12 September 2008

1 John 5:21
21 Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.

I have been thinking over the past few months why it seems that I continue to have to be separated from my wife and my children for long periods of time. The first reason that I come up with is of course I am a soldier who is serving his country. It is my duty to serve where I am called to serve, whether it is in Iraq, Afghanistan or Korea. I have actually been blessed in this respect. In my 14 ½ years in the military I have only been deployed 3 times. I have spent much time though away from my family. The second reason that I could come up with is that I am in God’s army and that I have a mission elsewhere. I get the opportunity to serve God all over the world. I get to minister in ways that many people wouldn’t be able to, just because of where I am and what I am doing. Finally, I think that God has sent me away from my family so that I am not distracted by what is going on at home. This way I can become more focused on Him and what He wants for my life as well as my family’s life. This is probably the hardest pill to swallow. I love my family but if I put them before God then I am sinning. It should be God first, then family. So where does that leave me? Am I learning from my mistakes and placing God first in my life, or am I still struggling with allowing placing my family second?

How bout you? Where is God in your life? Is He in the forefront of your life or is He somewhere in the back? God wants the best you can offer, not just the leftovers.