I think we all have those times in life where we realize things have got to change. We have somehow become complacent, stuck in the mundane, giving in to society, sin, slothfulness, something else, or all the above. I have reached that point. Several things in my life need improvement, and I have just about hit rock bottom truthfully. I know I need to change several things in my life, and I've been so overwhelmed at the thought that I've avoided it.
A little over a month ago, I was waking up every morning at 5:45 and going walking. It made a huge difference in my day and I actually found myself loving it surprisingly. I never thought I'd say such crazy things about that time of morning. I would then come home, and spend the morning on my computer waiting for the kids to get up, reading Facebook, blogs, etc. I had gotten out of this newly formed habit when we had company for two weeks. My husband was off work, so the need to go before he left at 7am was no longer there to push me.
Today, I started back. Instead of taking my ipod, I went alone. I prayed. Well, sort of. I prayed, then let my thoughts wander, then came back to praying, then more thoughts, etc. But hey, I was still praying, uninterrupted by littles. Then I came home, and fixed my coffee and kissed my husband good by. I sat down to have a devotional, and my dear one year old came in to join me. So we went and made breakfast. I never bake for breakfast, but this morning, I felt energetic, and made a delicious baked oatmeal with a new recipe. Then we went and sat on the couch. Her with her milk, a banana and a book, and me with my devotional. God really knows what to say when He talks to you through devotionals.
The first one, I accidentally turned to Thursday's devotional, but needed it so much.
"For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say
to you, "Do not fear, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
"Life presents us with new obstacles and challenges all the time.
Through it all, can I remember what it means to trust in God?"
I just needed that reminder that through the challenges, through the changes I'm trying to make, God is holding my hand and will help me. There are fears that come along with these changes, so this was the perfect scripture.
The second, longer devotional I did referenced Jer. 29:10-14. I think many of us can quote Jer. 29:11. But this book used The Message translation, and it really hit home.
This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years
are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised
and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned
out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the
future you hope for.
“When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen.
“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me.
“Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything
else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”
When you read more than just Jer. 29:11, you see that God is telling them that they have a long road ahead of them. Things aren't going to happen over night, but that it will take 70 years! That's a long time to wait for God to come through. But He promises them that when that 70 years is up, He will show up and take care of them and take them back home. He knows what He's doing.
The changes I'm trying to make in my life won't be easy, or happen overnight, but when I call on God, He will listen and I will find him. I love the last part. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” Please Lord, help me, as I'm serious.
Do you have any big changes you need to make in your life? I hope this is encouraging to you, as it was to me.
1 comments:
So many big changes I want to make, but I feel like it's just not worth putting the effort into until we move. I think that might actually just be me being lazy, but I'll have to confront those changes head on here in a few weeks and be honest.
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