40 Faces, 40 Places: A Devotional JourneySample

Daniel from Cumbria

Sometimes whole-life discipleship looks like being honest with God in tough times.

I have a livestock farm in the Lake District. God sustained me through several difficult times: during a TB outbreak in this valley, when my wife and I struggled in our marriage, and when I lost my father, who I’d worked with every day for 14 years.

When you get to the end of yourself, you find out if God is really there. I once threw my faith in Him away. ‘If this is a blessed life with God, you can keep it,’ I said to my mum. Shortly after saying these words, I left the farmhouse and encountered my Lord. Jesus reminded me He had called me, and though I am weak, He is strong – and He was never going to let me go. Psalms talk about God's strong arm (or strong right hand). I sensed God’s strong arm reaching down into my heart. I can trust Him, and I want to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.

We try to do all our farm work as though for the Lord – managing the land and landscape, and taking care of livestock. I hope to show my neighbors that God doesn't look for perfection, as I am not that. I'm not ashamed of my Lord and will tell of Him in whom I place my trust. I want to be the same when people see me as when I’m by myself – in the light or the dark.

Reflection

As Christians, we aren’t exempt from life’s trials, troubles, or traumas. Our God doesn’t promise constant good news, but He does promise his constant company. As Daniel says, ‘when you get to the end of yourself, you find out if God is really there.’

Daniel tries to work on the farm through great days, average days, and bad days as though the Lord were his boss – because He is! He’s up for the challenge of speaking about Jesus when opportunities arise.

Daniel helpfully reminds us that we need to pray for consistency: that God would help us be the same people when we’re with others as when we’re alone.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the promise of Your presence all of my days. Thank You that even when I get to the end of myself, You are still there. Help me be consistent in my words and actions today, recognizing that You are consistent. May my work – paid or unpaid, seen or unseen – be pleasing to You today.