Between some long days at work, a week of family visiting and back-to-back weekend trips, I haven't taken much time to write. Don't get me wrong. All of the work and family stuff was wonderful, but I knew I wasn't in the right place with God. When I tried to write, it was like I couldn't. I got stuck at "Hello."
Feeling sick of me, I expressed all this to my husband and he lovingly asked about the quality of my personal time with God during this fast. I have to admit, I've been lax. He said, "A fast can show you what you're really made of," and he's right. I can praise and worship God every day, listen to my Sho Baraka and Marvin Sapp Pandora stations while I work, and even thank God for the day, but this is not the same as spending quality time with God.
This is about me becoming spiritually-minded. I NEED to sit as His feet, read His Word daily, focus solely on Him, and be quiet and still long enough to hear from Him, to be challenged, corrected, encouraged and guided by Him. But honestly, building my intimate relationship with Him has not been my top priority as of late. However, I'm determined to press on.
He gave me another day when He woke me up this morning, so I have another chance!
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So this week at Costco, I came across this devotional book -- Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young. I appreciate devotionals (I currently own three devo books) as part of my daily diet of scripture and messages. This one is unique because it's written from the first-person perspective of God with biblical scripture references. Here's a segment of today's message:
Welcome problems as perspective-lifters... [A problem] can be a ladder, enabling you to climb up and see your life from My perspective. Viewed from above, the obstacle that frustrated you is only a light and momentary trouble. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Psalm 89:15)
After I read my devotional, I journal. I thought the blog would be the appropriate place to do this journaling, but it turns out good ol' fashioned pen and paper is exactly what I needed. I'll still share here on the blog, but only as the Spirit leads me.
Although my days aren't going as planned, and this frustrates me more often than not, I recognize that slowing down and taking time to see things from His perspective helps me to keep my focus lifted and stayed on Him. It doesn't matter how big or small the problem may seem. I always have two options: melt into a place of self-pity or anger or (fill in the blank with other emotion) OR climb that ladder. Getting emotional doesn't help; gaining His perspective does.
Lovingly,
Shoni
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