Good morning, friends! Welcome back to A Word from the Vine. I’m Pastor Loren Christensen from Danish Countryside Chapel, and I’m grateful to have you with me today. In our previous episodes, we discussed the importance of being in God’s presence and walking in obedience. Today, we’ll focus on treasuring God’s work in our lives.
Let’s read from Luke 2:51-52:
And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
These verses reveal a profound moment of reflection and faith. Mary treasured all these things in her heart. Even though she didn’t fully understand what God was doing, she chose to trust Him.
We can all relate to Mary’s experience. Life often presents us with situations that are confusing and challenging. We face trials that leave us questioning, “Why, God? Why is this happening?” Yet, like Mary, we are called to treasure what God is doing, even when we don’t fully understand His plans.
Mary’s response is a beautiful example of faith in action. She didn’t demand immediate answers or clarity. Instead, she held onto the moments and pondered them in her heart, trusting that God’s purposes would unfold in His perfect timing. This act of treasuring is not passive; it’s an active, intentional choice to hold onto God’s promises and His work in our lives.
Consider the story of a man I’ll call John in one of my former congregations in South Dakota who faced a significant career setback. John had worked tirelessly for years at his job, hoping for a promotion that seemed just within reach. However, when the time came, the promotion was given to someone else. This unexpected disappointment left John feeling disheartened and questioning his worth and future.
Instead of turning away from God, John chose to lean into his faith. He began to spend more time in prayer, seeking God’s guidance and comfort. He also joined a small group at church, where he found support and encouragement from fellow believers. John decided to keep a journal, documenting his prayers, his hopes, and the small ways he saw God working in his life.
Over time, John began to see how God was using this setback to redirect his path. He noticed new opportunities opening up that he hadn’t considered before. His relationship with God grew stronger as he trusted in God’s plan, even when it didn’t align with his own expectations. Eventually, John found a new job that not only matched his skills and passions but also provided a better work-life balance.
Looking back, John realized that God had been with him every step of the way, guiding him towards a future that was better than he had imagined. His story became a powerful testimony of trusting in God’s timing and finding peace in His presence, even in the midst of disappointment.
Friends, treasuring God’s work means holding onto His promises, even when life doesn’t make sense. It means trusting that He is at work, even in the midst of our trials. It’s about finding peace in the knowledge that God’s plans are greater than our understanding.
So, how do we treasure God’s work in our own lives? We can start by keeping a record of His faithfulness—whether through journaling, sharing testimonies, or simply taking time to reflect on His goodness. We can choose to focus on His promises rather than our problems, and trust that He is weaving all things together for our good.
Thank you for joining me today on A Word from the Vine. I look forward to continuing this journey with you next time. Until then, may you find peace and assurance in treasuring God’s work in your life.
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