Doing our part and letting go

"Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight."
-Joab to his brother Abishai, in 1 Chronicles 19

Maybe this isn't the most commonly referenced story in all of Scripture, but there's a principle here that hit me today. Joab and Abishai prepare their armies and agree to give the battle everything they've got for the sake of God. At the same time, they also accept that their resources are finite and the ultimate outcome is in the Lord's hands. Are there circumstances in our lives where we could be putting this into practice? I know I tend to either try to take it all into my hands or take a fatalistic view and resign myself to whatever happens. I think, though, that the key to this is in the balance. Isn't it always?

Where you are

Where are you? Is God calling you in a very obvious way to change situations? Follow Him, if He is. Otherwise, where you are is your calling for the time being. Maybe you have big dreams for the future, places to go, plans to fulfill. That is all fine. Or maybe you are exactly where you've dreamed of being. Is it everything you imagined? Does it fall short? Regardless, right now, you are where you are, and this is your only chance at this particular set of circumstances. Live it before it's gone.

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."
-Jim Elliot