From infancy, we have a tendency to spend our lives looking for reward in one way or another even when we’re not aware of it. Because reward of some description is usually freely given to us by those we love. And it is fed to us daily in the form of social media affirmation, whereby we seek approval from others, as we want to be accepted and belong.
If we add faith into the equation, we see how even there we can be tempted to chase down reward, rather than making a secure relationship with God our top priority. His word is lavish with promises but it also has guidance for the way God wants us to live.
“…and when the Head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.” — 1 Peter 5:4 TLB
Faith is often referred to as a walk, a way of life, a journey, and a wilderness kind of experience at times. Faith is also as an anchor for our souls and a guiding compass, as we steer a course through this world’s landscape. We need faith, trust, courage, wisdom, discernment and deliberation to avoid the many distractions and obstacles in our path and press on regardless.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 NIV
We require strong hearts, courageous spirits and stout shoes to stay on the rocky road-less-travelled, and maintain our hope and trust in God. Maybe we make it harder than it is. Maybe it’s more about yielding our souls to the Captain of our ship, than trying to keep going in our own strength.
Set my course
I seek simplicity because I’ve dwelt
in complicated for far too long.
I have allowed difficult
to define my days
and ways of perceiving
my life, my faith, my song.
Let me set my course in fair winds or foul,
by steering faithfully, aided by grace, by
Holy Spirit breath and compass within.
And if I get blown off the right course
and scent of my true home,
may I return again,
battered and bruised, perhaps,
by a secret bent
known only to the soul.
I want to stay the course, discover
new lands, have my courage
rewarded by what I may find,
as stars shine bright
and a full moon beams,
lighting the way
for me when it’s too dark
to steer or see.
© joylenton
What if we could see ourselves as being enough and believe that God is more than enough for us? How might it look to view God as our great, unmerited reward as we walk through life by His grace? It’s a challenge to our preoccupied, insecure or self-absorbed souls but it’s also a wild adventure to seek to trust as we journey with God.
“After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” — Genesis 15:1 NIV
It’s reward enough today to be able to write and share my belated five-minute-friday poem with the fabulous writing crew over at Kate Motaung’s site. Come join us here and read the great variety of posts being shared, as we pour out our words for this week’s prompt of “reward.”
Poetry Joy 
Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the things not yet seen.
Amen, Tara, it’s always good to be reminded of that bible verse. Thank you, friend! xo 💜
I love this truth! “Maybe it’s more about yielding our souls to the Captain of our ship, than trying to keep going in our own strength.” Thank you for sharing your heart, and your encouraging poem. I am your neighbor at Five Minute Friday. I hope you have a lovely weekend!
Hello, welcome to my blog! I’m so glad you’ve visited. And delighted that you’ve found a takeaway nugget for your soul as well. Thank you for your kind encouragement. May you have a blessed weekend too! 😊🌼
Reblogged this on Pastor Michael Moore's Blog and commented:
Wonderful food for thought, Joy ❤️❤️
How wonderfully kind and encouraging of you, dear friend! Blessings on your weekend, Michael. May you have time to become refueled and refreshed as you pour out to others. 💜❤
The weekend has been filled with meetings, hospital calls, and three Melodrama performances (the church puts them on and we raise money for local missions). The last performance is in five and a half hours (3 pm). Church begins in a half an hour. Hoping for some rest this week!
Oh my, you are very busy and pressed! Weekends are rarely resting and relaxing for you. May you find a few moments today to catch your breath, if not rest, and may the week ahead be a little less demanding for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers as you serve and support your congregation. 💜
Thank you so much, precious Joy ❤️❤️
My necessarily sedentary lifestyle does lend itself well to quiet times of reflection and prayer, which helps me to support those who are able to be physically active and busy, like yourself. It’s an honour and privilege to pray for you, my friend. ❤
Very beautiful words.
It’s amazing how God inspires and equips us with beauty to share with others. I am so thankful for these words and grateful when they resonate with others. Bless you. 😊🌷
Thank you so much! Blessings! 🙂
Such a beautiful poem-prayer, Joy! I want to stay the course, too, come what may. Resting in the power of God’s Word, God’s Son and the Holy Spirit to keep me, when I cannot keep myself. Blessings and love!
Dear Melissa, we soon discover how fully dependent we are on God’s power and strength, which equips us to stay the course when we are weak, weary or go off track. It’s good to have you sailing with me, sister! Blessings and love! xo 💜
I guess I was so busy I never thought of rewards, I have lived in complicated too long. His love and peace should be simple, He really paid the price, reward enough for me, but He gives more.
Becky, I think many of us live like that. How good and gracious God is to keep on supplying what we lack, as He gently invites us into His simplicity and rest. May you enjoy those aspects of faith more and more. x 💜
Dear Joy,
Thank you for sharing these beautiful words, so precious here especially:
“Let me set my course in fair winds or foul,
by steering faithfully, aided by grace, by
Holy Spirit breath and compass within.”
Such simplicity, to let His Holy Spirit Breath be my compass within. Just what I needed on this heavy weekend. Blessings, love, and hugs Dear Friend.xoxo
Dear Bettie, I’m sorry to hear your weekend feels heavy. May the weight and burden of it be released into the hands of God, as He encourages you to rest and let go. He’s already got you covered and longs to lift your heart. Sending blessings, love, hugs and prayers to you, dear friend. xoxo 💜
Beautiful words, Joy. Yearning for simplicity with you too. LORD strip the complicated and let your beautiful simple shine in me. Thank you for always setting our eyes on Jesus. Love from afar
Amen to your prayer! How glad I am that God is my heart’s compass and the Captain of my soul. May we keep our eyes on Jesus as we take each step of faith, and remember to let Him steer us in the right direction. Love and blessings to you, dear friend! xo 💜
Psalm 116:6: “Jehovah keepeth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me”.
Indeed He does, David. How marvellous it is to be seen, known, loved and saved by God! 😊
“Maybe it’s more about yielding our souls to the Captain of our ship, than trying to keep going in our own strength.” Oh, Joy, this is so true! When I try to go on in my own strength, I get overwhelmed and just make a mess of things. But when I yield to Him I am at peace even when things around me may be chaos. I love your poem. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear sister! xoxo
Gayl, the exact same thing happens to me too. You’d think we would learn our lesson and make it a rare occurrence, yet so often we plough on regardless. May we be reminded of the supernatural peace that comes from resting in God, even if things remain chaotic on the surface. Blessings, love and hugs to you too, dear friend! xoxo 💜
Excuisitely penned! Beautiful words!
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic response to my words! Welcome to the community gathering here! I’m happy to have your company. 😊🌼
Anytime Joy!💝✨ And thank you for having me!
Exquisitely*
This post was gorgeous. Our faith should be our anchor. His love will always accompany us as we journey through life.
God bless.
Thank you, Drew! How lovely of you to stop by. It’s good to see you, dear fellow poetic friend. Has your holiday come to an end? I’m sorry I missed some of your posts. In seeking to complete and publish my book I haven’t had much spare energy for anything else. Bless you. 😊
Best of luck with your book. That takes precedence over blog reading. Please continue writing, editng, and all of the wonderful thing you have to do to get this book finished. I am sure it will be inspiring (much like yur posts).
I am well, back from holiday. A little pouting here. Staying inspired thank God.
Blessings
Thanks, Drew! It’s actually just been published as an e-book and I hope to have a paperback copy available soon. It’s called Embracing Hope: Soul Food to Help Chase Away the Blues, and it’s an eclectic mix of poetry, reflections and blessings. I can see you’re staying inspired. I’m always amazed by your prolific output! 😏
smiling. Thank you. Best of luck.
🦋💙💙💙💙💙💙
Thanks, Kne’ Asha Blue. I’m glad this post spoke to you! 🙂