Psalm 127

Last week was a very tough week for me.  Work was very taxing and I was very tired physically and mentally, from work and from the gym etc.  It hasn't been easy working six days a week and on the seventh day (Sunday), meant to be a day of rest, actually serving in church.  So there's rest, but not quite rest as having responsibility just pushes you on the go again.  Nonetheless, I plod along take each day as it comes.

However, last Wednesday (3 August) was one of the worst days.  I had four driving lessons.  The first one went pretty well and I thank God for that.  The pupil found it enjoyable and productive, as did I.  The second lesson was very taxing indeed.  The pupil was out of focus and just drove in a very weird manner, not his usual style.  When I asked him to park up to side to explain stuff to him he asked if we could step outside so he could have a smoke.  I was quite surprised at that request, but agreed to it as part of compassion for him, hoping the cigarette can calm him and letting the customer have their way.  However, I found myself explaining stuff to him on my clipboard, other pedestrians walked by and looked at us, and I was also surrounded by second-hand smoke!  I really dislike smoking!!  I was caught between a rock and a hard place.  There was debate within me between compassion for the pupil and professionalism.  I thought to myself what Jesus would do.  Jesus would definitely love this guy and would not care what he was like, what he requested etc.  So I tried my hardest to do as Jesus would do and show love and patience to this pupil.  However, the more I tried to do it, the more frustrated I became!

At the end of the lesson I was really tired out mentally.  Was so glad it was over and as I made my way to the third lesson I was dreading how I could face the next two lessons.  Once I got to the third lesson, about ten mins early (didn't have enough time to visit a toilet nor eat or drink anything) I switched the car engine off and prayed to God.  I returned to my Maker and I asked Him to restore me.  I asked God to give me the love and patience to handle the next lesson as I was really struggling.  I believed that when I was am weak then God is strong.  Lo and behold, the next lesson went really well!  The pupil drove really well, learnt lots and we had fun during the two hour lesson.  It made such a big difference.  The fourth lesson was a little taxing as well, but again, with God by my side I was able to deal with it with more patience.

When I got home I was listening to a sermon by Pastor Prince and he talked about how we hear God's voice when we are rested.  Also the passage where he spoke from was Psalm 127:1-2

"1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves."

This passage spoke to me in two ways.  First verse reminded me that no matter what I do, what career I build, how hard I work, how hard I try at something.  If the Lord is not there, it will not last.  Everything will collapse without the Lord.  So even if I try to be professional and patient with my pupils etc, if the Lord is not there and I rely on my own strength, then it will not last. My patience and love will run out, but the Lord's patience and love will not.  So I have I ask for His patience and love through me.

The second verse reminds me, no matter how busy I am with work with the gym with anything, that I really should spend time with God.  I should find time to 'rest' and it is in this 'resting' time that I will hear God's voice.  I should make time to do devotions and make effort to spend time with God, listening to Him, recharging through Him.

Thursday and Friday lessons I arrived a few minutes before the lesson started and I prayed just before meeting the pupils and asked God for his presence among us in the lessons and the lessons were so different.  I felt so refreshed after each prayer.  Praise God!