Doing the will of God or your own?

So this past week was a rather hard one at work and while I know I'm in the place God currently has for me, I always wonder if I'm totally walking in purpose. I mean I regularly get distracted trying to be everything I feel people need and I wonder if I'm doing too much.  Am I hindering someone's growth by stepping into situations that are not mine to fix?  I never want to step out of my lane and I definitely don't want to block the hand or direction of God (Rom 11:33) in someone else's life. 

This weekend, I participated in a Women's Conference and I've been questioning my whole pandemic experience.  While so many have had losses during this time (and I've shared some of them), I've never really slowed down....work has been busier than ever; I've been working longer hours; I've been busier in ministry than I've ever been; and I wonder if I have it right.  The Lord says His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matt 11:28-30), and I wonder if I’m actually taking His yoke or my own.  

Last weekend, I finally took a rest after a long period of doing but the week was busier than it’s been in the recent past and I feel as if I have not been still enough to know exactly what God has for me to do.  So I realized I've been busy about the work but haven't confirmed it is what God wants from me.  I heard a minister say this weekend that sometimes God is more pleased with the one thing He has for us, than all the other busy “good” work we do (Isa 55:8-9).  So this week as I get ready to begin a detail in another job position, I will be doing some self-reflection.  

I'm learning that even though we may be doing lots of good things, it may not be what God has told us to do.  Some things are us.  Sometimes we do things because we feel like we have to but many of them are self-imposed assignments and not things God has called us to. We need to make sure we know the difference and can discern God's leading because we may be doing things that while they appear good are not things God has given us.  We need to be intentional and not just busy.

Where are You Spending Your Time?

This weekend was the first one I’ve had in a long time, when I didn’t have anywhere to be or anything I had to do.  I spent much of it sleeping and laying around….not sure that was the best thing, but I do feel rested in a way I haven’t in a long time.  I know I’ve said many times we need to spend more time with the Lord in His Word and my behavior this weekend doesn’t change that.  Even though I didn’t spend a lot of time actively studying my bible, the Lord was consistently in my thoughts.  I had some time of contemplation this weekend.  A big question that came to me was where I am really spending my time.  

Back in February, we started family bible study and we are still going strong.  Since I teach each week, no matter what is going on, I have to do some studying so I’m prepared to teach each Thursday night.  That has been a blessing to me.  I study because I want to be prepared to teach God’s Word, not just from what I know, but from what God reveals to me when I study (2 Tim 2:15; Josh 1:8).  But, am I wasting some time, too?  Absolutely.  

For instance, a large part of yesterday was spent playing some games on my phone and tablet.  I know, don’t tell anyone, but there are a few of them that I could be considered addicted to.  I try not to play too often, but I can easily get caught up in them.  So I have to put myself on a time limit or I have to take myself off them for a while.  I also spent some time reading fiction.  I love reading but some of it just doesn’t provide any real value other than the opportunity to blank out for a while.  So, I have to be careful that I’m not pulled off track or course when I allow my mind to wander (1 Cor 10:12-13).  

For this reason, we have to be intentional about our lives and how we spend our time.  We are here for a purpose and while sometimes we all need rest, we have to be careful about how we plan that rest.  Ultimately, we were created for God’s glory (Isa 43:7) and to praise Him (Isa 43:21).  Because of sin, we now have the purpose of witnessing of His goodness and testifying so that others will be pointed to Him.  It’s our job to spread the Good News of Jesus so others might be saved (Mark 16:15-16).  We have to make sure we’re not allowing ourselves to be distracted from this goal.  Our time is not our own (I Cor 6:19-20) and we need to make sure we are in God’s will and following His direction.  

Are You Taking Care of Yourself? (Part 2)

Back in September I wrote about taking care of yourself but really focused on the physical body – eating right, resting, etc.  I didn’t really write about the whole person and that’s where we’re going today.  Every day we make decisions about what’s important to us and whatever that is gets our time and attention.  But how often, do we really think about making sure we are healthy - mentally, physically and spiritually?  There are many parts of us and each part has to be nurtured and cared for so we can continue to fulfill our purpose and give to others.  Yes, God created us with purpose and it requires work, but the bible calls for us to present ourselves as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God (Rom 12:1-2).  If that’s true, and it is, then we’re required to take care of ourselves.  Do you think God will accept a run down, uncared for sacrifice?  Look at the examples in the old testament – God expected the first and the best as a sacrifice and when he didn’t get it, he rejected the sacrifice (remember Cain and Abel).  

Yesterday, I participated in a self-care event by the women’s ministry at my church.  The purpose was to provide a safe space to share tools and resources to help women better care for their whole being – mind, body and soul.  Three dynamic experts spoke at the event and they imparted information that was pertinent and necessary for us to be whole.  There were a few things I want to share from my notes that I hope will help you on your journey.   

• Our mind processes everything before we feel or do anything.  Our speech and actions reveal our thoughts.  So if our thoughts are negative, it will show up in what we say and do.  Our brain gets wired based on what it is exposed to, i.e., if we continue to expose ourselves to wrong teaching or negative speech or things, our brain will be wired to the feelings and speech and actions associated with them.  Likewise, if we continue to expose ourselves to the Word of God, right teaching and positive speech, our brain will be wired to the feelings and speech and actions associated with them.  
• We need to develop a plan to take care of our mental health and it may include therapy.  Therapy is a good thing.  It doesn’t mean we’re crazy or there is something especially wrong with us, but we have issues or trauma.  We are all imperfect beings and we all need help at times – if only to understand ourselves.  Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone when things feel overwhelming or if you just need a safe space to evaluate your feelings (Prov 13:10).  We should get the help we need early and often, so we’re not dealing with more difficult circumstances later. 
• Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) – it needs to be a healthy place for Him to live.  We need to eat all our colors – more produce than meat.  Get in as many superfoods as possible to fight off the effects of our environment and the abnormal cells that develop.  We need to get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight (or get to a healthy weight – note to self).  There were other tips, but let’s start here.  
• We need to regularly visit our primary care doctor to make sure all our systems are working and then follow the recommendation of our physician.  If we suffer from let’s say high blood pressure – take the medication.  We can’t get the advice then not follow it and expect good results.  
• Slow down and take inventory of what your body is telling you.  If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it or self-diagnose.  Get some professional insight and be open with the physician about the symptoms and concerns.  We can’t allow embarrassment or fear to keep us from knowing what’s going on with us.  Only then can we deal with it. 
• We have to BE HONEST with ourselves about our need for care.  As stated earlier we are all imperfect and we all need help.  Hello!?!  That’s why we need Jesus.  We cannot do this on our own.  Until we’re honest with ourselves, we can’t address any concerns/issues or any areas of vulnerability.  We also need to be honest with ourselves about who we are in Christ and about what God says about us, even when we don’t see it in our everyday lives.
• As children of God, saved by His son, we need to stay in the Word of God because it is our standard.  If we want to be transformed (Rom 12:2), our minds have to be renewed and that comes by the Word of God.  As we study His Word, we have to pray for insight and understanding as we listen to what He’s telling us (Psalm 119:10-11).  We have to be patient because God speaks in His timing and not ours.  We should have an urgency about getting into His presence so we can learn of Him and hide His Word in our hearts. 

At the end of day, we have to take steps for our own self-care.  It will not just happen haphazardly.  God gave us free will and we get to choose the things that are important to us.  I hope and pray this will help you make your own care a way of life, because you can’t take care of those you love if you’re not healthy yourself. 

Lessons from the First Family!

Happy Independence Day!!!! I hope you and your family are safe and that this is the best holiday weekend in a long time. 

So after more than a year, one branch of my family got together this weekend at an outside event to just be together.  Prior to COVID, we got together at least once a year, maybe two, so this was a huge for us.  We were outside and even though I’m fully vaccinated, I wore my face covering because 1) I don’t want to get sick or get anyone sick; and 2) as a safety professional, I need to set the example.  It was a wonderful event with good food and good company.  And while I may not agree with every choice a family member makes, I love them all.  As I think back over today’s event, I turn to the first family and think about the lessons in the story. 

When God created man, He saw that it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone and He made him a helpmeet.  Then after they were kicked out of the garden, they had children. This was the first institution God created beyond marriage.  These were the first relationships developed and documented in the Bible. And they teach us quite a bit.  While we love our family, they can support us in wrong doing which is contrary to God’s word.  

See Genesis 3.  Have you ever thought what would have happened had Adam stepped in when Eve was having her conversation with Satan? He was the head of the family, yet he didn’t step into his rightful place.  The whole world has paid the price for Millennia. What I learn from this is that we have to speak up when we see someone going down a wrong path and not just go along to make them happy or because we agree.  We have to do more.  We have to desire more than recognition or we have to seek God in what we do, because He knows everything and we will be held accountable for actions we take.  

When I look at Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16), I see the destruction jealousy and anger can bring.  Cain killed Abel because his sacrifice was not accepted like Abel’s was.  I find it interesting that He didn’t seek God’s counsel on what he’d done wrong with his sacrifice.  Nor did He ask God for forgiveness.  He in his pride and envy killed his brother, not over what Abel did, but over what He didn’t do.  Do you notice similarities today?  People who have made bad choices take out their frustrations on those who have done the opposite – those people who’ve chosen not to do the work try to take from those who have.  

It’s a constant battle to deal with our own frustrations, but we rarely look at ourselves and determine our part in the situation we find ourselves.  We like to blame others and that can be our downfall, because at the end of the day, we are responsible for the choices we make and the consequences that follow.  Cain would have done well to take a long look at himself and make changes to his life instead of killing his brother.  In what ways are you avoiding dealing with your own personal issue because you don’t want to deal with your part in it?  Stop it.  Until we face the truth about ourselves, we can’t be free.