Have You Arrived? - A Devotional

Have You Arrived?
Weekly devotional by Barbara Sanders

Last night I had a night of total insomnia, but GOD must have been working on this mind of mine! Scripture was running rampant through my brain, and things were beginning to shape up for a new devotional.

I know most of you have heard the term "I've arrived!" and heard many people say they surely had arrived. And I want to say, "Arrived to where, from where?"....speaking to the wind, that is.

I 'arrived' here on earth on a very cold, icy morning! In fact, the roads were so iced over, the doctor never made it to my home where I was later delivered by the midwife from next door. While the doctor was comfortable having his breakfast and coffee in a cafe at the bottom of the hill in the little town where my family lived, my Mother was giving birth to her middle child and only daughter, me. Well, I had 'arrived' - really arrived - but only to this troubled world.

People say they've 'arrived' when they reach a certain plateau on the ladder of success, or on the propersity ladder. And then there are those that, once saved, think they have 'arrived'. They begin to think they are right where God wants them, there is nothing else to do, nothing to learn - just go on 'my merry way' and one day I will join ranks with the King.'........Oops!! Mistake!

Luke 19:13 says "Occupy til I come"..and I think it means just that. We are to be about our Father's business until he comes to take us home to be with him. We need to be studying the Word, ministering to others in whatever capacity the Lord has placed us. Some seem to think they have no ministry, but all who are saved are ministers in one capacity or another. We are not all minister, teachers, musicians, etc, but we all have a work to do in the Kingdom of God. We need only listen to the Holy Spirit to find out what that work is to be.

Isaiah 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Those that feel they have already "arrived" will have a difference experience on that day....the arrogance will cease, for they will be humbled at the sight of the Lord. How important 'we' have become will have no importance on that day, for only the LORD will be exalted. If you 'occupy' until he comes, doing the work he left us to do, sharing the gospel with the lost, and holding to his commandments, then on the day of resurrection, I will say "YOU have arrived!"

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Thank you, Father, for showing me your way, different from our ways. Let me hear your voice in everything I undertake and am asked to do, that I will follow you and not stumble on the 'path of importance'....but will continue in your work until you say, "Well, done, thy good and faithful servant"....and I have 'arrived' to reign with you. We give you the praise, honor and glory due your name. In Jesus name, Amen.