All of a sudden in my life I feel like I have doors opening to the right and the left. I am the type of person, if you have known me for like 2 seconds, to get excited at just about anything. You pitch it to me in the right way - I am probably going to go for it.
Take for example - cliff diving, hitch-hiking, the 21 birthday shot thing, skinny dipping - oh well you get the picture - and there are MUCH more - but thanks be to JESUS for saving me from the ones dealing with my sinful nature - Jury still out on the ones dealing with plain common sense....:)
So, here I am - a brand spanking new Christian on fire for Jesus, hit with so many wonderful opportunities, eager like all-get-out to jump at every one - YET....YET....wanting with all my heart to hear exactly what JESUS wants me to do....what a concept. Before Jesus (http://stephen-nicole.blogspot.com/2009/06/back-on-blog.html), I would do anything and everything that came to me. Right or wrong, whether I had time or not, whether I wanted to or was gifted to do it or not- just because I wanted to make people happy and by making people happy I would gain a personal uplift. I lived for the pat on the back and A+ marks of approval. That was until Feb. 19, 2009.
My life shifted from thinking about Nicole - to meditating on Jesus. It shifted from desperately seeking approval from anyone and everyone to resting in God's unconditional love and security. Somebody once told me that I can NEVER DISAPPOINT GOD. HE LOVES ME THAT MUCH - I now believe that with my whole heart and desire to live in that truth everyday of my life.
So, what does living in God's love have to do with all of these Life Opportunities....?
1. HE has a plan for me. His plan is good. His plan is fruitful. His plan is perfect. In order for me to follow His plan - I must be close to Him, listening for the Holy Spirit to guide me and have my whole heart open to hearing a YES or a NO concerning each opportunity.
2. HE knows exactly how I tick. He knows how much rest I need, how much time I need with my hubby and babies, how much money we need, now much friend time I need, how much ME time I need....NOTHING HE HAS PLANNED FOR ME SHOULD BE AT WAR WITH EACH OTHER. I have heard this from two people here in the last few months which speaks RIGHT to my heart. "All things work together for the GOOD of those who love God...." Its a Bible Verse - I believe it....and my heart is learning it....again - this is where being in turn to the Holy Spirit's leading is key so that I can say YES to what He wants and NO to opportunities that are meant for someone else....
3. Don't TAKE THINGS SO SERIOUSLY - Jesus came to die for my sins that I may "have life and live it to its fullest" He also don't want us to "don't worry about everyday life - can all your worries add a single moment to your life? (Matt. 6) - so as I am getting myself all worked up about which thing to say yet to which to say no to....I hear Jesus say -
And now, may the God of PEACE, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, EQUIP you with all you need for doing HIS WILL. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, ALL THAT IS PLEASING TO HIM. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with HIS BLOOD." Hebrews 13:20-21
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Maybe this made sense - maybe not - but it all comes down to this -
My heart longs to be close to Jesus, for others to come to know HIS LOVE and do what He lovingly, hand-crafted for me to do....in the past I put my identity in the things I did FOR Jesus but now my identity IS IN Jesus. So, when I am taking a look at all these great opportunities laid out before me and THANKING God for them - my ear is not listening for ways that will impress people or make myself look good. Instead my ear is to My Maker to guide me - and that gives me a peace and rest to trust Him.
P.S. THE GReaT thing is that Jesus wants all of us to have a life FULL of opportunities ....what a great life....:)
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P.P.S THIS made me laugh SO hard....woman....it begins at birth, huh? This could have easily been Kylie...or....me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRRkJ95RxIo
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