More food for thought: How to Prepare for Tomorrow

Here is another quote taken from Elisabeth Elliot's book, Secure in the Everlasting Arms that I wanted to share with you. Reading these words brought such encouragement and challenge to me spiritually which was desperately needed!

As we encounter the world in a mission to reflect Christ, discouragement, doubt, fear, and sometimes confusion tend to find it's way somehow into our lives and therefore gives us the distraction in which the world brings that ultimately takes away from the bull's eye of where our eyes needed to be focused, Christ Himself. Elisabeth's Elliot's words caught me in a time of major distraction; focusing on self, other "problems" in life, enticements, frustrations, wants, etc. Her depiction of Christ and His ministry gave aid to my re-focus of my walk with the Lord and its purpose. It's good to be reminded that you can trust a trustworthy God! I'd be interested in what you all have to think.

How to Prepare for Tomorrow

"Jesus, knowing exactly what awaited Him when He went up to Jerusalem, went. He had set His face to go there, and He moved steadily through the days, doing His Father's work of healing and peace with the same serenity that had always characterized His ministry. He told His disciples exactly what would happen and they understood none of it. On the way there, near Jericho, Jesus healed a blind man. Then He brought salvation to the house of Zaccheus. He wept over the city of Jerusalem, entered it, threw out the merchants from the temple, and carried on His daily teaching in the temple, until the Zero Hour arrived. Nothing dismayed or depressed Him enough to cause Him to quit. The prospects of torture and death in no way hindered His day-to-day work that, as always, pleased the Father. This was His preparation: that faithful doing of the Will, one day at a time. Shall we, His children, not trust Him for our future?"

Give me, O Lord,

A steadfast heart,

Which no unworthy affection

May drag downwards;

Give me

An unconquered heart,

Which no tribulation

can wear out;

Give me

An upright heart,

Which no unworthy purpose

May tempt aside.

Bestow on me also, O Lord my God,

Understanding to know You,

Diligence to seek You,

Wisdom to find You,

And a faithfulness

That may finally embrace You,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Thomas Aquinas)