I am in a unique place in my life right now. It's an exciting place, actually. I am finding that in this place of true tested faith that I am learning a lot about who I am. I have found out a lot about who I am in some past experiences and it wasn't always that pretty. In fact, I have had my character tested in my past, and I didn't quite pass that test. But guess what?? God allows everything in our lives to happen for a purpose...and He ultimately wants to use it for good. As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I am choosing to get up from the "gate" of my past and move forward allowing God to move on my behalf.
Why do we often lack the ability to walk by faith? We are often paralyzed by fear. I know that I have been paralyzed by fear and that I have allowed lies to dictate the direction of my life. Mark Twain said this: "Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear." God doesn't give us the spirit of fear. He gives us the spirit of a sound mind.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Above My Head...
Well, many times we think we have things figured out...we sit back, put our hands behind our head, and release a sigh of relief because we finally think all is perfectly set! Yeah, about that...just when I think I have figured my life out, I am reminded of a scripture verse from Isaiah 55:8 that basically says that God's thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. In other words, just because I think I know what is next in my life or because I am confident a certain "plan" is going to unfold perfectly in my life doesn't mean that is what God has in mind! I just knew that NYC was going to be a destination that was going to last a long time for me. I planned on working in a non-profit Christian ministry out there...touching lives and helping people...and making a difference every single day. The truth is, God had different plans. Do I completely understand and know what those plans are? NOPE! However, I am willing to follow and allow God to mold me into the person He wants me to be.
Even though I can't think as highly as God...and even though my ways aren't His ways usually...I do know this-He promises me that if I seek Him, keep my eyes fixed on Him, love Him with all my heart...He will keep me in perfect peace. This is very true in my life right now. I have moved back to Ohio from the heart of NYC. Most people would ask "why would you ever come back to Ohio?"...this is a fair question, and one that prior to moving to the City, I didn't forsee having to answer. I thought NYC could possibly be a permanent destination stop for me. But the answer to that question is simple, really. I didn't think twice about moving back home. I didn't feel that NYC was a failure, that it was something I regretted, nor was it a big mistake. NYC is part of my journey. It is an amazing city, and I got to live there 32 days and explore as much of it as I could squeeze in. Maybe God will send me back there someday. I would be happy to return! However, in the meantime, God has given me beautiful, perfect peace. I know that being back in Ohio for however long God chooses is on purpose and will unfold each moment I am here. I can only live in the moment.
If my NYC adventure has taught me anything, it has taught me this...live in the moment. I have caught a glimpse of how God can and wants to provide for me. I am learning to set aside worry and depend on God. If you know me at all, I am a huge worrier! I would worry about how much I worried! Yeah, I am one of THOSE people!! ;) Through the experience of moving to NYC, my faith was strengthened...I began to trust God with everything- not just the things I thought "He could handle".
Matthew 6:26 says this," Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" I love this verse...it's very humbling! Seriously, if God can provide for the birds of the air, why in the world wouldn't He provide for me? He loves me and wants the best for me. I am learning that God will provide for me...and while in NYC He proved to be faithful to that promise. He is such a provider! Worry stems from a lack of faith and trust. Think of it this way...let's say you ask a friend to pick up your dry cleaning at 5pm on Monday. They of course agree and assure you that they will pick your dry cleaning up at the said time and the said day...instead of marking that off your list of things to do, you choose to worry about it...afraid that that person will forget and then you won't have your clothes as promised! Now, the reason you are worried about that person forgetting or not following through with your request is because you lack faith in them...you don't feel that you can really trust them to do what you need. Our God is much higher and much more faithful to us...He can be trusted and relied upon. He will never fail us. Once we grasp this concept, worry becomes a thing of the past!
I may not know what tomorrow holds...all I can know is in the very moment I am in. God is a good God. He loves us and wants us to experience the beautiful things that this life can offer. I am going to continue to move forward as best I can with the help of God. Only He can guide me through the daily moments of my life. I will continue my journey and this blog...and I hope you will join me! ;)
Even though I can't think as highly as God...and even though my ways aren't His ways usually...I do know this-He promises me that if I seek Him, keep my eyes fixed on Him, love Him with all my heart...He will keep me in perfect peace. This is very true in my life right now. I have moved back to Ohio from the heart of NYC. Most people would ask "why would you ever come back to Ohio?"...this is a fair question, and one that prior to moving to the City, I didn't forsee having to answer. I thought NYC could possibly be a permanent destination stop for me. But the answer to that question is simple, really. I didn't think twice about moving back home. I didn't feel that NYC was a failure, that it was something I regretted, nor was it a big mistake. NYC is part of my journey. It is an amazing city, and I got to live there 32 days and explore as much of it as I could squeeze in. Maybe God will send me back there someday. I would be happy to return! However, in the meantime, God has given me beautiful, perfect peace. I know that being back in Ohio for however long God chooses is on purpose and will unfold each moment I am here. I can only live in the moment.
If my NYC adventure has taught me anything, it has taught me this...live in the moment. I have caught a glimpse of how God can and wants to provide for me. I am learning to set aside worry and depend on God. If you know me at all, I am a huge worrier! I would worry about how much I worried! Yeah, I am one of THOSE people!! ;) Through the experience of moving to NYC, my faith was strengthened...I began to trust God with everything- not just the things I thought "He could handle".
Matthew 6:26 says this," Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" I love this verse...it's very humbling! Seriously, if God can provide for the birds of the air, why in the world wouldn't He provide for me? He loves me and wants the best for me. I am learning that God will provide for me...and while in NYC He proved to be faithful to that promise. He is such a provider! Worry stems from a lack of faith and trust. Think of it this way...let's say you ask a friend to pick up your dry cleaning at 5pm on Monday. They of course agree and assure you that they will pick your dry cleaning up at the said time and the said day...instead of marking that off your list of things to do, you choose to worry about it...afraid that that person will forget and then you won't have your clothes as promised! Now, the reason you are worried about that person forgetting or not following through with your request is because you lack faith in them...you don't feel that you can really trust them to do what you need. Our God is much higher and much more faithful to us...He can be trusted and relied upon. He will never fail us. Once we grasp this concept, worry becomes a thing of the past!
I may not know what tomorrow holds...all I can know is in the very moment I am in. God is a good God. He loves us and wants us to experience the beautiful things that this life can offer. I am going to continue to move forward as best I can with the help of God. Only He can guide me through the daily moments of my life. I will continue my journey and this blog...and I hope you will join me! ;)
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