Proverbs 11:25

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered.

I thought about this verse a lot over the past few months. It's been hard to get into the rhythm of working, traveling, long days where I'm usually not home until 11 or midnight because of work and ministry. And it doesn't help that I live 35 minutes from any direction I need to go; which will change once I find a house and move in the coming months. I think about how it's good to be tired with what God gives me, but I also need to rest in the times God gives me. And I need to find nourishment in the sparing hours in the morning when I could get up earlier, and read more, and have a better quiet time rather than being all over the map and getting an extra hour of sleep.

But back to this rhythm idea - I'm finding that I miss out on being refreshed by others. In the minutia of hectic scheduling, it hardly works out to do the things I want to do by way of the things that get put in front of me take up all of said time. However, I still try to make an attempt at blessing others. I still see the virtue in making sure my brothers, my friends, those who will labor for the Kingdom with me long term, are taken care of. And taken care of well. Being tired often lends itself to settling short. Taking the first exit, if you will. Doing just the bare minimum to get by.

My heart is: If I'm already there, I may as well go all the way.

And insert that idea into whatever spectrum of life. It's a good principle to give my best, I think.

That's why I'm carefully deciding which house to buy.

That's why I'm selective of who I let in my heart.

That's why I don't have a problem saying "no" anymore.

I want to carefully count the cost before I build a tower, so that later I'm not in shame and ruin because I took on too much.

There's a lot before me, and I'll spare you the laundry list, but I have to keep perspective here. More than just moving out and moving on, I have to maintain that God can do whatever he pleases, and check always that my heart is inclined to his will, and set myself up for future things.

And last night was wonderful as the first time in a long time I've had a grip of brothers over for drinks, and a most healthy and encouraging discussion - and really strong honesty. I'm greatly refreshed this morning as I write this, considering the many blessings that God has graciously given me, even in just the area of camaraderie.

That verse in Proverbs speaks to one of the pillar themes of my life that I aim to honor God with. Bless others, give because God gave me so much and still does. Stewardship is what makes a man, or breaks a man, and I try to keep that in my heart. I am reminded of this mostly by what Jesus says in Luke 12:

47 And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

It is imperative that in order to be a good steward, a faithful and obedient son, is to FIRST be ready and act according to God's will, and to know how to act/live, and to know the will of the Master.

It's an exciting, open road, and God is close and does refresh me, even when I'm tired.
Soli Deo Gloria