Reading Backwards
By Guest Writer, Sue Tell
Today’s Treasure
O Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you ...
I Timothy 6:20 NLT
I read backwards not because of dyslexia. I read backwards in my journals to discern the voice of God. Reading backwards to find the path of life. Reading backwards to know the good, acceptable, perfect will of God. Reading backwards is teaching me about stewardship.
What is stewardship? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition is: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.
About stewardship, Paul declares:
“… I am still entrusted with a stewardship.”
I Corinthians 9:17
Stewardship for Paul was caring for a God-given trust. (my definition):
“The church of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,”
Colossians 1:25 (bold mine)
As I think of the stewardship God has entrusted to me, some things don’t change. God’s purpose for me is wrapped in His love. God keeps the responsibility in His court:
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
Psalm 138:8
Some things don’t change; however, applications morph. My God-given desires remain the same; living them out is morphing:
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
Yet, some things do change: Capacity, current realities, the best path:
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43:19
I've been pondering:
What does stewardship look like at this juncture in my journey? Answers are emerging; anticipation is growing.
What might stewardship look like for you at this juncture in your journey? Might God be pointing you down a new path?
“… let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
PRAYER
Father, thank You that You know the path You’ve planned for us, the path that will bring life, the path that You want us to steward. I pray for myself; I pray for my friends; will You make known to us that path. And Father, will You give us the courage to listen for Your Voice and to follow Your leading. Amen
Copyright, October 2019, Sue Tell, Echoes of Grace
Sue Tell and her husband Bill have been married for almost 46 years and have served on the staff of The Navigators for 46 years as well. Although their official roles have changed over the years, the campus ministry has always been a part. Sue writes a weekly faith-based blog, Echoes of Grace, that you can find at suetell.com. She also enjoys facilitating Sabbath-Living retreats to help women grow in their friendship with God. Bill and Sue have two married sons, five grands, and her favorite walking buddy, a Golden Retriever named Lexie.
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