I don’t know about other Christians, but when God convicts me about a certain subject… it is everywhere!
It will come up in conversation; I will see it on TV, hear it on the radio or read it in a book…
Since I was a teen, I have been wondering…
(this was in my mailbox yesterday morning)
I have talked and talked and talked about this subject with my “girls”… many who are in their mid- 20s like me…
We have all had these same feelings of insignificance and confusion.
Constantly trying to figure out:
Who am I? Who do I want to be, what career do I want to have, what outreaches would I like to be a part of, what talents do I have, what kind of life do I want to lead?
Which sometimes equates to:
I want people to think I am a good person, I want to be a person that others look up to.
I want to do something important and noteworthy.
I want other people's approval.
We focus completely on ourselves and what we want out of life, but we skirt around the real issue.
What does God want?
I have finally come to a realization…
I. Need. To. Be. Quiet.
Stop complaining, stop obsessing, stop over-analyzing...
I am so busy scrutinizing every single aspect of my life that I am missing all the opportunities that I have to just live it!
To enjoy it…
I know what God wants from me. It is actually very simple.
He wants me to love Him and love others.
That’s it.
We make God and our lives so complicated.
If I am truly loving and serving Him, He will take me where He wants me to go.
It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
I just have to let go of all my personal garbage and focus.
On Him.
Let the other stuff just fall away.
He has prepared a path for us, but we aren't going to have it all figured out tomorrow.
It is a lifestyle... He can and will lead us day to day.
We just have to have patience and tune in.
Stop talking...
And Listen.
Last night, I read this email that was exactly what I needed…
It is from a writer with Proverbs 31 Ministries named Sheri Braendel.
I think she states it perfectly…
“…I decided that day to stop talking about myself. I decided to quit depending on other people's thoughts about what I was doing, or how I was doing it. I decided that the only One I needed to impress was God. I knew that it wasn't going to happen without thought and planning. This desire for approval was not going to go away by itself.
First, I sat down and had a good cry. Then I consulted God and prayed. I made a decision to be quiet about myself for 30 days. Whenever I talked to someone, I would not mention "me" at all. I would not recount my accomplishments, my breakthroughs, or my shortcomings.
Nothing.
I decided to begin listening to others as if hearing them for the first time. If they asked about me, I would simply answer, "I'm doing great, thank you." That's it. No more information. I wanted to turn outward and begin to invest in other people's lives.
…It's funny how when we turn attention away from ourselves, we end up feeling more complete in the end.
Because truly, the only thing that completes us is God.”
Ephesians 2:10:
10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
It will come up in conversation; I will see it on TV, hear it on the radio or read it in a book…
Since I was a teen, I have been wondering…
(this was in my mailbox yesterday morning)
I have talked and talked and talked about this subject with my “girls”… many who are in their mid- 20s like me…
We have all had these same feelings of insignificance and confusion.
Constantly trying to figure out:
Who am I? Who do I want to be, what career do I want to have, what outreaches would I like to be a part of, what talents do I have, what kind of life do I want to lead?
Which sometimes equates to:
I want people to think I am a good person, I want to be a person that others look up to.
I want to do something important and noteworthy.
I want other people's approval.
We focus completely on ourselves and what we want out of life, but we skirt around the real issue.
What does God want?
I have finally come to a realization…
I. Need. To. Be. Quiet.
Stop complaining, stop obsessing, stop over-analyzing...
I am so busy scrutinizing every single aspect of my life that I am missing all the opportunities that I have to just live it!
To enjoy it…
I know what God wants from me. It is actually very simple.
He wants me to love Him and love others.
That’s it.
We make God and our lives so complicated.
If I am truly loving and serving Him, He will take me where He wants me to go.
It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
I just have to let go of all my personal garbage and focus.
On Him.
Let the other stuff just fall away.
He has prepared a path for us, but we aren't going to have it all figured out tomorrow.
It is a lifestyle... He can and will lead us day to day.
We just have to have patience and tune in.
Stop talking...
And Listen.
Last night, I read this email that was exactly what I needed…
It is from a writer with Proverbs 31 Ministries named Sheri Braendel.
I think she states it perfectly…
“…I decided that day to stop talking about myself. I decided to quit depending on other people's thoughts about what I was doing, or how I was doing it. I decided that the only One I needed to impress was God. I knew that it wasn't going to happen without thought and planning. This desire for approval was not going to go away by itself.
First, I sat down and had a good cry. Then I consulted God and prayed. I made a decision to be quiet about myself for 30 days. Whenever I talked to someone, I would not mention "me" at all. I would not recount my accomplishments, my breakthroughs, or my shortcomings.
Nothing.
I decided to begin listening to others as if hearing them for the first time. If they asked about me, I would simply answer, "I'm doing great, thank you." That's it. No more information. I wanted to turn outward and begin to invest in other people's lives.
…It's funny how when we turn attention away from ourselves, we end up feeling more complete in the end.
Because truly, the only thing that completes us is God.”
Ephesians 2:10:
10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Thank you for this! Such wise words. Have a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteGod loves you just as you are, not for what you will do or who you will be, simply because you are His child. He has plans for you and He will direct your path. My life changed drastically after reading 'The Prayer of Jabez', when I opened myself to God he expanded my territory for His glory.
ReplyDeleteI have two daughters your age. One has a definate direction, the other is still trying to figure life out. Sometimes she gets stressed out about that. It's okay. God has a plan for you, He will direct your path.
ReplyDeleteThis is so good, and so true. I have the same ideas, and I know that I need to focus on God instead of myself.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Powerful, powerful "stuff" here. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAmen. You have such a beautiful way with words. Your love for God is so evident in the way you write. :) How wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYes! Love God. Love People. And what an adventure He will lead you on! Following God is never boring or insignificant! Oh I get soooo excited!
ReplyDeleteVery lovely post. Thank you for sharing with all of us and may God richly bless you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Palm Sunday!
Thank-you for sharing your heart. There is such an art to listening, not everone has that talent.Some of us (like me)have to pray about it.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Ginger
You show a lot of maturity and wisdom in this post. It takes a lifetime for some people to figure out what you have already figured out. Thank you for sharing it with us on Spiritual Sundays.
ReplyDeleteBlessings for a wonderful week with your beautiful family.
Charlotte
Amen.
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you! =)
ReplyDeleteWe do always talk about this....send me that email, I would love to read over it more....
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found your blog. So anointed. Thanks for sharing. I'll be back.
ReplyDelete