Double for your Trouble

Walking is one of my favorite physical activities. I have a route in my neighborhood I've been taking for about four years. With this weekend's milder weather, I was able to get outside again after several months spent (inside) on the treadmill at the office.

As many of you know, I collect aluminum cans. At this point, any money earned from the collection of these cans is to go to Joyce Meyer Ministries, per direct instructions I got from God one day a few months ago. But it's deeper than that; the Lord has taught or reminded me of so many spiritual principles through the simple act of picking up other people's soda, juice, and beer cans. (Proof that He exists even in the simple things!)

Today, I found about ten cans on my route. It was windy out there, though, and a powerful gust came after me, flipped my bag out of my hand and caused most of the cans to fall out of the bag. Two of them were quickly blown away by the gust, so fast that I could not walk briskly enough to catch them. They were out of my sight in no time flat.

I was frustrated because I know - from a spiritual standpoint - that each can I collect represents a life that the Lord desires to recycle. But the harsh reality of this incident was that I will sometimes miss opportunities with people or let them slip out of my hands. In this case, it wasn't my fault; the wind carried them away.

I immediately began to believe that God would allow me to find two more on the way back home. Much to my amazement, I found four. He then reminded me of Isaiah 61:7, which says, "Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours." When you belong to the Lord Jesus, and you have suffered, He will give you double for your trouble. I lost two cans, but He returned four to me. Wow.

I don't know what you're going through today, but we all suffer in different ways and in different phases of our lives. I'm grateful to the Lord for using the recycling experience He's blessed me with to share this Word from Him!!

Jesus rocks!!