God’s Helpers
What a joy to be the editor of this blog and to have the privilege of introducing you each week to new friends who share our passion for loving Jesus and living life with Him! We have published articles from many ladies that I have met in ministry across the miles and the years. You’ve heard from ladies that I’ve known since childhood and some that I’ve just met this year, and even then, only through the internet. You’ve heard from my family - my mother-in-law, two sisters-in law, one niece, and even my daughter, Sarah, have all contributed articles. And today and next Friday, I have the privilege of introducing you to two more of my daughters.
Today’s article is from my daughter, Bethany Lacock. She and her husband are spending the summer in Farson, Wyoming, where TJ is serving as the interim pastor of a small church. In the fall, they will return to Maranatha Baptist University in Watertown, Wisconsin, where TJ is in seminary. Bethany has served as a school teacher and a nanny for the past three years, and today’s article is something that the Lord has taught her through her work.
I love being a nanny to two little girls, Elise and Nora. We have so much fun together! Today Elise and I made donuts. But the whole time, she thought we were making cookies. It’s so much fun baking with a two year old, but also a challenge! It gets a little messy. After cleaning things up, a thought came to me...
Baking with a 2 year old is kind of like our Christian walk. Let me explain.
Christ is our Master and Builder. He is our Lord, the One that controls our lives and everything that goes on around us!
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (I Cor. 6:19-20)
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them…Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation fo God through the Spirit.” (Eph. 2:10)
Similarly, I was the “Master Builder” of these donuts. I controlled what was going on - well, most of the time. Every once in a while, I let Elise take things into her own hands. Do you know what happened then? DISASTER! Flour everywhere, icing in the hair, sprinkles flung across the kitchen, dough on the floor.
And guess what? The same thing happens when we try to control our lives instead of letting God have His place! We take things that God has intended to help us grow and mature in Him, we push our own agenda into it, and we create a mess - disappointment, broken relationships, hurt feelings, unmet expectations, and worst of all, sinful thoughts, words, and actions. We are meant to be God’s helpers, just like Elise was my helper.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (Rom. 12:1-2)
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:12-13)
We get to follow the instructions God has for us, not take over everything! God has a perfect plan for our lives and He knows the ending to our story. Sometimes we think we know what’s best for us. We think we know what we are “making” in this life, like Elise thought we were making cookies. But just as I knew we were actually making donuts, so God knows what He is planning for our lives!
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jer. 29:11)
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Prov. 3:5-7)
Keep trusting Him. His plan is always perfect, and His way is always best.
