Galatians 6:9-10 So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially those in the family of faith.
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I was having a hard time with three financially unexpected hickies and was totally weary of doing life the 'good way'. I finally had a teary-eyed pity party at lunch Wednesday, much to my husband's surprise - because remember, I am the good-front-hold-it-all-together gal - and although I usually try to prioritize my devotions for first thing in the morning, Wednesday did not go as planned.
So I cry, and get back to work, and THIS scripture above is in my inbox.
I had also thrown in a "life is not fair" party, "when will we catch a break?" party, "maybe I will try to skirt the issue" party, and my newly negative word "really?" party. I may or may not have talked to God in an angry, despondent tone...
And so, because HE is awesome...He had adjusted my morning in order that I would read this 'Verse of the Day' at just the right time of the day. And later that night at WBS, we received the challenge of the week to STOP COMPARING!! And yesterday...twice I found this verse in front of me and then early this morning (like 5:30ish), here it comes again.
Although I know better by now, I am constantly amazed that emotionally, spiritually, physically, effortly, judgementally, and needily...today is not a whole lot different than when the Bible was being penned.
Trying to stay morally grounded in this earthquake world; trying to fight the battle of patience in this instant-gratification war-zone is challenging; and remembering that God has an even better bigger-picture plan for your life in this everything in a 2"x4" cell phone screen is hard to comprehend in human minds.
What I am focusing on today is turning it over to God...the fear, worry, and anxiety that is always waiting for an opportunity to glue itself to me. I have to pray to have the burden lifted, to tell God I am angry about it and accept that He is not obliged to lend me understanding at this time, and to embrace the realization that there is not a thing I could or would have done different.
If anyone knows what we are battling, it is Paul...hot-headed, passionate, eager to do what was right, constantly lifting up the 'weary', patient, stead-fast, enduring, jailed, and set-free. I have a shirt that says "Hate is Easy, Love Takes Courage". I think Paul would have liked it.
It is easy to get caught-up in a whirlwind of negative and forget to stop, be still, and focus on the good. ALL the good that we never even asked for. Ephesians tells us that it is by God's grace we are saved and to pretty much quit trying to earn it, expect it, or work for it. If we can hold on to this unfathomable gift that simply is because of who He is...for me, it means that He is good, even when I yell at Him. He is good even when I am debating earthly fairness. He is always good, never weary, even with me...who can be a little difficult and the thrower of parties themed with all things questioning and doubting.
I read in another blog this week "bad paths are easy to get into, but hard to get out of...like a bag of Oreos". We may be emotionally spent and think that cutting corners will alleviate some of the burden, we may even think we can stop whenever we feel like it...but "Hello Instant Gratification" will lead to harder paths (and more calories) in the long run.
So by God's grace and a little salt water purge...I am renewed, refocused, and throwing a party that is a little more thankful, a lot more humble, and fully anticipating that big-picture harvest!
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