As Monday morning came with a brighter sky and tired eyes, my legs struggled to maneuver out of bed. I was recovering from an active weekend. By 7:00 AM I was in the weight room, preparing to torture my back muscles and try to get my mind and body to wake up! Forty five minutes later, I was in my house, wishing it was nap time already. Then I remembered that students were going to be showing up for Monday morning prayer very soon. I quickly showered and readied my self and the youth room. By 8:20 we said "Amen" and the students were heading out the door, and into their school. As they left, I sat down and thought, "How did I go from exhausted and tired, to absolutely charged and ready for the week in just minutes?" I started praying once more, praying for the students, praying for our town, praying for life in general, and in a single moment, I knew that God was the one enabling me to feel so full of life. It was one of those moments where vision came so clearly, compassion entered my heart and compelled me to love more. I was flooded with the thoughts and plans God had for me. I was almost distracted from praying by all the things I felt like God was leading me to do. "Call this guy, tell him you're worried about him and praying for him." "Let the high school office staff know you have their back and you want to spoil them today." Call the mom of the student who was taken by ambulance to the ER last night after youth group, make sure everything is alright with them." The thoughts kept coming.
Not only was I ready to tackle the plans God had for me, I could hardly contain the excitement I had to be part of them! In one simple sentence, I was rich. Rich with joy to love God's people. Rich with peace, knowing God was at work today, helping me change my self and others. Rich with compassion, seeing people as God saw them, full of potential and not cast out. Rich with an energy that felt as though I could run a marathon. Yes, after a morning where sleep sounded better than office work, my God poured His riches upon me and encouraged me to be the vessel He needed me to be.
I was taken to Psalm 1:1-3 "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do." (NLT)
I felt like that strong tree, planted by the river, my roots were firm, my branches were receiving life, and my actions were the fruit, coming forth in all seasons. I had been focused on our God, drawing near to Him. His response to me was exactly what this scripture said it would be. Life, joy, richness, prosperity.
Unlike what the world chases, my riches are not found in money. In fact, take all my money away and I still have everything I mentioned above.
I challenge you to go back and reread that scripture. Then spend time meditating on the ways of our God. He will do just as the verses say, plant you by the river and bring you life and prosperity in every thing you do.
Be blessed today.
