All this week I will be writing and sending messages from southern Arizona – the town of Sells in the heart of the Tohono O’Odham Indian reservation. I am helping lead a group of twenty-eight 7th to 12th grade kids from our church. We will be splitting into smaller groups and traveling each day to various villages on the reservation to do a children’s Bible camp in the morning and a sports camp in the afternoon. I pray that the sharing of some of my experiences will be a blessing.
Today (Sunday) was mostly involved with preparation for the week. Preparation involved things like traveling to the villages and inviting kids to the activities, and meeting parents so they are comfortable with allowing their kids to attend. But probably a more important part of the preparation was in preparing our hearts for the week – for what God will do in the villages and what He will do in our own lives. Please pray for our young people and my ability to lead.
This morning, in my own preparation time, I was reminded of the need to seek God each and every moment – even when I’m not sure of the destination. One of the key points of my study was, “The fully faithful relinquish the privilege of expecting answers.” The emphasis of our walk ought to be on the moment by moment love of God and praising Him with each step rather than requiring God to reveal the entire path of our journey. This was exactly what I needed to receive today!
I have a terrible tendency to want to know God’s long term plan – the specifics for my life. I’m ready to follow! But I desperately want to know where I’m going; or rather, where I will be going at some point down the road. Today, in the quiet of the Arizona desert, I was reminded that the only part of God’s plan that I really need to be concerned with is the one which is occurring right now – and that part of God’s plan always seems to be clear.
Colossians 3:2-3
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
My life is now hidden with Christ in God. Jesus surely knows where we are going…and that ought to be good enough. I will trust Him to lead, focus on obediently following moment by moment by moment, and praise Him ALL along the way. I’m sure I will forget, but right now His message is clear. And that’s worth a good Praise God!
I look forward with great expectations to what God will do this week. This is my report from the nation of Tohono O’Odham – Day 1.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
