God In My Schedule

If I hit every light on green as I drive through town I get a 'rush' of sorts. I'm moving along with no interruptions or distractions, and it makes my day quite pleasant. I especially like roundabouts, where I only have to glance in one direction before effortlessly curving my way through to the other side.

Wouldn't it be convenient if our spiritual life played out this way as well? As we mindlessly approach an intersection the light would switch to green, or perhaps an arrow would light up so we knew to change course. Our children quiet in the back seat, and our to do list getting shorter. The agenda we had for the day is moving right along, and we are proud of ourselves. 

But what happens when God wants to do a little road work, and asks us to slow down? He wants to determine the speed at which we live our life. That red light up ahead may be frustrating, but God wants to quiet our hearts so he can fellowship with us.

When life comes to a standstill, pay attention to the one who is wearing the orange vest, and holding the SLOW sign. If we speed right past, the needs of those in the vicinity become a blur. We may even need to turn our reversal horn on as we back up, and take a detour that the Lord would have us take. 

He places speed bumps in our schedule for a reason. There could be a discouraged or wounded person standing on the sidewalk who is waiting for us. More than that, they are longing for a touch from the Lord, and he wants to use us to administer it.

You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me when to stop and rest. Psalm 139:3

Role Call

How are you today? Are you present? When God called out your name for role this morning did you respond with an unwavering, "Here"? Or did it take great effort just to raise your weak and weary hand toward him?

There are days when I grasp at the very things that will only suck me further into the pit of self centered living. The Lord's strong hand is hovering over the edge. I can cling to my own abilities, or immerse myself in relationship with him. Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and cling to him. For the Lord is your life. Deuteronomy 30:20a

In the process of extracting you and me from the pit, he will be revealed to a watching world. He can do anything that's on his heart through a woman who believes. 

Do you have confidence in the capabilities of God to use you for his glory? He created you and gifted you. The gifts he's given to you aren't for you. They are to be dispersed to others. 

Imagine if we arose in the morning with the goal of being gift distributors. That when he spoke our name during role call, we not only responded, but proceeded to move out from behind the desk toward those in need of his touch. Not forgetting to humbly bow out of the way, so that he alone becomes the glory receiver.

Valentine

Hope Now by Addison Road

During this holiday of hearts tinted in shades of pink and red, let's not forget the Lover of our Soul.

Doesn't our existence come down to the fact that God's love for us is brimming over? There is a freedom in knowing that we can use the words unconditional and love in the same sentence. Because of who we know, and how intimately he knows us, we have a hope and a future.

His love lets us loose to extend his truth to others. When you feel unlovely remember with confidence that, "the Lord has chosen you; to be his treasured possession." Deuteronomy 7:6

Angela Thomas Quote

"Ask God to help you take action. So many times we miss the blessing because our hearts were prompted by the Holy Spirit, and we filed it away for another time."

Pour Liquid Truth

What we pour into our children splashes back onto us.

Lately the splatters coming my way have been painful. Some have even made a distinctive sizzling sound as they hit my skin. I'd prefer to quickly wipe them off and move along, but they demand my attention. More importantly they demand my repentance.

God has given me a multitude of reasons to rejoice, and yet there are days when I slump on the couch of negativity. My daughter catapults into my lap and I leave a stain of grumpiness on her. I sprinkle my day with complaints, and grumbling pours from her lips.

If I wallow anywhere, may it be in His presence. So much so that an indentation is produced, and then filled up, by my sloshing about in His truth.

I desperately need the Lord to filter my life so that the impurities can be removed. Then what my daughter sees, and therefore splashes, will be more of Him and less of me.

When our whole being is brimming with joy despite the circumstances of life, the "children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord." Zechariah 10:7b 

God Sends And Equips

"Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes, and He will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip us well."

Alexander Maclaren

Couture

As our faith in the Lord grows, he begins an alteration process in our life.

Do you remember standing on the kitchen stool as a child while the resident seamstress brought your hem up, or reshaped your waist line? She had the nerve to ask you to remain motionless while the former garment took a new shape.

Our amazing God has asked us to hop up onto the stool, so his handiwork can be evident in the lives of his daughters. If we wiggle or get distracted by an itch, our fitting won't go so well. When we stand still and abide in him he can refashion a worn and weary life.

The pattern he produces for us has one purpose, and one purpose only. To bring him glory.

If someone were to tuck in the tag at our neckline they would get a glimpse of his signature. Our Creator, our God.

What Will I Leave Behind?

Legacy by Nicole Nordeman

Christ has placed me on this planet to leave a legacy and message of hope. The Lord's life saving truth isn't meant to be held close, but to be extended. He wants our lives to become an offering.

Have your children ever picked bouquets in the garden and presented them to you with a huge grin on their face? Even if the flower stems are broken, or the petals are wilted you accept with fervor.

How much more, in his mercy, does the Lord desire to take our unkempt and fragmented lives and use them for his glory. What kind of imprint are you leaving behind?

You show that you are a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:3