Can You & I Be Bored In Heaven?
- Nathan Middleton
- Nov 7, 2018
- 3 min read
Last Wednesday I was traveling back to Thailand after being in Cambodia for 4 days. I couldn't sleep, so I decided to look back and reflect, thinking of what I learned, accomplished, and the relationships and bridges I've built. I went there with Alyssa and P Doo to produce media for their 2nd year Anniversary of our 1st church in Cambodia, and I came back so thankful for what they imparted into me - through their generosity, wisdom, humility, and their passion. What I have written below is the heart and wisdom they poured into me.
Worship & Prayer is the backbone of the church
"If you & I cannot worship now, we will be bored in heaven" - Pastor Ronald Castillo
As Jesus followers, or mini Jesus', we are committed to invest our lives into those around us, and if we cannot pray, if we cannot worship, all that we do is meaningless, is vapor that vanishes in front of our very eyes.
All focus and hope is lost when you and I fail to commit our tired and weary hearts to worship & prayer.
This I have noticed all to well in my life. Especially last year, as I came to VABC knowing I only had only enough finances for tuition and a few months of living expenses. It was a leap of faith and trust in God, I knew He'd come through, but when? How?
November came, finances did not, but kept shrinking. My thoughts started to drift in a tug-of-war - "Is God good enough for mw? is He faithful? Will He provide my every need like His Word promises?
I was desperate for answers, and for change to happen. I was desperate to see God's goodness in the land of the living as Psalms 27:13 says. Yet, my heart was tired and weary, I found it hard to read the bible, pray, and worship. What I sought, I could not find. My life here in Thailand is way more busy, and full of way more responsibility, challenges, and stress than you may think and see - and so I had a problem to solve - "where do I find time to strengthen myself in God?"
And solve it I did! I decided to...because I had no other time...wake up at 3:30am in the morning and spend an hour in worship & prayer; declaring God's promises over my life. AAAAAHHHHH!!! Really? 3:30am haha. And for the first few days, man did I grow big, dark purple bags under my eyes, and grew more physically tired...BUT I noted a change in my countenance, a change in my perspective, and best of all - A change in my finances. After I pulled out my last $40 to bring on Christmas break, $100 came in, then another, and then $2,000 and with that I was able to travel to India in May which was a dream and opportunity I had taken in faith believing for finances to come through since November.
Every opportunity I've had come my way since, has been because of this determination to and frustration to see my financial and spiritual life changed, and the lives of those around me.
I posed a question in the title of this blog: "Can you & I be bored in heaven?" - and I truly believe that you and I can, but only under one condition, one that is based upon the condition of your heart, and mine. In heaven, all our time will be spent in prayer and worship, thanking and praising God for all that He's done, and all we've been able to do through Him.
What is it that you are desperate, determined, and frustrated to see changed in your life? Are you willing to do something about it? I'd like to know. Let's be honest with each other.
"...the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits!" - Daniel 11:32
I can't do this alone, none of us can. I hate poverty just like you. The way we destroy poverty is through giving. I'm tired of living in the wilderness with just enough. $150 CAD a month doesn't cut it when my goals are to travel to Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and make a difference in the lives of the next generation. It's "far fetched" to think that I'll ever be able to afford a motorbike, a new Macbook Pro, and stay in Thailand for the next 4 years with the current financial condition I'm in.
Comentarios