Get your ducks in a row…

I’m guessing it was close to 9 years ago during my quiet time, I sensed God saying…Get your ducks in a row.  Granted it was not a very theological message, but I got the point.

For some time prior, I had sensed this increasing desire to be used by God to make a world-wide impact.  Don’t worry it was as odd for me, as it must be for you.  I sat perplexed on my side-porch, at the end of our cul-de-sac in the middle of nowhere NC, thinking I don’t even know anyone who lives in another country.  How could I ever  make a world-wide impact for the kingdom of God??

God had a couple of things on His side.  I was young and dumb.  Naïve enough to pray for the impossible.  Certainly God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.  Or rather, He qualifies those who are willing to be used.

Although I was confident my prayer for world-wide impact was for another season, the message was for now.  Get your ducts in a row.  Get your house in order.  Be ready for the day I say go, or do.  Live your life in such a way, you will have the freedom to go and do.

This message shifted my focus.  I gained urgency about stewardship.  Primarily spiritual stewardship with practical applications in the realm of family, finance, career, time and energy.

God has beautifully and powerfully woven a seed of stewardship within my life.  I had no idea the peace and freedom He was offering.  I learned that although I cannot give God most of my time, I can give Him my first time.  I can make every effort, for His word to be the first thing I see/read in the morning.  I can bring God into everything I do.  I can listen to sermons while exercising, bring Him into my workplace, use my skills/time/engery to serve Him.  Diligently pursue financial freedom.  Owe nothing to anyone.  Use what we have to impact this world for His Kingdom.

I have not mastered stewardship nor can I testify to my unwavering demonstration of the things above.  But, I realize that is where I am heading.  Pursuing stewardship in this way has produced a greater manifestation of peace and freedom.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the master who went on a journey and entrusted his property to his servants.  To the one servant he gave 5 talents, to another 2 talents and to another 1 talent.  After a long time away, the master returned to settle his accounts.  The first servant returned 10 talents for the 5 originally given to him.  The second servant returned 4 talents for the 2 originally given.  The last servant returned his one original talent.  The master was greatly displeased with the last servant for not stewarding well what the master had entrusted to him.  There was no return on the master’s investment.

I’m convinced at the judgement seat of Christ, I am not going to have to give an account for my sin.  Jesus’ blood has washed them all away.

I do believe God is going to ask me what did I do with all He entrusted to me.  What do I have to show for my time here on earth?  How did I bring Him glory and impact the world for His Kingdom?

I hope when my deeds are tested by fire, they will reveal a life devoted to Him.

If you need any help with practical financial stewardship, I am a big Dave Ramsey fan.  I try to read a book about financial stewardship every January.  Ramsey offers practical and specific financial stewardship advice.  Above are a few of his books regarding financial stewardship.  He offers insights on many sides of financial stewardship…from getting out of debt, saving for college/retirement or leaving a legacy through giving.  Happy Reading…