Doug Creamer: Spring Break
Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 22, 2017
If you were to ask a typical college student about spring break you would most likely encounter a huge smile as they remember the sunny beaches where they had a great time. The beaches along the Florida and Gulf coasts or even places like Cancun are home to many college students on their spring breaks. I always went home and worked to make some spending money.
Although some school systems are just beginning their spring break, I just finished mine. We had picture perfect weather. We love to work outside in the yard, but we also had things we wanted to get done inside. It was tough choosing where to focus our energies.
Did you notice the difference? College students spend their time relaxing on the beaches while we were working. We stayed busy from the moment we got up until we went to bed each night. We enjoyed spending time with each other while we were getting things done. We didn’t get everything done because gardeners never finish. Plus, there are always plenty of things to do inside the house, too.
I have to confess it wasn’t all work. We did enjoy getting some much needed extra sleep. We also enjoyed a couple of movies. While we were busy, we weren’t working according to a schedule; we were working and enjoying things at our own pace. It’s hard to give that up and return to the routines that make life what it is on a regular daily basis.
One of the things that the extra time afforded was an opportunity to spend more time with the Lord. Quiet times were not rushed. I had time to meditate and think about spiritual things. I find the Lord can talk with me while I am playing in the dirt almost as well as when I am sitting quietly on the porch. Both places can be a sanctuary if we open our hearts and minds to hear the voice of God. One of my best sanctuaries is lying in bed late at night. I find that God wants to talk when the distractions of the day are removed and I can give Him my attention.
I know it is hard to hear from heaven when things are pressing in from all sides. Life is hectic and it seems to be moving at a faster pace, but God still desires to speak to us. I believe God understands that it is hard for us to balance work and the demands of daily life and to always keep our ears open to heaven. It’s because we are constantly going that I believe we sometimes miss that quiet whisper of His voice.
God is constantly looking for ways to reach the lost or to send an encouraging word to the discouraged. He needs us to do this work. When we allow life to press in from all sides and keep us distracted, we can miss those opportunities. To be aware of the opportunity we need to be listening for God’s voice. There are people we see every day who could use an encouraging word from heaven and we could be the ones to bring that refreshing word.
I pray for certain people almost daily who are lost or discouraged by life. I hope that God will send them someone who will show them the way or offer that word of encouragement. I know that I am not alone in praying those prayers. So here is the question: how do you know if you might be the answer to someone’s prayers? How do I know if God might be sending me to the person on your heart? God is looking for a willing and able person to take His message of love to the hurting and lost souls.
My pastor is constantly reminding us that mission is everywhere. That means that the person standing next to you in the grocery store or the cashier or the waitress might need to hear about God’s love through you and me. We are His ambassadors. We carry within us the hope of the world, the light in the darkness. The fields are ripe for harvest, what can we do?
I want to encourage you to make yourself available to God. God needs people like you and me to carry His message of love and hope to the hurting and lost. While our prayers are vital to reaching those in need, our availability is crucial too. A smile or a few uplifting words can change someone’s day. We have the opportunity to be used by God and to be a blessing, what will we do?
Contact Doug at doug@dougcreamer.com
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