Considering all of the material possessions we own, there is one item that is rarely used. It looks as beautiful as the day that we were gifted it when we were married over thirty-years ago; yet, I can count on one hand how many times that we have eaten off of our wedding China. We have kept it stored for a special occasion, and over the years it has filled our China cabinet: some pieces are on display behind the glass doors, but the majority of it is carefully preserved in soft zippered carriers made especially for China.

I was thinking about it the other day, and the question came to my mind, “What are you waiting for? Don’t we deserve to use it? If not, why do we hold on to it? If you think about your own treasures, I’m sure you could name many items that are packed in boxes that you may have forgotten even existed. They are there for such a time as this, waiting to be picked up and put to use.

Not only do we have material treasures that are never used, but we also have talents that  we have allowed to be pushed back into the recesses of our mind, just waiting for the proper time for someone to unearth the gifts that the Lord has given us. Sometimes, we think that it is impossible that the gifts we have could be useful for us, and others may require some of our effort to bring to full potential. I can say all day long that I want to be a writer; for example, but if I never pick up a pen, or sit at a keyboard, my desire to write will never amount to anything useful.

We get so focused on the unreachable goals we set for ourselves, instead of building  up our skills until we can reach the ultimate goal for everyone which should be to do the will of God. Doing the will of God requires our commitment to put one foot in front of the other. We can’t expect that the first step that we take will be the one that reaches the top of the mountain we must climb; no, it may take many baby steps and maybe even some steps backward before we can reach our destination.

The key to reaching any destination is to just keep moving forward. When you make missteps in the learning process, if you start moving again, just move forward. At times in your walk with the Lord you may look back and wonder how you ever reached this point in your life, because from your viewpoint, you made so many mistakes, and you tripped up, and fell down, and bruised your knees, and maybe even, at times you didn’t think that God was even listening to your heart’s cry.

Crying that you did in silence, so that you would not disturb others, or be faced with all of the questions that you couldn’t explain–the pain you were feeling. Tears that were stored up in heaven for lost loved ones; and yes, the occasional pity parties, because you have felt so inadequate at times that you really didn’t expect good things to happen to you; after all, you make mistakes. You are the one who is supposed to be perfect and have all of the answers even when deep inside you are just trying to do the best you can to live for the Lord, day by day without feeling inadequate. That burden was never meant for you to carry, so why do we insist on holding on to the hurt of the past, instead of giving it to the Lord? The bible tells us in Romans 8:1-2:

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

I don’t have to feel the condemnation that I once felt, because I am a daughter of the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and Satan can’t tolerate children of the most high reaching peace and contentment. It’s time to shut out the voices that tell us we will never be able to reach our full potential, and to hear the voice of the Lord that calls us to prosper and be in good health. Finding our way out of the darkness into his marvelous light should not stop when we are saved. It should perpetuate throughout our walk with God so others might know him.

If only we could trust the Lord to know the plans that he has for us. The treasures that we acknowledge, may be the ones that lead someone to Christ. We should learn to appreciate the blessings that he so generously bestows upon us, so that we can give to others. It’s time to unpack the China and set the table.

¹² Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

¹³ Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

¹⁴ This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

¹⁵ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

¹⁶ He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

¹⁷ He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:12-17)

No matter where you are on this journey, you can always be a light. In this week’s Lattereign, Thoughts on School Prayer we look at prayer in the schools. No one will ever be able to stop it from happening in the schools as long as there are people who need to reach out to the Lord.