A Restless and restful time …
It is 12:39 a.m. in the morning … I am feeling a bit restless and can’t sleep, so what better way to wind down and calm this active mind than to get some of my thoughts out in writing.
It has been a while since I last blogged (too long) … the 2008 Glory & Peace Tour is over (it actually sort of fizzled out with the cancellation of our last concert of the season in St. Catharines due to a 3rd wave of snow storms that swept southern Ontario) … we have celebrated a very white, wonderful Christmas, I have had a great rest with my family: x-country skiing, building snow forts, going sledding, enjoying many nice meals, playing a new card game in the evenings called “President”, watching some movies, “pure relaxation” at it’s finest.
I must admit, however, that I find it a challenge to relax while on vacation … with no real routine, daily plans or goals … have been feeling rather antsy, uneasy, even a bit irritable at times … my mind, however, has been active, planning the next music project, dreaming about this and that – like putting the finishing touches on the new home studio … looking forward to 2009 with anticipation.
The final “Glory & Peace” Concert of the 2008 season in at SCBC in Toronto. To view more photos by Bruce Richardson visit my facebook page.
2008 has truly been a “banner year” for Flyingbow Music – this “music missionary” ministry God has called me to. The Board and I have truly seen God’s hand of blessing in profound ways. 2009, I think will be equally as exciting and rewarding. Life in ministry with God at the helm is always a “great adventure”. Life as a follower of Jesus is truly filled with awe, wonder and “God sightings” … that is if I stop and listen to His “still small voice” … open my eyes to His profound wonders … and let Him change my heart and continually stir me to action in complete submission to His will and authority in my life.
I was struck this morning in my quiet time by some key moments in the life of Saul that shed light on his character when he was in some trouble (under siege by the Philistines) and impatiently took things into his own hands:
” [Saul] waited seven days, the time set by Samuel … the soldiers were slipping away, right and left. So Saul took charge: Bring me the burnt offering and the Peace offerings! He went ahead and sacrificed the burnt offering “… (1 Sam. 13: 9-10)
When challenged by God (through the prophet Samuel), Saul says to Samuel:
“When I saw I was losing my army, and that you hadn’t come when you said you would, and that Philistines were poised at Micmash, I said, the Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal and I haven’t yet come before God asking for help” (1 Sam. 13: 11-12)
Later in the story, Jonathan (Saul’s valient son) slips out of the camp with his body guard and decides to fight the battle against the Philistines on his own. In the process, he makes this amazing statement:
“There is no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop God from saving when He sets His mind to it” (1 Sam. 14:6)
What a contrast between Saul and Jonathan! The mighty warrior, Saul, depended on his own vast army (he had “conscripted every strong and brave man he laid eyes on” 1 Sam. 14:52), he trusted his own great plans and strategy. He found it hard to wait on God. At the most, he had a shallow “external” relationship with God (through the prophet Samuel who interceded for him) rather than a close personal friendship with God … in the thick of battle (when things looked bleak and soldiers were slipping away from under his command) he had “not yet come before God” and asked “for His help”! He had not put his trust in God, but had moved forward in his own strength and the might of his army. Jonathan, however, had an unwavering, personal trust in God for a miracle.
This was my prayer this morning and the prayer for all of us as we are on the doorstep of 2009 …
“Lord, I rest in you. I commit my plans, dreams and goals to you. You are my strength. You are my army. You are all I need for life and living. I give you my life. I submit to your will and authority in my life today and this coming year. Lead on! Live in and through me. May your purposes prevail!”
I encourage you to pray it too. Until next time … TD