Was watching this clip this morning, and it helped remind me that unless I make surrendering to God a daily practise, all my efforts to control my own life just turn into heavy, depressing baggage.
How long has it been since you turned all your "stuff" over to God, and allowed Him to not just be a helpline but the Lord (in control) of your life?
He's always willing to take our baggage & replace it with joy... just ask Him.
Love Brooke
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
If not now, when?
When I think about the dreams I have for the future and the plans I have for my life, sometimes I find it very hard to be patient and wait on God's timing.
I mean, He has placed such exciting desires in my heart that I can't wait to get started on, but then He asks me to wait... and wait... and wait! Patience has never been one of my strengths, so the little I have gets tested - a lot! I guess that's partly why He requires it of me so much - so as to build patience into my character.
But what about when our dreams never seem to come about? Is God saying No for now, or No for ever? Sometimes I want to let out my inner-5 year old and scream at the sky "If not now, WHEN??!!" (As if tantrums and tears ever accomplish anything!) What do we do when we feel the Lord gently reminding our spirit "for My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways"?
For myself, I have found it helpful to remember 3 things...
- There is always something I can do today to bring tomorrow closer
Rather than focusing on what I don't have and where I wish I was, I can choose to find something to do right here and now that is a small stepping stone to future dreams. That picture of being a published author can be brought one day closer when I practise my writing skills and upload a new blog post. That vision of being a good mother someday starts now by eating healthier and looking after my body in preparation.
- Turn my attention off myself and bless someone else
When I am constantly thinking about myself, I overlook the fact that there are many other people out there that God desires to bless, maybe even by using me to help bring a dream of theirs into being. God's love is all about passing it on, and when we allow ourselves to walk in acts of service and humilty, we get to be part of the much bigger picture that God is orchestrating. Which is always better than the tiny little worlds we make for ourselves anyway.
- Keep reading
When I first read Isaiah 55:8 I must say that I found it rather discouraging - what hope do I ever have for knowing God and His plans at all if His plans and thoughts are higher than mine?
But when I kept reading, I felt a wonderful peace knowing that its a good thing He's in control:
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seek to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
So when the Lord says that the plans He has for us are good and prosperous, rest assured that goodness and prosperity are on their way - its as guaranteed as God's word, which is always true. He is never late, but never early either.
In the meantime, we're all here waiting together (!)...
Love Brooke
I mean, He has placed such exciting desires in my heart that I can't wait to get started on, but then He asks me to wait... and wait... and wait! Patience has never been one of my strengths, so the little I have gets tested - a lot! I guess that's partly why He requires it of me so much - so as to build patience into my character.
But what about when our dreams never seem to come about? Is God saying No for now, or No for ever? Sometimes I want to let out my inner-5 year old and scream at the sky "If not now, WHEN??!!" (As if tantrums and tears ever accomplish anything!) What do we do when we feel the Lord gently reminding our spirit "for My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways"?
For myself, I have found it helpful to remember 3 things...
- There is always something I can do today to bring tomorrow closer
Rather than focusing on what I don't have and where I wish I was, I can choose to find something to do right here and now that is a small stepping stone to future dreams. That picture of being a published author can be brought one day closer when I practise my writing skills and upload a new blog post. That vision of being a good mother someday starts now by eating healthier and looking after my body in preparation.
- Turn my attention off myself and bless someone else
When I am constantly thinking about myself, I overlook the fact that there are many other people out there that God desires to bless, maybe even by using me to help bring a dream of theirs into being. God's love is all about passing it on, and when we allow ourselves to walk in acts of service and humilty, we get to be part of the much bigger picture that God is orchestrating. Which is always better than the tiny little worlds we make for ourselves anyway.
- Keep reading
When I first read Isaiah 55:8 I must say that I found it rather discouraging - what hope do I ever have for knowing God and His plans at all if His plans and thoughts are higher than mine?
But when I kept reading, I felt a wonderful peace knowing that its a good thing He's in control:
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seek to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."
So when the Lord says that the plans He has for us are good and prosperous, rest assured that goodness and prosperity are on their way - its as guaranteed as God's word, which is always true. He is never late, but never early either.
In the meantime, we're all here waiting together (!)...
Love Brooke
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)