Developing Horizons Magazine (2).pdf Spring 2015 | Page 16

God First
– A Journey of Growth by Faith
By Teresa Devine

T

wenty years ago I received a profound message
from a wise, elderly German lady who was gifted in
spiritual mentoring. Like so many, I was searching for
my purpose in life. Being in a state of ignorance, I was
primarily focused on an unintentionally self-centered
approach toward life. When I asked her “What is my
purpose?” she looked at me thoughtfully and said, “Dear
child, it’s to serve and love God. It’s the same for everyone.” I thought, “Huh? That’s it? That seems too simple.”
Actually, my immature faith and lack of knowledge of
God’s Word kept me from understanding the simplistic
grandeur and practical meaning of her statement. The
revelation of the Truth in what she said was revealed
over the course of twenty years.

closest to me so that He could gain my undivided
attention.
Through my morning routine of prayer, devotions and
Bible study, I could feel His Grace and love for me. He
helped me recognize the unfruitful branches, attitudes
of heart, that kept me separated from Him. I had to get
real with myself and my misgivings and seek forgiveness. Through the Word each morning, I gained His
strength and acknowledged that He had not been my
first priority, but that He must be if I were to live a life
fully in His will.

The irony of putting God first is that relationships with
family and friends become richer and more authentic. I began to understand how to serve and love them
Along the journey, by faith, I responded to a call
more through Him. This truth is what the wise German
to visit Rwanda. God used this experience to break
counselor was trying to share with me so long ago, but I
my hardened heart and open my blind eyes to the true
was too prideful in my own inadequacies to simply ask
needs of the world and to what is important through
her to elaborate.
His eyes. Traveling three more times to Rwanda over
a six year period enabled many blessings. He also
Through the years I searched to understand and learn
confirmed His purpose for me by enabling me to love
what it means to serve and love God but the missing
and serve others half way around the world, selflessly,
piece, the anchor that empowers the other two actions,
for His glory. The most recent trip to Rwanda lasted
was yet to be revealed.
forty days and I refer to it as “my time in the desert”
because, at the time, I was unclear about my future
After returning from Rwanda, during a Bible study,
which was being dedicated to fulfilling His will.
I heard the Pastor say “Our purpose is to know God.”
I pondered…To KNOW God…and it occurred to me
In search of where I should serve, I led a technology
that I had spent most of my life searching how to serve a
mission to Rwanda, a land and people I had come to
God who was a mere acquaintance. How could I fully
love, but God had other plans. He used this time to
love and serve a God that I didn’t know very well? I did
teach me how to be still and seek Him in a new way, and
not know Him well because I had not invested enough
to create the desire to put Him first in my life. Being
time seeking to understand the Word of God and
alone, in solitude, I found the peace of connecting with
developing a relationship with Him as my highest
God by removing the constant distractions and people
priority.

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