today's beginning

We often talk about how life can change on a dime - sometimes devastatingly tragic, sometimes just not according to our plans, which is the case today.

As I was preparing to leave for Crossroads, we got word that electricity was down - so our starting times are delayed a little while.

I had listed each point of what I needed to get accomplished this morning - mostly organizing administrative stuff, but I find myself instead in my favorite spot - on my deck!

I started my day yesterday in the same place assuming the Lord had something for me, and it turned out that my prayers yesterday supported everything that ended up happening - unscheduled things - things that could have been negative or positive - things that felt negative as the day went on.

But when I asked the Lord to see things through an eternal perspective - it seemed completely insignificant and the Lord allowed me to move through it, and here I am laying my day down again.  The negative stuff I'm referring to, was nothing big, so I'm not trying to sound all mysterious and make you feel sorry for me - it was just stuff that didn't feel good, that felt repetitive and old.

To picture the Lord 'way up high' looking down (not theologically correct I'm sure), knowing He can see all the dumb tiny things that we focus on and how they fit into His plan makes it important to keep moving through Him.  I picture Him seeing so easily how my decisions fit into eternity, and picture His disappointment when I choose the lesser path - the compromising path.  And in some cases, the easy path.

His plan will be fulfilled, with our without my cooperation.  That gives me confidence - and I praise His Holy name for a new day of communion with Him again.

All I care about is that my life speaks of Him, that nothing I do pulls people's attention away from Him, and that my life encourages everyone I have contact with today.  


Titus 3:1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Can you even image how our surroundings would be affected if we lived this way?  Only through total submission to Him will I take steps today into this passage and into the possibilities of eternally important options.  Ready, set, go!

discouragement

Man, the enemy knows exactly how to stop me dead in my tracks.

Discouragement.

I allow it to rob me...

of all creativity

all motivation

all confidence

all happiness

My determination is replaced by "it's never enough" and thoughts of incompetence.

My head totally knows it's a choice to allow it to affect me versus just learning from it.

But my heart won't let go.

It can be the most simple thing - a misunderstanding with a friend, something I considered creative that is rejected or made fun of or just a job that I don't do in an excellent way.

The enemy grabs it and dangles it in front of my eyes and I can see nothing else.

Discouraged is a lonely place to be.

But, the defense I have is an eternal perspective.

I force myself to snatch it from the hands of discouragement and throw it into the arms of the only One in whom I rest.

Never failing

Never critical

Never unforgiving

Never grudge-holding

Always encouraging

And with the choice made to look at how insignificant these discouraging things have been -

I realize they have no lasting significance.

It's already forgotten in Him.

I force myself back into the "try" of significant accomplishment refusing to remain in trivial.  

I continue to be available to His calling whatever that is ....forever.

my day off

I was SO anxious to clean out all of my flower gardens this morning.  Not so - heavy rain has hit Mansfield.  And so with MY plans forced to changed I was not a happy camper!

Then I turned on TV and began to see the horrifying images of the tornado damage west of us.  One shot showed damage to 2,000 buildings, mostly personal homes.  Can you imagine?  Perspective!

My very, very limited perspective affects my reactions daily.  IF I could see the big picture with each decision I make I suspect things might look very different in my life, my reactions to circumstances much more controlled or at least more eternal focused.  I would not choose to know the future even if given the opportunity, but it would definitely be interesting to see how my seemingly insignificant choices move me away from the best God has for me.  I am not interested in second best - I want my life to count!

So as my plans fell through for today - I will give Him today and see what happens...who knows, maybe my attic will get cleaned out.  Ok maybe some laundry done - while smiling!  ha ha

Live your day for Him!

after last night

I have measured each action and thought carefully today. It's really something to try and stay fully aware of how you use each moment of your day.

Not perfect of course, but much more careful than most days. Not terribly difficult since I was home almost all day. I studied from Beth Moore's John study today. Wow! When you start down the path of listening, God responds loudly! Here is an excerpt from today's reading..."God takes us places we never intended to go. Those are places where He will reveal Himself to us in ways we didn't even know He existed. One reason He takes us to places we've never been is to show us He's NOT LIKE ANYONE ELSE."

Beth Moore talked about when Jesus was transfiguring Himself before the three disciples it was to show them "I am not like you. " They walked and talked with Him and still they acted as if he was somewhat like them - how ridiculous! I have to admit I have thought as I read this portion in the past how dumb they must have been when witnessing miracles to still not get it. But, how different am I?

Jesus has lived, died and risen again. God has given me the entire Bible account of creation clear through the future! I have less excuse then they did. I have no excuse to still go about my day as if it belongs to me...back to last night, I want an eternal perspective and there is nothing preventing me from having one. So I continue into tomorrow to again try to be open to His leading, to believe Him even more, to know without a shadow of a doubt the He is not like anyone else and to live that way. Want to join me? I dare you!