I don’t remember where we were or
why, but I was in the ladies room with author and speaker Tami Head (God used her
recently published Bible study, Duty or Delight? Knowing Where You Stand
with God, www.lifeway.com, to shift my
focus from performing for God to simply loving Him). At the time, her younger
daughter was in the last years of high school, and her older girl had just left
for her first year of college. As we chatted about this new stage of life, she uttered
these insightful words: “I just want to steward this season well.”
I have pondered these words in my
core. They have become a prayer for my own season. The cry of my heart for my 10-year-old,
toes dangling over the precipice of adolescence, caught in the balance of being
too young but too old. My 14-year-old, feet firmly planted in the teenage
years, discovering a faith and convictions all her own. My 18-year-old, staring
down her final teenage year, hands wrapping the reigns of her own life now. My
23-year-old, barreling toward his mid-twenties, living on his own and figuring
out what holds most importance to him.
How do I simultaneously steward
all their seasons well when I’m in a season of my own? A season of sanctification
as the Lord strips me of self so He can clothe me in Christ. A season of being
wife to a husband who runs his own company and needs tenderness, attentiveness,
and restoration when he comes home beat up by the demands of his job. A season
of mothering four children, all in their own seasons, balancing the tasks of
home, schooling, and helping James in the business. A season of becoming an
author, responding to the burden God has placed on my heart to share what He is
teaching me. A season of friendship, discipling and being discipled. A season
of chaos in the world, false teaching in the church. A season of much change,
much threat, much uncertainty.
Stewardship is a biblical
principle of responsibility and accountability by which each of us will be
measured. A scale that weighs what we’ve done with what we’ve been given. The
results eternally significant. Jesus taught a parable on stewardship in Matthew
15:14-30. A master traveling to a country far away gives each of three servants
a certain number of talents, “each according to his own ability” (verse 15).
After a long time, the master returns and settles his accounts. Two servants
doubled the master’s money, while the other buried it out of fear. Each
received his just reward. The same will be true for us when we stand before
Jesus and give an account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).
While Jesus’ parable deals with
money, its application exceeds mere monetary relevance. Our Master will settle
accounts with us regarding all that He entrusts to us. In a sense, our children
are talents: valuable goods with which we are assigned by The Master. We are
accountable for how we steward the seasons of their lives. A bit frightening,
if you ask me.
So how do we steward well in the
midst of their and our seasons when there is no formula? There is only flesh
and spirit. Law and Jesus. The answer one that requires giving up everything in
order to receive that which matters most. Setting aside self for others. Husband.
Children. We see in God’s word how it is in fact possible to do so, and to do
it well.
Writing to the church in Galatia,
Paul reveals how to steward our seasons well. His letter confronts a false
gospel of salvation by Jesus plus works and establishes salvation through grace
by faith alone. This eternal truth not only is the key to the kingdom of God,
it is the formula for seasonal stewardship, the “how to” contained in Galatians
5:16-20, 24-26, and 6:1-10:
5:16 I say
then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;
and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that
you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the
law.
5:24 Those who
are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us
not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
6:1 Brethren,
if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one
in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For
if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives
himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will
have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one
shall bear his own load. 6 Let him who is taught the word share in
all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is
not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For
he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to
the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us
not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not
lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to
all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Seasonal stewardship in ten easy
steps!
1. Walk in
the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, live in the Spirit.
2. Crucify
the flesh with its passions and desires.
3. Remain
humble, focused on others, and thankful, no matter what.
4. Exude
gentleness, remembering it could just as easily be me.
5. Bear each
other’s burdens.
6. Take
responsibility for my own choices and behaviors.
7. Remain in
God’s truth.
8. Respond to
God’s truth.
9. Never give
up.
10. Do good to
all.
In reality, the list isn’t so easy, and the whole thing hinges on number
one. In fact, two through ten are impossible without one. Once we are saved by
grace through faith, the only way we will steward the seasons God gives us well
is to walk in the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, and live in the Spirit.
What does that actually mean? How do we actually do life by the Spirit? By lead and bit.
More Monday.
Until then, I pray God’s word penetrates deep in our hearts
and understanding as the Holy Spirit prepares us to steward our seasons well as
we become more wholly His today.
Shauna Wallace
Holy His
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