Sometimes I struggle with the thoughts of, “Am I where I am supposed to be? Is this where God wants me? What if I made the wrong choice. Am I wasting my time and resources thus wasting my life?”
Then God shows up really big to remind me that He is the good and ultimate provider. Today I woke up to a $1000 donation from a fellow missionary friend in Africa. We haven’t talked much, but she felt the Lord telling her to send that money my way and so she obeyed. I was speechless.
Last night I was reminded by the Lord that I have the authority to forgive people. How or why in the world was I given this authority? Because I was forgiven. And who am I to be forgiven of my incredible debt and then not forgive others? How could I abuse that gift- the gift to forgive?
The other day my friend Luis bought me lunch. When I thanked him, he said, “Don’t thank me. All the money that I have was given to me by the Lord. So thank Him that today He provided both of us with food to eat together.”
Freely receive, freely give.
Luis also said something else that day that really made me think. He said, “No man moves you in this life.” Not your boss, your parents, your friends, or your enemies. “Only God allows you to be in the places that you are.”
Why does God want me in one place or another? Why is it God who compels us to go in a certain direction in life?
There is a simple answer. For His glory.
He put something in you that other people need. Only you have that. Whether it be money for food, the ability to forgive, your own clothes or bible, or a word of encouragement.
John Piper said in his book Don’t Wast Your Life, “Every good work should be a revelation of the glory of God. What makes the good deed an act of love is not the raw act, but the passion and the sacrifice to make God himself known as glorious… If you don’t point people to God for everlasting joy, you don’t love. You waste your life.”
Everything good given to me was God. Thus, everything I give away should be God and his character. And if I do that, it doesn’t matter where I am at, I am not wasting my life but in fact fulfilling it.
I now just have to trust God in His calling. Even if my flesh thinks of it as foolish. The wisdom of God is higher than mine. His thoughts are above mine. And like a son never questions his father’s provision, neither should I. When I do that, I can freely give all that I have. And like the Israelites entering the Promised Land, I will put my feet in the water having faith that God will make the way as I go. He doesn’t call where He doesn’t lead.
So I leave you with this. Just go. Give. It’s not yours. All is from God and for His glory. And we get to delight in His glory and He gets glory in our delight. With that, no matter where you are or what happens, you cannot waste your life.
I took this photo in Albania while on an evangelism road trip through the Balkans. Now, I am going on another road trip and I am stepping out with faith that God will guide the way and provide. If you want to hear more info on how you call support me, send me your email and we can set up a time to call. Much love to you all.
philip wilson
Our lives are not our own!! This is good. Real good. Miss you Phil!
still always a good reminder for me that he won’t call where he won’t lead. praise God that we get to live our lives out of abundance and not scarcity for our father is limitless in his resources.
The idea of “freely receiving and freely giving” is something that is somewhat controversial to how many think. Thankful for this reminder.
as always the blog is dang good. also let me hop on that call train 😉 proud of you brother
this blog was very timely for me. thanks for always freely receiving and freely giving the lord’s wisdom.
Dude this really encouraged me! Thanks for this
Philip, i knew the first time i heard you speak that you were going deep with God. Everything I’ve read since then has confirmed this first impression. Thanks for sharing your heart and God bless you in this next chapter.
“And we get to delight in His glory and He gets glory in our delight. With that, no matter where you are or what happens, you cannot waste your life.”
freely receive. freely give. for his glory.
so good philip!!