Not Quite Finished

“Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

This Thursday we went up to Mayo Clinic again. We had about eight people that came into our room and did tests and offered advice to us. We were in that small room for about four and a half hours. After about three hours I was walking up and down the hallways to give my body strength! The first gal that came in was from Jordan and we had a bond relationship with her because had lived there for three years. The gal that came in last was the most important, but by then Cathy and I were fatigued and tired. She had many things that were significant and valuable to us. When we were through with the appointments we ate some lunch and drove to St. Augustine where we just laid down and slept.

I was thinking about the verse that is on the top of the page that I read today. That is the very reason that I’m typing a post now. “Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” – I’m questioning that now. My life is 100% for the Lord but I do things that I question are for Him. Riding my bike, working out at the gym, watching TV, driving to Jacksonville, going on a vacation, cleaning my house, taking care of our car, etc. Some of them are useful – praying for people who need my support, giving money to people that need it, being a part of a small group that meets every week, going to church, loving my wife and children, etc. Maybe it’s the words “do for the Lord” that are the key words. But realizing there’s nothing you can do to make God love you more is one of the most liberating truths you’ll ever declare or mention. It’s also one of the hardest to believe for yourself.

I have been making goals for myself for more than 30 years now. I have categorized them into four sections: Physical – “your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit”, Spiritual – “Christ’s power is perfected in my weaknesses”, Personal – “in whatever you do, do it for the Lord”, Financial – “to he who has been given much, much will be required”. I have been surprised at the year’s end to see how many of my goals I have succeeded on. I have also been disappointed when I didn’t accomplish a few of them. But these goals are in unison with that verse. I write these goals enthusiastically at the beginning of the year, and nothing I do for the Lord is useless. I go over them several times of the year to make sure I’m focused. Occasionally, I will change one or two of them but I know that God has given me these goals to make my life useful to Him.

For 2026 in my Spiritual category I have the following goals:

• At least 3x per day check in – How am I doing Lord?
• Take prayer and fasting days. Look at my prayer list EVERY day
• Continue to work harder at the art of listening (definitely doing)
• Pray with/for Cathy more regularly (voice issue)
• Pray for Laura and Joshua and Wendy each week (at least)
• Be faithful and dig deep in the Word, listening as HE speaks
• Continue to disciple Mo.
• Continue to mentor Joe. Look for others that need help
• Enjoy the fellowship of the “Misfits”

I don’t know how the visit to the Mayo Clinic fits in with any of my goals, but I do know that it was God’s plan for my life. I’m not so sure that I’m in concurrence with Him – there are several days when I want to speed up my trip to heaven – yet I know that he is using me on this earth for his privilege and benefits. Even though I am crying and frustrated I will always love him…