A man’s needs run accordin’ to the country he’s in and the job he has to do.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Tall Stranger)
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.”
–Philippians 4:11 (NLT)
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Have you ever thought about the travels of the early pioneers? Imagine loading up your wagon with all of your worldly possessions and heading out for Texas or Oregon. First, there is the excitement. There may be a little anxiety, but there is excitement about making a move that will change your life. There maybe a little trepidation as well, leaving the known for the unknown.
Then you begin to think of the unknown that the trail may hold. Obstacles, dangers, perhaps even evil, but the trip has already been decided upon and you are loaded up. Remember, most of those that went West did not ride in the wagon, or on horses, but usually traveled by mare’s shank, that is, by foot. And come what may, you continued on to your destination, or died along the way.
Travel has greatly changed since then, but I have been thinking of when my Dad’s side of the family moved from Oklahoma. Dad would have been 14 and they traveled up near Pitkin, Colorado. Grandpa, Grandma, and four kids, my Dad was the oldest. They moved from LaFlore County, packed up all their goods in a late Model T; they probably looked like the Clampetts driving down the road. People sure didn’t have as much back then as they do now.
Well, all that said to say this. Today is moving day. The movers should be here sometime this morning to pack up all our goods. Sure has been an undertaking, and we’re only going over to East Texas region, not across the country. Now, we have done that more than a couple of times, but that was back in our younger days.
So the day is upon us. Here we go on another part of life’s journey. Sure good to know that each time we have traveled the Lord was right there guiding and traveling with us. His hand has always protected us, and He surely won’t stop now.
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I’ve been pondering a portion of Scripture that I’ve read several times, but not necessarily in this light.
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in him.”
–2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (NASB)
Now ponder these thoughts from the passage. First, God is for us! Second, God accepts us! Be glad also, that His acceptance does not depend on our performance, but because of Christ on the cross. Third, God has purpose for us! We need to realize that God really doesn’t need our help, but He allows us to be part of what He is doing.
Back a few years, well, several now, the Assemblies of God’s youth program was called Christ’s Ambassadors. Of course, our more modern and enlightened youth would think that term silly. But there is tremendous truth behind it, for it shows our purpose. An ambassador is a person who represents the government of his country; he speaks the words that his government leader would speak. Therefore, our purpose is to represent God to this evil and fallen world. The Father has given us the privilege of being His ambassador in the world.