Playing for an audience of ONE

Dear M, M and M

Thinking about this, a lovely true story I heard a long time ago comes to mind. Here goes.

A priest was celebrating his 50th Anniversary of Ordination. For this occasion he had invited his personal friend, Richard Burton, to come and recite his favourite Psalm 23. Richard Burton agreed to do this on the condition that the priest would also recite it after him. 

At the appointed time, Richard Burton stood and proclaimed the popular Psalm with such oratorical mastery the congregation immediately applauded. And then this humble pastor stood up and began to recite, from heart, this beloved Psalm. After he had finished his not nearly so professional recitation, the congregation was in awe, and some moved to tears. 

Someone in the front pew with Richard Burton leaned over and asked him, "Why did people loudly applaud you and yet were silently moved by the pastor?" Burton replied, "Because I know the Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd." (source: http://csavocations.blogspot.com/2015/04/because-i-know-psalm-but-he-knows.html)

This story got me thinking, that the current world lives by the theme 'fake it till you make it.' Basically, we spend money that we haven't earned, to buy things we don't need so as to impress people we don't like 🤦‍♂️ We try and keep up with the Joneses. Yet, God's word tells us otherwise

Not to conform to the standards of the world. 

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1-2)

Trust in God's Provision

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. (Psalm 23: 1-3)

Seek Him First, Fast and Continually

“So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself. (Matt 6:33-34)

 I know by world standards, you might feel like you will have missed out significantly on somethings, but knowing the Shepherd and what he says in regards to your current season is more important than anything the world has to offer.  

As you meditate on this lovely story, constantly ask yourself if you KNOW GOD or KNOW OF GOD. These will help in many decisions you will need to make.

When all is said and done, what matters is what your Father, Abba, says about you and the relationship you have with Him.

    SideBar: #CrownPrince, you teach me a lot on being content with what I have. That does not mean you are not ambitious but it actually means you are not covetous. I remember listening to your teacher during one of those parent-teacher meetings and she said, you stood out because, you were content with what you had (be it simple snacks, basic crayons, etc). you live out the phrase that the simple things make life beautiful. It brings joy to my heart to see you teach this great life principle to your siblings. #PendaBure