I have felt like I have literally been in a whirlwind the
last 5 or 6 weeks. I have involved myself in so many things that I haven’t know
which way was up or which path I am supposed to be on. This is no one’s fault
but my own; the problem is that I enjoyed everything that I had committed
myself to. It’s my “love language” I guess you could say in the area of serving,
and serving I did right into exhaustion.
God has given me an opportunity recently and unfortunately I
am experiencing the preparation of it with many obstacles. I realized a week
ago that instead of feeling God’s pleasure over my doing I felt almost a
presence of disappointment. I know have to be careful in saying that but maybe
it was just a disappointment in myself.
I think I have allowed busyness to divert me from what God
has laid on my heart for me to do. I’m not giving all the credit to the enemy
here, but I have learned that he doesn’t always try to lead you astray to something
horrible. Sometimes he just pulls you in a direction that leaves you busy and non-effective.
It’s a hard place to be, it’s a hard place to walk away from but no less it’s
important to evaluate your circumstances and ask God to take back the wheel and
press on toward His plan…not ours.
I have had to walk away from a few things this last month
that have been so hard. The Sanguine in me has nearly died a dozen times
letting go of what is exciting and fun and focus on the things of commitment
and solitude. Make no mistake; my quiet time with God has far exceeded any joy
I have ever experienced before! I mean that with every ounce of truth that I
can offer you; sometimes it just takes an act of God, literally, to get me
still enough to listen.
I’ve missed my moments where I can sit back and read the Word
and soak up a fresh vision for my service that God has placed me here in this
crazy dark world. I was painfully reminded yesterday during our church service
that everything we have is God’s. All of it…and I had that all to uncomfortable
gut check as I walked into my closet that afternoon and stared at all that I
have. It’s not what I have that matters; it is what it means to me that is
important to God.
I wonder if we are honest with ourselves would we really say
that we are living out our full potential as believers in Christ for Him. Or
would we look at our life and realize that we are just busy. As I had mentioned
I had to step down from some things recently and can I tell you that before I
even experienced one week of relief from it my son’s baseball started!!! I know
this will be too dramatic for some of you but I had a minor meltdown over it,
ok since I know my husband reads this and a friend that I called in the middle
of it I should go ahead and say a major meltdown over it. I’ve wiped away and
walked away from all that I know to do, I’ve recommitted my “God time” and I’m
trying to stay focused. I’m asking for prayer for my commitment and strength and
then I am letting God take over.
Our Pastor said yesterday that he believes that God is more
concerned with our holiness than our happiness, I needed to hear that. I am the
happiest when I am living my life holy and honoring to God. This is what I am
choosing to focus on. Being holy and leaving the being happy up to him. So
today as I scrub another toilet and wash who knows how many more loads of
clothes I will ask God what it is that he wants from me and how I am to handle
the things of his that he has entrusted to me. And by all means I am going to
be a lot more thankful for the things that I have!
I pray that today we have a new understanding of how blessed
we are. I wonder if we were to really step
out of the life we live and choose to see the need all around us could we ever
be the same. Would we splurge like we do? Would we take for granted the things
that are such a luxury? Would we honor him with our time, treasure and talent?
I’m not asking you to give up everything and feel guilty over
every little thing that you splurge over. I’ve had my eye on a cute little bag
for the last few weeks and I have to tell you that after what I heard yesterday
and the experience I’ve had the last 5 or 6 weeks I’m not rushing to the store
to purchase it. I’m not saying I won’t (grin) I’m just saying a healthy dose of
perspective does us good at times. As I watched the news this morning I sighed
at the junk they were coming up with. I’m so sick of hearing how awful it is that
the tabloids are defacing another celebrity by posting nude photos of them or
how the weather team is tracking a thunderstorm with one lightning strike – oh wow,
really one…what to do?!?! I’ll tell you what to do, don’t be naïve over what is
happening in our communities and world, but instead of spending so much focus
on the things we have no control over pick up the remote and turn off the tv,
pour yourself another cup of coffee (if you don’t drink it start! Just kidding)
and open up the thing that God has given you to really make a change...a difference.
Stay in the word. Read your Bible! There is no greater story…no better way to
be equipped and effective.
So my question for you today is this, What can we do this
week to take the focus off of ourselves and our real life problems and be willing
to look outside our circumstances and minister to someone else? That is my
challenge I give to you (myself included). I’d love to hear your stories.
This is what we can do through the love of Jesus Christ…
Isaiah 61
The Spirit of the
Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
This is what we can do through the love of Jesus Christ…
