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed.
Life is not measured by how much you own.”
Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops.
He said to himself, ‘What should I do?
I don’t have room for all my crops.’
Then he said, ‘I know!
I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.
Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.
And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come.
Now take it easy!
Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
But God said to him, ‘You fool!
You will die this very night.
Then who will get everything you worked for?’
Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear.
For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.
Look at the ravens.
They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them.
And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Look at the lilies and how they grow.
They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.
Why do you have so little faith?
And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink.
Don’t worry about such things.
These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
So don’t be afraid, little flock.
For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Sell your possessions and give to those in need.
This will store up treasure for you in heaven!
And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes.
Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
Luke 12:15-34 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.12.15-34.NLT
Our priorities should be different from those without Christ. Jesus is not condemning wealth. His desire is that, recognizing God as owner of all the earth, we fill our place in His Kingdom by living openhandedly. We are His stewards who look to our Master for daily bread while extending God’s generosity to those around us. Regardless of our calling, we serve the same Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, and He is our ultimate motivation.
In a way, I suppose what I’m writing is a record of sorts, a testimony for future generations. Each blog post captures a memory but it is also a testament to God’s faithfulness to me and my family and a glimpse into how He uses clay vessels to shine His Light into darkness. (II Corinthians 4:7) If I point continually back to the gospel and the great commission of Christ, it is for me and for you. We need reminding often that God’s story is bigger than the rut we feel stuck in or the mountain we’re climbing. We need confidence, not in ourselves, but in our Savior who overcame sin and death and lives to intercede for us. (Hebrews 7:25) We need His righteousness, His peace, His grace and mercy continually. May we never forget how much we need Jesus.
“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”
2 Peter 1:2 NLT
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