Contributed by Pastor Jon Wolfinger

“For I know the thoughts that I think…” – Jeremiah 29:11a

Over the last nine months, the Lord has taken me on one of the wildest rides of my life: working at a grocery store. I know it doesn’t sound that radical, but the lessons learned have been invaluable to me and to my life in ministry. In an effort to not forget the wonderful work God has done, I would like to share with you some of the principles that the Lord has taught and re-taught me.

His sufficiency – In having less time and more responsibility (which seems to be a popular thing these days) God has shown me that ultimately, I am not the one who gets things done in life. It has never been by my power, my ability, my anything – It is all by God’s Spirit and grace working in and through a sinner and fool such as me.

2 Corinthians 3:5 – “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.”

Humility and Service – I have been taught–I have taught–that serving is all about Jesus, but over time, it became somewhat “cliché”. But I have to remember that service is not merely what I do, but who I am. As a Christian I’m never too good to do anything when I’m in God’s will and living for Jesus. He calls us to be humble and obedient.

Mark 10:45 – “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve”

God Works in Seasons – It continues to boggle my mind that God is outside of time. I am so constricted by, and boxed in, time. He is eternal and therefore not bound by time. God does not work in terms of hours and days, but rather in seasons. Not only that, but His seasons are perfect. I need to rest in His timing, never hoping for Him to speed up or slow down no matter what work He is in the midst of doing. When looking at seasons, there is a necessity to be patient, yet anticipate and be prayerful of what God is doing. His plan is perfect.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven”

Redeem the time – No matter how busy I think I am, there is always going to be time that can be used more wisely. After about 3 months at the grocery store, the Lord pressed upon my heart and gave me the desire to start reading Christian books on my breaks rather than do nothing. God used that time to refocus my heart and mind on Him.

Ephesians 5:15 – “ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil”

It is amazing to look back and see the ways that God has worked. For the Christian there are always lessons to be learned and things that we need to change. May we have a heart of humble obedience to be ready and willing to follow the Lord in anything and everything that we do.