Looking back now on where we are
compared to where we were, I don't know why we hesitated and talked ourselves out of doing Gods will for so long. At the time, moving to CO seemed like such a huge deal; leaving the only area I've ever known, leaving all our family, friends, a good church, stability and good money. I don't know why it seemed like such a hard decision at the time. Maybe we had little faith and weren't spiritually mature enough to make the move. Maybe we were just too comfortable and had our own agenda, trying to get out of debt first before we took the plunge. After all, that seems like a good reason to stay put, and is an honorable goal to work towards.
That's just how the enemy works. He sees what God is calling us to, he sees our potential and what we will become if we follow God and stay on the straight and narrow, and we then become a threat to him and his plans. So, he makes it a point to distract us, to put people, things or circumstances in our paths to discourage us, convince us that following God is too risky, he places words of doubt in our heads saying "what if this doesn't work out, how will you get the money, find a job, a place to live...." and if we are not careful, we will be led astray like a sheep being led to the slaughter.
Most people want the benefits and blessings of following the Lord, but too many people aren't willing to walk in I obedience, forsake ALL others, simply stop allowing their flesh and feelings to control them, and tell themselves NO! We will tell God no or not now...maybe not in those exact words but with our actions or lack thereof we do, therefore obeying the lusts, cravings and desires of our flesh. The bible says we are to be led and controlled by the spirit. Our flesh and spirit are constantly at war with one another. Our flesh never wants to do the things of God or anything good, so it will fight us at every turn and try and convince us just because something doesn't "feel" right or hurts, that we can't possibly do it. I have learned that sometimes things do hurt, especially in Gods kingdom. We are to crucify our flesh, and in doing so we lay ourselves down on the alter. The only problem is that our flesh constantly tries to crawl off the alter! Growth in Gods economy sometimes hurts, is uncomfortable and he asks us to do things that hurt, don't make sense in the natural or that will ultimately break our flesh and the grip it has on us.
My purpose in writing this is to say that we finally crossed over, believed God, fought our flesh and feelings, stood on the thing that is more true than our senses (the word of God) and finally obeyed the Lords leading and calling. What seemed like a big deal at the time actually wasn't such a big deal! Questions that we had and things we needed, God has and still is providing for us! Sure leaving was hard, but our faith, family, marriage and walks with God have never been better or stronger! When God calls you to something bigger than yourself, don't be afraid. He may not show you the whole plan, but he will give you the courage to push through, the determination to stand against opposition and provide everything you need if you are willing and you remain in Him. I can honestly say, without renewing my mind and constantly hearing/speaking the word of truth, I doubt I would've been willing to risk everything for the Lord when he said "GO!" Take God at his word. His word will stand the test of time and will never, ever fail you!
This blog was created to challenge our way of thinking, the way we perceive things, and to ultimately point us towards God. In reading my blog, I challenge you to step outside of your normal way of thinking, expect to see the goodnes of God, to possibly see things in a new light, and to not be limited to our own perceptions.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Where's Your Treasure?
Tonight, as I lay in bed, I was overwhelmed and moved to tears thinking about my kids. My oldest will be 7.......7 in a week and a half, which means we only have 11 more years left with them, which doesn't seem like enough time at all. There are so many things I wish I could go back and change as a mother; words I wish I could erase, reactions I wish I never had, tones that were never used and even thoughts I wish I'd never thought.
Children are a blessing from the Lord, a gift he has given us. I know I haven't always thought about them in that way, and tonight I felt the Lord giving me a picture of them. I saw them as a beautiful treasure box, God handing them to me, and me wanting to take the very best care of it that I could. In reality, if someone gave us an expensive and valuable treasure, we would do everything in our power to protect it, keep it safe, make sure it was well taken care of, to not let anyone mess with it, put it in a safe spot, and would take any means necessary to make sure nothing by any means would get to it. If we would do that for a material possession, why don't we do it more often for our own children? Why do we misuse them with our words or actions? Why don't we protect their gateways, their eyes, ears, and hearts more, making sure they aren't exposed to things that are inappropriate and being written on their hearts, being a better example to them, acting in love and patience instead of reacting with anger and yelling?
The Lord not only gives them to us, but he entrusts us to take good care of them as he would us. I love my kids, but I haven't always valued them the way they should be with my actions or words. I am still working on my words, trying to speak life and encouragement, not reacting when I'm feeling upset or mad, and trying to let the Lord love them through me. Some days are good, other days my flesh gets the best of me and I blow it, like today. Even when I do blow it, I know God isn't condemning me, his mercies are new everyday (and thank God because I used all of today's up), that I get another chance tomorrow, and that his grace will cover over any mistakes I made.
Time flies by so quickly. There's nothing we can do about the past mistakes we've made, things we've done or said that we wish we could do over again.....BUT there is a tomorrow, and the day after that and so on. I pray that we will truly value others, especially those closest to us, and that we will cherish them more than any earthly possession, that we would value them with our words and actions, and that we would soak up every bit of time the Lord has given to us to be with them. After all, in a few short years they will be leaving the nest, and what memories will we have imprinted on their hearts and ours? A time that was treasured and sacred or a time that was wasted and misused? I want to be a good steward of everything the Lord has given me, especially the ones he has given to me and entrusted me with!
My challenge to you and myself is to get a new perspective about people, be more conscious of the things we do/say, how are our tones and actions impacting others, what are the words we are speaking and writing on our spouse's/kids hearts, what are we really doing with our time, and are we really valuing and treasuring the gifts God has given us?
Children are a blessing from the Lord, a gift he has given us. I know I haven't always thought about them in that way, and tonight I felt the Lord giving me a picture of them. I saw them as a beautiful treasure box, God handing them to me, and me wanting to take the very best care of it that I could. In reality, if someone gave us an expensive and valuable treasure, we would do everything in our power to protect it, keep it safe, make sure it was well taken care of, to not let anyone mess with it, put it in a safe spot, and would take any means necessary to make sure nothing by any means would get to it. If we would do that for a material possession, why don't we do it more often for our own children? Why do we misuse them with our words or actions? Why don't we protect their gateways, their eyes, ears, and hearts more, making sure they aren't exposed to things that are inappropriate and being written on their hearts, being a better example to them, acting in love and patience instead of reacting with anger and yelling?
The Lord not only gives them to us, but he entrusts us to take good care of them as he would us. I love my kids, but I haven't always valued them the way they should be with my actions or words. I am still working on my words, trying to speak life and encouragement, not reacting when I'm feeling upset or mad, and trying to let the Lord love them through me. Some days are good, other days my flesh gets the best of me and I blow it, like today. Even when I do blow it, I know God isn't condemning me, his mercies are new everyday (and thank God because I used all of today's up), that I get another chance tomorrow, and that his grace will cover over any mistakes I made.
Time flies by so quickly. There's nothing we can do about the past mistakes we've made, things we've done or said that we wish we could do over again.....BUT there is a tomorrow, and the day after that and so on. I pray that we will truly value others, especially those closest to us, and that we will cherish them more than any earthly possession, that we would value them with our words and actions, and that we would soak up every bit of time the Lord has given to us to be with them. After all, in a few short years they will be leaving the nest, and what memories will we have imprinted on their hearts and ours? A time that was treasured and sacred or a time that was wasted and misused? I want to be a good steward of everything the Lord has given me, especially the ones he has given to me and entrusted me with!
My challenge to you and myself is to get a new perspective about people, be more conscious of the things we do/say, how are our tones and actions impacting others, what are the words we are speaking and writing on our spouse's/kids hearts, what are we really doing with our time, and are we really valuing and treasuring the gifts God has given us?
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