phone tag

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.

Psalm 139:1-4

I love phone technology. I’m not talking about today’s smart phones, but I’m talking about simpler features like caller ID and voice mail. They are great! If someone calls me and either I don’t want to talk to them, don’t recognize the number, or simply don’t have time to talk, I can silence my ringer and send them straight to voice mail and hear what they have to say later. Then, when I call others back, they can do the same to me. I think my longest game of phone tag lasted almost three months…

Despite my love for technology, I am so thankful that with the Lord, there is no phone tag, no voice mail, and no need for caller ID. When we cry out to the Lord, He knows who is calling and in fact He is waiting for us to do just that. I love the praise song, “He Knows My Name.” The chorus goes like this: He knows my name, he knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls and He hears me when I call. God answers every time. There is no three-month wait, no deciding He doesn’t feel like talking to us, no secretary screening calls, and no deciding He doesn’t have the time.

For me, there are times I wish God would let my call roll into His voice mail… especially when I need to confess my sins. And, there are a variety of things that hold us back from calling out to Him. Maybe you’re embarrassed because you haven’t been making the right decisions, or perhaps you haven’t talked to Him in a while, or feel like you only call to Him when you need something, or maybe you just aren’t sure where to start.

Know this: He knows your name. He has searched you inside and out and knows everything about you; nothing you say will surprise Him. And what’s even better is that the Bible tells us there is nothing that can separate us from God’s love. Nothing. So you don’t need to worry that He doesn’t love you anymore and doesn’t want to hear from you. He’s waiting.

my purpose

i often ask myself the question, "why do i get up in the morning?" in answering this question, i am reminded daily that my purpose in to get up, set my heart, mind, and soul before the Lord, ans walk through the day trusting in His grace and yielding to His plan for my life. this is easy to write but not easy to do.

i don't like life when i'm hurt, when people won't do what i think they should do, when people i love make wrong decisions, when i'm denied what i think is best. as i look at that last sentence, it is full of "i's". that is the key to understanding my purpose-it is not my purpose or my life-it is God's purpose and God's life.

i don't want to just "make it" through life trying to grab or manipulate a little peace and happiness as i can. i want the very best that God has to offer while i am here, and i want to offer Him my very best, no matter what my circumstances might be.

i want to stay focused on the things that are eternal; Go, Himself, His Word, and people. i want my abiding to grow deeper and deeper so that as others observe my life, they will give glory to God. i want to have the compassion and boldness of Christ in relating to others. this is the precious fruit of His Spirit, and it is given only as i abide.

i get up in the morning to be conformed to the image of Christ. what will i give in order for God to accomplish His purpose in me? all that i have and all that i am.

"There is nothing quite as exhilarating as getting out of bed in the morning, going back into the world, and knowing why. Enthusiasm is derived from the certainty that for this I was born, and I am doing it! It is thrilling knowledge that I am fulfilling God's intended purpose for me."
Bill Hull