Recently, I have been reminded of a very basic aspect of “walking with the Lord” in this earth. Years ago, I was working at a health food store, and this particular store contained over 2500 vitamins! Having been hired directly from my cash register at Fool Lion I was thrilled to be working as a full-time employee. It was yet another stepping stone whereby the Holy Spirit was (trying) to teach me the ways of the Lord for my life.
The store had to be kept clean and the shelves had to continually be wiped. As I was doing my job that day (and of course, believing I had a call of God upon my life this was a menial task to me, at that time), the Holy Spirit (and who else could it have been?) spoke to my heart and said, “If Jesus were sitting back in the office actually managing this store would you be wiping around those bottles stacked on those shelves?” I thought, ‘Of course, I wouldn’t!’ Then, it occurred to my heart (and mind) that if Jesus really were sitting in the back office, and I had to answer to him for the job I had done, I would be taking ALL of the vitamin bottles off the shelf, wiping them down (so they sparkled) and then replacing them in neat little rows so straight that they would appear as if a ruler had been used to do it (and that is what I did). “The quarter turn shift” is what I call the process that the Holy Spirit has used (on me) for years to accomplish the character changes HE wants to see through me. My thinking had to be adjusted in order that I would appreciate the job I had just been given and the mere fact that He really is watching me.
If we profess Christ as Lord, then we really do owe Him not only our allegiance, but we owe Him our best. When we walk into a store, a room, a church building, we need to let others experience the fact that Jesus has been there and is working on the inside of us. Do something: straighten the books, the chairs, fluff the pillows, or wash the dishes without being asked. Enter and leave a room in better shape than when you first arrived. Let others KNOW that Jesus has been there. It is one massive way we show Him to the world and our sphere of influence. It isn’t just about preaching or teaching it is the most basic of attributes of Him: Servant hood.
Do everything “as unto the LORD” and see if others do not start noticing you differently. Don’t just SPEAK about Jesus DO Jesus. And if you do not think Jesus would stoop to do anything so menial, and then remember Him washing the disciples’ feet. Humble yourself before His mighty hand and see if others do not start to notice you differently. And don’t worry about what everyone else is doing; you do what you are being told. We don’t get to heaven “two by two.” If you really want success in your earthly life, then you do everything as unto the Lord and see if changes do not start to begin.
Recently, I have been reminded of a very basic aspect of “walking with the Lord” in this earth. Years ago, I was working at a health food store, and this particular store contained over 2500 vitamins! Having been hired directly from my cash register at Fool Lion I was thrilled to be working as a full-time employee. It was yet another stepping stone whereby the Holy Spirit was (trying) to teach me the ways of the Lord for my life.
The store had to be kept clean and the shelves had to continually be wiped. As I was doing my job that day (and of course, believing I had a call of God upon my life this was a menial task to me, at that time), the Holy Spirit (and who else could it have been?) spoke to my heart and said, “If Jesus were sitting back in the office actually managing this store would you be wiping around those bottles stacked on those shelves?” I thought, ‘Of course, I wouldn’t!’ Then, it occurred to my heart (and mind) that if Jesus really were sitting in the back office, and I had to answer to him for the job I had done, I would be taking ALL of the vitamin bottles off the shelf, wiping them down (so they sparkled) and then replacing them in neat little rows so straight that they would appear as if a ruler had been used to do it (and that is what I did). “The quarter turn shift” is what I call the process that the Holy Spirit has used (on me) for years to accomplish the character changes HE wants to see through me. My thinking had to be adjusted in order that I would appreciate the job I had just been given and the mere fact that He really is watching me.
If we profess Christ as Lord, then we really do owe Him not only our allegiance, but we owe Him our best. When we walk into a store, a room, a church building, we need to let others experience the fact that Jesus has been there and is working on the inside of us. Do something: straighten the books, the chairs, fluff the pillows, or wash the dishes without being asked. Enter and leave a room in better shape than when you first arrived. Let others KNOW that Jesus has been there. It is one massive way we show Him to the world and our sphere of influence. It isn’t just about preaching or teaching it is the most basic of attributes of Him: Servant hood.
Do everything “as unto the LORD” and see if others do not start noticing you differently. Don’t just SPEAK about Jesus DO Jesus. And if you do not think Jesus would stoop to do anything so menial, and then remember Him washing the disciples’ feet. Humble yourself before His mighty hand and see if others do not start to notice you differently. And don’t worry about what everyone else is doing; you do what you are being told. We don’t get to heaven “two by two.” If you really want success in your earthly life, then you do everything as unto the Lord and see if changes do not start to begin.
Today my daughter (Dara) called me on the phone and stated, “Mom, Joey (her husband) and I are at Walmart and they have men’s shoes for five-dollars a pair and we are buying them for those who need them. “ My first thought was, ‘Christmas was just over and why are you buying anything right now?’ Then, just as that thought had so quickly popped into my mind the very next moment I thought, ‘this is none of your business!’ She continued, “We are putting out a challenge on our Facebook page for anyone who wants to step up and help. Will you share this on your page?”
I sat back and pondered (for a while) what they had just done. Then, I began to think about legacy. I have always wanted to leave something good (on earth) that spoke to others what God has done, and I mean truly done, through my life. When I was finally at my eternal work I wanted something tangible (left behind) so that others might look and say, “Wow, God really turned Molly’s life upside down and inside out. She really turned her mess into a living testimony that God was real.” Then, I knew almost immediately, as if the truth had been stirring down inside of me for a long while, that my legacy is my daughter, her actions, her ability to love, to give, to help, and to be so generous in her heart and wallet and that God shines forth brightly.
On the other side of the coin, I read tonight that a man drove across a bridge, stopped and threw his five-year old daughter over the edge. He is in jail without bond. His statement to the judge was that he did not want an attorney. He would let God judge him. I hung my head and shook it back and forth and thought, ‘There can be so much good in this world and so much evil all at once. Why? Oh, why, are these heinous acts of crime allowed?’
I am forgiven for my sins because I have repented for them (over and over with much weeping) and have had my heart cut almost in two because of the blindness and darkness that reigned in my soul. Thank God I turned to Jesus Christ. And my prayer, this evening as I write this, is that that little innocent girl is in the arms of a loving Father. Secondly, that this man repents and turns to the LORD for his soul. Whether or not he will is in the Father’s hands. I thank God I am not the judge and I thank God that I fell into the hands of a merciful Savior.
Much love to you and your families this weekend,
Molly
John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
