To know God and make Him known.

My mission in life: To know God and make Him known.

This Sunday our pastor told us this should be our mission and I believe with my whole heart that we are living our lives daily to be the living testimony of the blessings He pours out for us every moment of our days.

In Young Life, Ryan spoke of having our backs to the stage. He meant as leaders we should sit with our backs to the stage for the teens would get the best view at the table. But living with your back to the stage can be a lifestyle. Letting others go first, taking the last portion, driving with others in mind. Just basically it is a way of living humbly and putting others before ourselves. Kind of sounds like living like someone I have heard a lot about. Jesus put others needs above His own always. He lived 'Back to the stage!'

It is not enough to just know God. We must be out there in our daily lives loving on others and letting them in on just what makes our lives so amazing. Likewise, it is not enough to just be out there spreading His love. We must take time to fill ourselves with His word and spend time in His presence. If we don't feast on Him we are not going to be able to share His bounty with others. It really does take both knowing Him and making Him known. I just love that!

Though I should live 'back to the stage' putting others first, it is also important to take the time I need to fill myself. There is no guilt in taking time out of our busy schedules to spend in prayer, worship, or study. I know my 2 aunts each spend time each morning alone with Him. They make it clear that this is sacred time and others respect that and make a point of avoiding disrupting them.

To know God and make Him known. I pray I can live my life this way today and everyday.

In Him,
Joyful