The Journey – The Search for His Plan

This past week, I surpassed another milestone.  October 28th was the 7 year anniversary of “the job lose” and beginning of my 40 day journey.  This morning, I went back and read highlights of this journey and thought I’d offer as a word of encouragement.  The following is a introduction:

God’s word speaks of many 40 day journeys throughout.  In Rick Warren’s book, A Purpose Driven Life, he reminds us of the following:

• “Noah’s life was transformed by 40 days of rain.
• Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai
• The spies were transformed by 40 days in the Promised Land
• David was transformed by Goliath’s 40-day challenge.
• Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength for a single meal.
• The entire city of Nineveh was transformed when God gave the people 40 days to change.
• Jesus was empowered by 40 days in the wilderness.
• The disciples were transformed by 40 days with Jesus after his resurrection.”
• As Warren sates, “The bible is clear that God considers 40 days a spiritually significant time period.”

On October 29, 2008, I began what I believe, hope, and pray is my 40 day journey to a major life changing decision regarding the path of my “work” and my commitment to growing His Kingdom.  I offer the following daily journal of scriptures revealed every morning and significant events which can be reflected back upon by myself for future inspiration and may be passed on to others in their times of need.

During the course of this journey, primarily what I captured were daily scriptures God brought to mind through various means.  What back then I called a 40 day journey now has become a routine part of my daily life today.  I woke every morning, prayed, and listened to what God had in store for that day.  Through devotions, thoughts coming to mind, and simply reading scripture, specific verses tended to resonate.  If you’d like to read these specific verses from the 40 days, here is a pdf capturing these versus: The Journey – A Search for His Plan – Rev 1.  The journey is summarized by the following:

What is the “prize”?  For many, to include myself in my younger years, the “prize” is to have a successful career and make a lot of money.  It seems that while some claim to know and trust God, our actions hear on earth tend to be focused around money and possessions rather than eternal purposes.

At the beginning of this 40 days, “I began what I believe, hope, and pray is my 40 day journey to a major life changing decision regarding the path of my “work” and my commitment to growing His Kingdom.”  Thus, while I knew there was a potential that this would not result in a new career by the end of the period, truly, the “prize” which I was deep down hoping and praying for was clear direction on my next career at the end of my journey.

Well, what I have received is reaffirmation of what I already knew was the real “prize” which is eternal life and treasures stored up on heaven.  If I were to outline my 40 day journey, I believe it would be something like the following:

Trust in the Lord

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

God or Money? Which will truly take priority in your life?

The Widow’s Offering

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others”. Mark 12:41-43

Would you be willing to give your last two dollars to Him?

Store up Treasures in Heaven

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Mat 6:19-21

Are you investing in The Kingdom with your time, money, and possessions?

While the 40 days has passed, I continue to reflect daily on the blessing God has provided by giving me this break in life.  While I don’t believe I had strayed far from the real “prize”, I do believe that this time has clearly aided in refocusing and renewing my commitment to serving His Kingdom.

Seven years later, what I didn’t know then that I’m starting to really appreciate now is that what I thought to be a 40 day journey was only the beginning.  The beginning of God molding and shaping my heart and the hearts of my family.  Would I truly trust God?  Would I really be willing to give Him my last two dollars?  Would I really invest in The Kingdom with my time, money, and possessions?  These three questions have regularly come up along the way and, to the best of our ability, we’ve said “yes” on a daily and, sometimes, moment by moment basis.

The picture in today’s post might be familiar to some of my readers.  It’s a picture of Lisa and I’s hand sacrificing money that has a God story.  You can read much of the story around this picture in my post, One Of The Best Christmas Gives Ever.  It’s relevance to today’s post however is how God has used this picture, which is the background on my phone, as a constant reminder of the three questions:

1. Will you truly trust Me?
2. Will you truly give Me your last two dollars?
3. Will you truly invest your time, money, and possessions for My Kingdom?

Many of you know our story and our hearts for which we have given up much in this world to follow Him.  It’s a journey that I wish others didn’t have to experience; however, the joy that comes from knowing our Heavenly Father and growing in a real, authentic personal relationship with Him is “priceless”.  In many aspects, 7 years now into this stage of the journey, I feel like we’re only just getting started.

Finally, likely one of the most important things God’s teaching me along the way is “it’s about the journey and not the destination”.  Yes, it’s taking this hard head a bit of time to fully embrace, however, the journey unfolds one day at a time rather than having a destination weeks, months, and year ahead.  I’m learning to wake up daily, seek Him, and walk in obedience to Him daily knowing that “The man who walks with God always gets to His Destination!”

 

2 responses to “The Journey – The Search for His Plan”

1. Dave Boyd says:

   10/31/2015 at 1:39 pm

   Chris, you will never know how much I appreciate and value your you and your words. You continue to allow God to use you as a light for others. Thanks and God Bless, DB

   Reply
   • chrisarnold says:

     10/31/2015 at 1:58 pm

     Thanks DB!

     Reply