Snow is falling outside my window as I sit down to write this article. I don’t have control over the snow, but I get to enjoy its beauty – a gift from God!
I spend a lot of time trying to control my life; what should I do next, where do I need to be and how much time will it take to be “on time”? I’m realizing that I have no control over this. Life happens and I often need to rethink my plans, change what I’ll do, adjust! I don’t have a problem with adjusting, but what if I change my focus in the first place? I’ve been spending daily time with the Lord to practice living life with Him.
God loves me, and He is in control. I think if I gave up my desire for control, maybe I could focus on He has for me and I could practice living life with Him. I know I am often helpless and I fall short perceiving what God has for me. I think I can do it on my own. But, sometimes it just doesn’t work out the way I want. Isn’t that most of us? I love that God is patient and unrelenting in His invitation to us. Jesus sees us and knows us. He sees us in our mess (even our self-created mess) and loves us! He always responds with compassion and mercy.
My new understanding about Jesus is that he came to serve us, not the other way around. My job isn’t to figure it out or know everything. It’s not about what I can accomplish. It’s about Jesus loving and knowing and serving me. It’s not about what I do, it’s about what Jesus has done for me. It’s a gift from God. He chooses us!
Jesus does not need me to do his work. Jesus invites me to join him in his work. Somehow, I think I’ve missed this and God has shaken me into awareness of His purpose. When I worked in Young Life during college, I did the work. It was good work and I gave glory to God, but I took credit for the kids who met Jesus or the great work I was doing. It took our Area Director to help me see what I was doing. I stepped away from Young Life and spent the time I would have been in Club with Jesus. This was one of the hardest times in my life, but it was part of my journey – practicing living life! I took this “call” from Jesus to take amazing bubble baths and read poetry and scripture.
Where are you in your journey of life?
What are you practicing?
Where do you need to take some time to be with Jesus?
The snow if falling faster and faster and I get to simply enjoy God’s creation.
- Cindy
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