It seems so simple to say, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, no matter what, all will be as it should. Tides will turn, storms will come, disaster will befall us but God's plan will prevail as long as we keep in mind who is in control and who isn't.
This is truth, however it being common sense makes the deed no easier. I can't count how many times I have started out with my heart and my eyes set on God and ended up in a place He would not led me. DISTRACTION! That's my weakness, what's everyone else doing? Maybe, I should be doing that instead. Oh, what little discipline and focus I have.
My daughter had a friend over last night and they are coming off a huge fight which neither one can remember the start of. Anyway, we were talking about the mean things they said and did to each other, even though they both knew that eventually, they would make up. They both, in their own words, said that they fought dirty because that's how it's done in middle school.
OUCH, be honest how many situations can you see that the exact same reaction to our surroundings turned a God-led situation into something else? How many times have you gone with the majority because you were fearful of standing alone? That is rarely done, we just don't stand up alone against the majority, usually we will disagree in silence or turn bitter out of misplaced anger.
What about stepping out into unknown territory? How many times have you taken only God with you into a strange environment where you don't know anyone or you feel uncomfortable in? We usually will call up a friend and take them along for support.
I know allot about the cons of this thought because I live in "this world" much more than I live in the world that God calls me to. My mind and heart will both be congruent and set out on the path to God and my mind always (given the chance) takes a detour. Maybe I am so dis tractable because somewhere deep down I think I can do it better? Better than God, I hope not! Maybe, I want to follow but take my own route to get there? This is almost humorous Because I have had such a good track record and I make such good decisions? geez, the choices are getting uglier here. Maybe, it's all about trust? Do I trust God?
Do I know beyond a shadow of doubt that I am His focus? Have I delt with all of the where was He whens... and if He loved me then how could He let that happen? Or the why me's... I don't know the answer but... this will be my meditation for now..I am going to ask God to show me where my weaknesses are that I keep choosing to take a step back when He is calling me forward.
December 12, 2006
December 10, 2006
"not ever again"....
Yesterday a precious friend said this to me, "why would I start a new friendship when I got burned the last time", He said that he was happy with the friends he had and didn't want to take another chance of crashing and burning like the last time.
This translated to my heart said, I don't want to get hurt that bad again. I thought to myself about a time I said those exact words. Instead of friendship, I said I would never share my testimony ever again because I shared it with someone who was not safe and it hurt me to my core, I thought I would never recover. I could have used that pain to cut myself off and I think I actually could have kept that self-declaration and never shared my story with anyone ever again.
However, God has a very different idea about sharing ourselves with others. Whether it be as friends or sharing our journey in Christ... He calls us to share for Him not for us. He never says we won't get hurt, in fact, he says, multiple times, to guard your heart but that means against evil not to shut down your ability to further the kingdom of God out of fear or hurt.
We are called to sacrifice our wants and needs to the will of God and that includes our rights. If we make the choice to submit ourselves to God (wholly and completely), that means we have no right to choose who we share God's work in us with or who God brings to us a friends. We listen, hear God's call and just do out of obedience. We guard our hearts as not to be led astray but we trust God that He can protect us, heal our hurts and strengthen our weaknesses.
We have to look forward to what God is bringing to us and leave the past behind us. When a situation brings up past hurts or crippling pain then we have to face forward and see what God is doing in us and through us instead of getting caught in the trap of past pit dwelling. It's all about what we choose to focus on my friends. This is the only way we can go on when satan uses our past to wound us in the holy battle God calls us to fight in. Do not fail to dress in the full amour of God, our enemy knows our weakness and if given the chance... He will deeply wound us. The Good news... we have to fight the battles but the WAR IS WON!
This translated to my heart said, I don't want to get hurt that bad again. I thought to myself about a time I said those exact words. Instead of friendship, I said I would never share my testimony ever again because I shared it with someone who was not safe and it hurt me to my core, I thought I would never recover. I could have used that pain to cut myself off and I think I actually could have kept that self-declaration and never shared my story with anyone ever again.
However, God has a very different idea about sharing ourselves with others. Whether it be as friends or sharing our journey in Christ... He calls us to share for Him not for us. He never says we won't get hurt, in fact, he says, multiple times, to guard your heart but that means against evil not to shut down your ability to further the kingdom of God out of fear or hurt.
We are called to sacrifice our wants and needs to the will of God and that includes our rights. If we make the choice to submit ourselves to God (wholly and completely), that means we have no right to choose who we share God's work in us with or who God brings to us a friends. We listen, hear God's call and just do out of obedience. We guard our hearts as not to be led astray but we trust God that He can protect us, heal our hurts and strengthen our weaknesses.
We have to look forward to what God is bringing to us and leave the past behind us. When a situation brings up past hurts or crippling pain then we have to face forward and see what God is doing in us and through us instead of getting caught in the trap of past pit dwelling. It's all about what we choose to focus on my friends. This is the only way we can go on when satan uses our past to wound us in the holy battle God calls us to fight in. Do not fail to dress in the full amour of God, our enemy knows our weakness and if given the chance... He will deeply wound us. The Good news... we have to fight the battles but the WAR IS WON!
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