EXPLORE
OIL OF GLADNESS
As we get older, I think we realize more and more how much we need some oil. Maybe oil for our bones, but also oil for our spirit. Many nights my son Jyoses asks me to read to him, and he often has many questions. One verse that stuck out to him and stuck out to me was Psalms 45:7.
I found as I began to refocus on my relationship with God and as I began to praise Him, it's like I could feel the faintness disappearing and the oil of gladness being poured out on me. My prayer for you, is that no matter where you are, that you would see God's heart–to pour out the oil of gladness on you. That your heart would simply fall in love with Him all over again.
"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."
This same wording is used in Isaiah 61:3 "
...The oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit"
I felt God speaking to my spirit, encouraging me to simplify things. Of course Jojo was asking what righteousness is and I had to simplify a definition on the spot. "Being in good relationship with God." As I simplified things, I found myself being ministered too. Kind of like, "Ryan, you have so many anxieties and worries, simplify things and consider your relationship with me and trust that I will pour out the oil of gladness"
With a new baby, we have found time to be crowded where we need to readjust our schedule. We also need to readjust our house and get rid of old stuff for only the most necessary. Simplify.
Many times as a missionary we can also get anxiety over different situations or ministries, or relationships in ministry. Even more so, as a dad and husband, anxiety can easily creep up. Along with this, we find our joy often depleting and feeling even more tired. The more I'd try to do things in my own strength, the weaker I'd become. Even with the neck and back issues I was facing, I was reading how I needed to retrain my body back to using my core muscles for more and my neck and back muscles for less. God wanted me to also go back to the core with Him.
With a new baby, we have found time to be crowded where we need to readjust our schedule. We also need to readjust our house and get rid of old stuff for only the most necessary. Simplify.
Many times as a missionary we can also get anxiety over different situations or ministries, or relationships in ministry. Even more so, as a dad and husband, anxiety can easily creep up. Along with this, we find our joy often depleting and feeling even more tired. The more I'd try to do things in my own strength, the weaker I'd become. Even with the neck and back issues I was facing, I was reading how I needed to retrain my body back to using my core muscles for more and my neck and back muscles for less. God wanted me to also go back to the core with Him.
I found as I began to refocus on my relationship with God and as I began to praise Him, it's like I could feel the faintness disappearing and the oil of gladness being poured out on me. My prayer for you, is that no matter where you are, that you would see God's heart–to pour out the oil of gladness on you. That your heart would simply fall in love with Him all over again.