At Peace at Any Altitude

Scripture:
When you sit to dine with a ruler,
    note well what is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies,
    for that food is deceptive.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
    do not trust your own cleverness.
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
    for they will surely sprout wings
    and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
Proverbs 23:1-5

Observation: Among the wise sayings are these two, both warning of rich living. In the second, the lesson in clear ... do not pursue riches either through overtaxing work or by relying upon your own intelligence, for riches are fickle and fleeting. You may achieve riches, but they can easily be lost. In the first saying the warning is not to covet the fineries of the rich. If you ever get to enjoy rich living, do not learn to desire it.

These two messages are linked. If you learn to desire fine living, you will be tempted to pursue it. If you pursue it, you will only harm yourself and may not be able to achieve or hold it anyway.

Application: I was JUST thinking about this 30 minutes before beginning my devotions ... about how I need to set aside my professional aspirations and simply live life. This is one of my lessons in this season - that my career is of no consequence at all, and I would be much better to simply pursue God's purposes in my life of serving others - including my family - through simpler service. I can better do that in lower positions, where I can help many.

This is the goal of the next act of my life, then. I wish to find a position where I can help others, both in their lives and in their spiritual discoveries. I would like that to align to helping my family - especially my children - in achieving God's plans for them as well. This is the journey.

Prayer: Lord, you have given me the spiritual gift of leadership, yet multiple times have shown me that I should not assume positions of leadership. I hear you, and I will obey you. I am totally and completely at peace with this. In fact, I seek it, as I see your will is truly best for my life. Please place me where you would have me, and I will serve you in gladness by serving every little one that you love. Amen.