For many years I was responsible for conducting Personnel Evaluations and Reviews. When employees were first hired they had a 90-day review and after that it was an annual evaluation. I always looked for their strengths and tried to encourage change in areas of weakness.
Now I find myself each morning reviewing the events of my previous day. I look back and am thankful for so many things, large and small. I know some of you do this at the end of your day and that’s great too. This isn’t a performance evaluation because we can never win God’s approval by performance or the lack of it, That was all done by Jesus.
So what did I learn in my review of yesterday?
The day started out spending time with Dave, Pam and Jen. We enjoy being together and it doesn’t have to be something great and significant, just the small things are so much better because of the love we share.
The afternoon was spent resting. It’s important that we give ourselves time to be quiet. Our bodies aren’t made to be on the go 24/7, they need rest. It’s a shame that I had to retire to realize that.
In the evening we went to friends for dinner. Randy and Kristi have been our friends for almost 30 years. Friendships like that are truly nuggets of gold. We spent time catching up on life; children, grandchildren, life’s treasures and disappointing times. We talked of the Lord and His faithfulness and our hearts were more full than our stomachs when we left.
Yes, it was a good day!
So, I began to thank the Lord for the day past and the one to come. I found myself saying “Thank you Father. You make my life so…” and then I searched my mind for the right adjective.
Exciting…adventurous…wonderful…full…marvelous…amazing…peaceful…joyful…loving.
But then I stopped. I realized I didn’t need any adjectives. What I was really saying is “Thank you Father, You make my life!”
It’s that simple. Without the Lord, I really wouldn’t be experiencing true living. He makes it all complete.
“You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care.” Job 10:12
Knowing God and having Him in my life intensifies and magnifies each day’s experiences. The Apostle Paul said it this way:
“I am full of hope and feel sure I will not have any reason to be ashamed. I am certain I will continue to have the same boldness to speak freely that I always have. I will let God use my life to bring more honor to Christ. It doesn’t matter whether I live or die. 21 To me, the only important thing about living is Christ. And even death would be for my benefit.22 If I continue living here on earth, I will be able to work for the Lord. But what would I choose—to live or to die? I don’t know.” Philippians 1:20-22 ERV
Jesus purpose in coming to earth was to give man a life filled with purpose. He didn’t come to diminish life and cause it to be substandard. No! He came to enhance and improved our lives in a way that we can’t possibly do on our own.
“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV
“I am the light that has come into the world. No one who has faith in me will stay in the dark.
47 I am not the one who will judge those who refuse to obey my teachings. I came to save the people of this world, not to be their judge.” John 12:46-47 CEV
Now it’s time to get up and start this day. I am really looking forward to it. I know that God has planned my steps and He has great things in store for me! I pray that you are looking forward to the moments of your day as well.
“This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it. 25 O Lord, we beg You to save us! O Lord, we ask that You let everything go well for us! ” Psalm 118:24-25 NLV
As I started to read this I thought, Krisit use to do that to me, she was my boss and I got reviews. It’s how we first met. I got good ones even though I didn’t even try to “study” for our weekly spelling tests, yes….she gave a weekly spelling test, we worked for a VETERINARIAN! I can’t even remember how often I got “empolyee of the month”, the bar wasn’t real high.
But what I’ll take away from todays devotion is Kristi doesn’t give me annual reviews anymore, she loves me everyday, she may reflect on what we did but I hope like I do, she also looks back at them and sees how much we’ve grown with eachother and how close we are, I hope I get more then the standard 2% raise each year, I’ve been good and just do what comes naturaly, enjoy my freind.
Sharing my days with you is a true joy! Yes, I look back on where our friendship started and where it is now and I can see how God brought us together for a very special reason. Truly priceless!