Last night I had the unexpected pleasure of co-hosting the Change My Behavior Blog Talk Radio Show (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lybogan) with Minister Lorraine Y. Bogan. I recently joined Blog Talk Radio and was surfing the Christian shows currently on-air and came across Minister Bogan's show "Let's Talk About It." I found the call-in number and dialed in. I assumed I'd just be a passive listener, but right after the Blog Talk Radio intro I heard, "Caller, are you with us? What's your opinion on this topic?" I remained silent because I just KNEW she wasn't talking to me. Sure enough she repeated her question, and our dialogue began. We had a good 25 minute Q&A session that is currently posted to the web site.
I don't know how many listeners will hear that show, but it does feel good to be part of something that could be a blessing to others. This has given me the inspiration to move forward with my own Blog Talk Radio show (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/livinglifeonpurpose1), but I'll need your help! The radio show will follow the format of the blog: taking topics I've posted about previously and talking about them on air. For example, the first show will be about hearing God's calling on your life, remembering that time when God's purpose became clear, and what happened next. Ideally I'll have guests that are dealing with those issues. That's where you come in. I need guests! If you are interested in being on the show for any topic or have a show topic suggestion of your own, please email me at livingonpurpose1@gmail.com.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trust. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Hey, Who Moved My Cape?
I used to feel like such a powerful woman. Though I did not enjoy obstacles, I found a way to conquer them…even those that appeared impossible. It got to the point where one friend nicknamed me “Superwoman.” Sometimes I look back on my life and marvel at how far I’ve come. I know others have faced far greater difficulties than me, but I’ve still done a lot. Here are a few examples where my faith, my family and my Superwoman cape got me through:
Those were more businesslike examples, but I thank God for helping me get through the personal issues as well, such as the death of my mom and the non-relationship I have with my biological father. Please don’t read this and think I’m impenetrable or even lack humility. I’ve cried more times than I care to count, and I rarely brag on my accomplishments. I know I would’ve gotten nowhere without God’s favor in my life and the support of my family and friends. It’s just that back then I had a different perspective on life. What others saw as impossibilities, I saw as challenges to overcome. When a person would look at my situation and go, “I don’t think that’s going to happen: you have a young child, bad credit, no money, so-so grad school test scores, etc.” I’d think, “Ok, but why can’t I at least try to accomplish this? If it doesn’t work, then at least I did my best. God hasn’t left me, so I’m sure He won’t let me fall now.” The person would give me a crazy look but then be right there me with celebrating when the challenge was overcome. Superwoman saved the day again.
Then a shift happened. It started with me pursuing a full-time job again after grad school. For some reason, I thought it would be an easy transition to go from owning my time as a business owner to letting someone else own my time as an employee. Being new, I also failed to notice that it was more about “fit” and some level of conformity than individuality, and I’ve always followed my own path. As you can imagine, the challenges began. I tried my usual, “Ok obstacle. I see you, but I can do this” approach…and it didn’t work. Hold on…it didn’t work? “This must be a mistake,” I thought, “Let me try again.” Still, nothing happened. It was like a super villain added kryptonite to the secret compartment in my lunch box. I think that super villain must’ve slipped some kryptonite in my chimney at home because it got shaky there, too. The obstacles kept coming, and I felt like I was tripping over them left and right. Talk about getting knocked down a peg. Slowly, I let the challenges take away my drive, my passion and my hope for better outcomes. Superwoman hung up her cape in the closet and shut the door. Soon everything seemed like a challenge: getting up in the morning, helping with homework, going to the gym and being excited for the next pre-meeting at work to prepare for the pre-meeting before the real meeting the week after.
What happened to me? Where did I go? How could I have accomplished SO much and still feel like such a failure? I think I see now…each seemingly insurmountable challenge made me turn more and more away from God. Yes, I was still going to church and praying, but I made those challenges my god. I thought about them every single day and even framed my prayers around getting over them vs. just asking God that His will be done. Each day that I operated like this, I gave away a little more of my power until the “S” on my chest was barely visible. I went from “Why won’t I be able to accomplish this task?” to “You’re right, I guess I can’t do that. Maybe I’m not that girl anymore.”
After living this way for more than a year, I’m tired. I almost have to laugh when I get scared to do something because often it’s something I’ve done before, like start or rebuild a business. I’m almost ready to grab my cape out of the closet and fly off the roof into the world of the unknown. I say almost because it feels like a chain of conformity is tied to my ankle trying to keep me “grounded.” It’s tethered to a chain of insecurities like, “What if I don’t make enough money? What if I lose the house? What if I don’t make it?!” But what if I do? Tax refund season is coming, and I’m typically blessed with a refund. My family is willing to help. I have old clients who raved about my good work. I have friends. I have networks. I have God. Hmm…the cape is just sitting there in the closet, the window is open and it is a beautiful night. Maybe Superwoman can fly again. I think she’ll have to.
- Graduating college - When I got pregnant with my first child right before freshman year, all I could think about was how I’d have to skip college. Yes, I was concerned about the health of my baby, but I wondered if my life would be over before it really started. At that moment, I decided to continue the pursuit of my college dreams. With determination and MUCH help from the family, I was able to graduate on time (4 years) and with honors. I was excited to see my preschooler clapping for me in the audience at graduation.
- Buying a home before age 30 - Ready to hit the post-college world, I took what I thought would be a well-paying job. It wasn’t. This is where my Superwoman tendencies got me into trouble. Instead of asking for help when my less than stellar paychecks weren’t enough to cover the bills, I used credit instead. Bad move. I look back now and realize how much I could have avoided if I’d just demanded fair pay at work or even told my family that I needed a personal bailout plan. Needless to say, my creditors didn’t care either way and promptly put negative remarks on my credit report. I got diligent about my finances, even moving back home for a time. Years later when I relocated for a different job, I just KNEW I was going to have to get an apartment in a bad neighborhood. Imagine my surprise when my diligence paid off, and I was approved for a home loan in a neighborhood where most don’t even lock their doors at night. Thanks trusty cape!
- Starting a business – I’ve always had a passion for entrepreneurship. That not-so-great after college job reminded me of that, and I left because many of my talents weren’t being utilized, the pay was not enough, and I knew I had the potential to do more. I channeled that into starting my own small business. I did not have much money, but I did have enough to pay for a web site, phone line and paper to print my own business cards. I promoted as many free places as I could, but business was slow. After 6 months with few clients, I was thisclose to giving up. Something told me to stick it out (God I’m sure), and within a week I had a steady stream of paying clients. I identified a lot with the “You’re Closer Than You Think” notion here.
Those were more businesslike examples, but I thank God for helping me get through the personal issues as well, such as the death of my mom and the non-relationship I have with my biological father. Please don’t read this and think I’m impenetrable or even lack humility. I’ve cried more times than I care to count, and I rarely brag on my accomplishments. I know I would’ve gotten nowhere without God’s favor in my life and the support of my family and friends. It’s just that back then I had a different perspective on life. What others saw as impossibilities, I saw as challenges to overcome. When a person would look at my situation and go, “I don’t think that’s going to happen: you have a young child, bad credit, no money, so-so grad school test scores, etc.” I’d think, “Ok, but why can’t I at least try to accomplish this? If it doesn’t work, then at least I did my best. God hasn’t left me, so I’m sure He won’t let me fall now.” The person would give me a crazy look but then be right there me with celebrating when the challenge was overcome. Superwoman saved the day again.
Then a shift happened. It started with me pursuing a full-time job again after grad school. For some reason, I thought it would be an easy transition to go from owning my time as a business owner to letting someone else own my time as an employee. Being new, I also failed to notice that it was more about “fit” and some level of conformity than individuality, and I’ve always followed my own path. As you can imagine, the challenges began. I tried my usual, “Ok obstacle. I see you, but I can do this” approach…and it didn’t work. Hold on…it didn’t work? “This must be a mistake,” I thought, “Let me try again.” Still, nothing happened. It was like a super villain added kryptonite to the secret compartment in my lunch box. I think that super villain must’ve slipped some kryptonite in my chimney at home because it got shaky there, too. The obstacles kept coming, and I felt like I was tripping over them left and right. Talk about getting knocked down a peg. Slowly, I let the challenges take away my drive, my passion and my hope for better outcomes. Superwoman hung up her cape in the closet and shut the door. Soon everything seemed like a challenge: getting up in the morning, helping with homework, going to the gym and being excited for the next pre-meeting at work to prepare for the pre-meeting before the real meeting the week after.
What happened to me? Where did I go? How could I have accomplished SO much and still feel like such a failure? I think I see now…each seemingly insurmountable challenge made me turn more and more away from God. Yes, I was still going to church and praying, but I made those challenges my god. I thought about them every single day and even framed my prayers around getting over them vs. just asking God that His will be done. Each day that I operated like this, I gave away a little more of my power until the “S” on my chest was barely visible. I went from “Why won’t I be able to accomplish this task?” to “You’re right, I guess I can’t do that. Maybe I’m not that girl anymore.”
After living this way for more than a year, I’m tired. I almost have to laugh when I get scared to do something because often it’s something I’ve done before, like start or rebuild a business. I’m almost ready to grab my cape out of the closet and fly off the roof into the world of the unknown. I say almost because it feels like a chain of conformity is tied to my ankle trying to keep me “grounded.” It’s tethered to a chain of insecurities like, “What if I don’t make enough money? What if I lose the house? What if I don’t make it?!” But what if I do? Tax refund season is coming, and I’m typically blessed with a refund. My family is willing to help. I have old clients who raved about my good work. I have friends. I have networks. I have God. Hmm…the cape is just sitting there in the closet, the window is open and it is a beautiful night. Maybe Superwoman can fly again. I think she’ll have to.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What I Know for Sure
I'll admit it - I'm a fan of "O" Magazine. I'm been subscribing since a relative gave it to me as agift a few years ago. I'd like to take a page from Oprah and talk about "What I Know for Sure." As I've been on this path to living God's purpose for me, I've come to realize a couple truths that I can't run from:
I've only come to realize the 2nd truth in the past couple weeks after re-reading some of my journal posts. I would place limits on what I wanted God to do for me rather than letting God bless me how he saw fit. For example, over the past year I asked God to let people at my current job like me more/see my value to the team/appreciate my style instead of simply asking for career breakthrough (even if it lead me to a new industry). In relationships I remember asking God to fix my current situation vs. asking His will be done (even if it lead me to new friendships). This has to change because I don't want to limit God's blessings in my life. Maybe He wants to move me into a better job or entrepreneurship vs. being an employee. How can He enlarge my territory if I've already pre-defined it in my prayers? It makes NO sense.
The second half of the 2nd truth is also something I've done too much of lately - wait on other people. This could be literally running late because my family or a friend is moving like molasses. It could also mean me waiting until "the perfect time" before scheduling a vacation or going out to eat or finding a cleaning lady or quitting a job or whatever. I'm tired of waiting on others, especially when God has given me the means to make the next move. On the work side, I realize I should've made an exit plan a long time ago, but I waited to see if others were going to take care of me as they said. Personally, I've waited on family and friends to do a lot of things. It happens with the kids, too. Heck, I just need to go. :-) It also speaks to how I tend to put others' needs before my own. I don't want to turn into a selfish person, but I can't be someone who never takes care of her own needs. I can't be a blessing to others if I'm burned out.
So what do you know for sure? Are there things about yourself you've tried to ignore but keep coming back? Maybe you're a natural salesman, have a green thumb or can get even the most rebellious teenager to listen to you. Share those truths in the comment section. We can learn from each other.
- I am not meant to work for someone else long-term, and
- I am only hurting myself by limiting my prayers or waiting on other people to make a way for me
I've only come to realize the 2nd truth in the past couple weeks after re-reading some of my journal posts. I would place limits on what I wanted God to do for me rather than letting God bless me how he saw fit. For example, over the past year I asked God to let people at my current job like me more/see my value to the team/appreciate my style instead of simply asking for career breakthrough (even if it lead me to a new industry). In relationships I remember asking God to fix my current situation vs. asking His will be done (even if it lead me to new friendships). This has to change because I don't want to limit God's blessings in my life. Maybe He wants to move me into a better job or entrepreneurship vs. being an employee. How can He enlarge my territory if I've already pre-defined it in my prayers? It makes NO sense.
The second half of the 2nd truth is also something I've done too much of lately - wait on other people. This could be literally running late because my family or a friend is moving like molasses. It could also mean me waiting until "the perfect time" before scheduling a vacation or going out to eat or finding a cleaning lady or quitting a job or whatever. I'm tired of waiting on others, especially when God has given me the means to make the next move. On the work side, I realize I should've made an exit plan a long time ago, but I waited to see if others were going to take care of me as they said. Personally, I've waited on family and friends to do a lot of things. It happens with the kids, too. Heck, I just need to go. :-) It also speaks to how I tend to put others' needs before my own. I don't want to turn into a selfish person, but I can't be someone who never takes care of her own needs. I can't be a blessing to others if I'm burned out.
So what do you know for sure? Are there things about yourself you've tried to ignore but keep coming back? Maybe you're a natural salesman, have a green thumb or can get even the most rebellious teenager to listen to you. Share those truths in the comment section. We can learn from each other.
Monday, November 23, 2009
You Are Closer Than You Think
In the bookstore on Saturday, I was thumbing through Joel Osteen's book, "It's Your Time: Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams, and Increase in God's Favor." An important phrase he repeats in the first chapter is "you are closer than you think." He uses a story of him hiking up a mountain. A sign at the bottom told Joel that it would take him 3 hours to reach the top. After 45 minutes of a tough climb, he sat down, discouraged and ready to give up. Just then an older man came down the mountain, looked at him and said, "You are closer than you think." This phrase inspired something in Joel and he got up to continue his climb. Surprisingly, he reached the top of the mountain about 10 minutes later. There he was thinking he had at least another 2 hours of climbing to do when he was only 10 minutes away. What if the man hadn't been coming down the mountain or encouraged Joel to keep trying? He may have given up never realizing that victory was just a few short steps away.
How many times have we done that in our lives? Think about the sign at the bottom of the mountain - 3 hours to the top. We see signs like that everyday - 4 years to a college degree, most businesses fail after 1 year, it takes more than 1 try to give up smoking cigarettes - and the list goes on. Instead of being bound by those signs and timelines, look to "kairos" or God's time. He may want your business to thrive for 30+ years or put you in an accelerated degree program or even give you the tools necessary to quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey. However, if you give up before it's time, you'll never reap those rewards.
Now I realize how easy that seems when things are going well. If you're on day 364 of successfully running your business, I'm sure you'll trust and believe that God will help you last through the next year. It's important to praise God in those times, but it's also important to trust when you're unsure of what tomorrow will bring. When you're on day 1 of opening your business without a customer in sight or day 364 of your job search and are going on yet another interview. Personally, think of the moments where you've prayed for breakthrough month after month. It's closer than you think:
- financial freedom
- good health
- new job
- small business success
- good relationship with your children
- the end of your addiction
- peace
What have you been praying for? What desire has God placed on your heart that you're ready to give up on? Keep the faith. Remember you are closer than you think!
How many times have we done that in our lives? Think about the sign at the bottom of the mountain - 3 hours to the top. We see signs like that everyday - 4 years to a college degree, most businesses fail after 1 year, it takes more than 1 try to give up smoking cigarettes - and the list goes on. Instead of being bound by those signs and timelines, look to "kairos" or God's time. He may want your business to thrive for 30+ years or put you in an accelerated degree program or even give you the tools necessary to quit smoking cigarettes cold turkey. However, if you give up before it's time, you'll never reap those rewards.
Now I realize how easy that seems when things are going well. If you're on day 364 of successfully running your business, I'm sure you'll trust and believe that God will help you last through the next year. It's important to praise God in those times, but it's also important to trust when you're unsure of what tomorrow will bring. When you're on day 1 of opening your business without a customer in sight or day 364 of your job search and are going on yet another interview. Personally, think of the moments where you've prayed for breakthrough month after month. It's closer than you think:
- financial freedom
- good health
- new job
- small business success
- good relationship with your children
- the end of your addiction
- peace
What have you been praying for? What desire has God placed on your heart that you're ready to give up on? Keep the faith. Remember you are closer than you think!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
I'm Scared - For the Grown Folks
Hello blog family. It's been awhile since I posted. We will pick up with Day 8 of "The Purpose Driven Life" soon, but I felt compelled to write an addendum to the "I'm Scared" post written earlier in this blog. I wrote about how it was my choice as a college student to leave a job that didn't utilize my skills and talents and only afforded me a paycheck. As someone who is still working her corporate day job but completely unhappy and ready to go, I sit here and wonder why I didn't take my own advice and just leave. Well...here's what I discovered...
Life has changed dramatically since I left my post as copy girl. I am a homeowner with a mortgage. I have children who enjoy eating and wearing clothes (though with the youngest the clothes are debateable). I have vehicles with monthly car notes due. Because we like electricity, water, and the garbage not collecting in a heap inside the garage, those bills must be paid, too. I, like many of you, have become a victim of stuff. Stuff can get in the way when you least expect it. Why do we hold onto jobs we no longer enjoy? Why do we drive 25 miles one way only to wish we were back in our beds? Why do we neglect our children for 3 hours to finish that last email or phone call only to find them asleep when we tear ourselves away from the computer? Most times it's not because we love it or enjoy giving the best hours of our day to a job that someone else owns. No, it's because we want to keep our stuff. What we need to remember, what I need to remember, is that God always provides - “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow...." Matthew 6:31-34 NIV
We can become so trapped by things that we forget to seek God and His guidance. Instead, we try to make things happen by ourselves. We go back to the "Yes, God, I could leave this job, but since I've got all this stuff to pay for I think I'll stick it out," or, "I know you just blessed me with 10 client leads, but I don't know if they will pay on time. I think I'll pass those on to someone else who has the time to chase them." Well, my friends, that is not the way to go - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
The two verses mentioned above are what I'm using to step out on faith and change my situation. My life is very different than 10+ years ago when I left my post as copy girl and even 5+ years ago when I was living in my family's house starting my technology business. I acknowledge that I have gotten caught up in accumulating a bunch of stuff and therefore limited some of my mobility. However, I know that if I trust God, He will open doors that I never imagined would open. It's true for you, too. This does not mean giving up the purpose God placed on your heart. No, it means that you need to create a viable plan to achieve it. For me, that means changing my current work situation so that I can be in an environment conducive to working on my business when I get home and on the weekends. Right now thoughts of my current job take up so many of my thoughts that I need to just let it go. Rather than just complain, I have actually put applications in at several local companies. Pray for me ya'll. If it's for me, then God will open that door. I do still have strong entrepreneurial desires and a better day job will enable me to put those pieces together quicker. The economy is crazy right now, and jobs seem to be scarce. However, I have to trust God, stop worrying and step out on faith. He's never let me down yet...especially when it really mattered.
So...in the midst of all your grown folks stuff - house, car, kids, gym memberships, shopping habits, etc. - are you willing to modify your plans enough to make way for God's purpose? Remember, it may not mean leaving your job, relationship, hometown, school, etc. tomorrow, but it does mean trusting God and taking tiny steps toward your purpose. That's how grown folks make it happen. :-)
Life has changed dramatically since I left my post as copy girl. I am a homeowner with a mortgage. I have children who enjoy eating and wearing clothes (though with the youngest the clothes are debateable). I have vehicles with monthly car notes due. Because we like electricity, water, and the garbage not collecting in a heap inside the garage, those bills must be paid, too. I, like many of you, have become a victim of stuff. Stuff can get in the way when you least expect it. Why do we hold onto jobs we no longer enjoy? Why do we drive 25 miles one way only to wish we were back in our beds? Why do we neglect our children for 3 hours to finish that last email or phone call only to find them asleep when we tear ourselves away from the computer? Most times it's not because we love it or enjoy giving the best hours of our day to a job that someone else owns. No, it's because we want to keep our stuff. What we need to remember, what I need to remember, is that God always provides - “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow...." Matthew 6:31-34 NIV
We can become so trapped by things that we forget to seek God and His guidance. Instead, we try to make things happen by ourselves. We go back to the "Yes, God, I could leave this job, but since I've got all this stuff to pay for I think I'll stick it out," or, "I know you just blessed me with 10 client leads, but I don't know if they will pay on time. I think I'll pass those on to someone else who has the time to chase them." Well, my friends, that is not the way to go - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
The two verses mentioned above are what I'm using to step out on faith and change my situation. My life is very different than 10+ years ago when I left my post as copy girl and even 5+ years ago when I was living in my family's house starting my technology business. I acknowledge that I have gotten caught up in accumulating a bunch of stuff and therefore limited some of my mobility. However, I know that if I trust God, He will open doors that I never imagined would open. It's true for you, too. This does not mean giving up the purpose God placed on your heart. No, it means that you need to create a viable plan to achieve it. For me, that means changing my current work situation so that I can be in an environment conducive to working on my business when I get home and on the weekends. Right now thoughts of my current job take up so many of my thoughts that I need to just let it go. Rather than just complain, I have actually put applications in at several local companies. Pray for me ya'll. If it's for me, then God will open that door. I do still have strong entrepreneurial desires and a better day job will enable me to put those pieces together quicker. The economy is crazy right now, and jobs seem to be scarce. However, I have to trust God, stop worrying and step out on faith. He's never let me down yet...especially when it really mattered.
So...in the midst of all your grown folks stuff - house, car, kids, gym memberships, shopping habits, etc. - are you willing to modify your plans enough to make way for God's purpose? Remember, it may not mean leaving your job, relationship, hometown, school, etc. tomorrow, but it does mean trusting God and taking tiny steps toward your purpose. That's how grown folks make it happen. :-)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Day 5: Seeing Life through God's View
We're almost a week into our journey to purpose, using "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren as a guide. I hope you've been learning some new things about yourself and are growing closer to God.
Day 5 introduces the idea that life is both a test and a trust. We are continually tested from the way the we react to a friend who just lost his job to the way you treat the waitress who still hasn't brought you the Diet Coke you asked for 10 minutes ago. As Christians, it's up to us guard our reactions when life gets tough. It's in these moments that God teaches us about ourselves and opens us up to receive even more of His blessings.
God's entrusts us with many things during our earthly life - relationships, children, houses, clothes, money, etc. We are called to be good stewards over these things, but that doesn't always happen. Have there been times when you yelled at someone over something small just because YOU were having bad day or spent your last $75 on a cute pair of shoes knowing you should've used part of it for gas money instead? God gave us things so that we could take care of them and perhaps use them to help Him blessing another person...not to be mistreated, hoarded, or used irresponsibly.
Today's question asks you to consider two things:
1. What's recently happened in your life that you now realize was a test from God?
2. What are the greatest matters God entrusted to you?
I can name a couple of situations in my life that feel like tests from God. One is definitely my struggle in corporate America. I realize that if I hadn't gone through that situation and really listened to God's voice, I would not be working toward my purpose at all. In fact, this blog wouldn't exist either. :-) A few people have read that story and expressed how much it helped them take a look at their lives and their next moves. It's amazing to hear how God turned tragedy into good. Another situation is driving. I'm usually a very patient person. I try my best not to give in to road rage, but it's hard not to get annoyed when there are 20 minute construction delays, people cutting you off on the highway only to slow to 50mph once they get in front of you, or red lights stopping you almost every block. In those instances, I try really hard to be patient and to thank God for whatever He's helping me avoid by putting these roadblocks in my way. I've seen more than a handful of accidents on my direct route and wonder if it would've been me had I not gotten stopped by 3 red lights in a row or if my children didn't have to give me one more hug even though I was running late to work. It can be difficult, but I try to be grateful for the tests I recognize...even if it means letting that car pass me rather than speeding up and blocking them in. :-)
With the second question, the first thing that comes to my mind are my children. God has given me a great responsibility to teach them and mold them so that they are believers in Jesus. With so many outside influences in the world, that is a huge task, and I feel blessed that God chose me to do it. I've also been blessed by some material things. I was just complaining earlier today as I cleaned up a room that seems to magically reappear as dirty within 24 hours. There were so many other things I'd rather do than clean, but then I realized how great it is to even have a house. With so many families losing their homes or with the economy making it hard for some people to buy a home, I'm grateful to have a dirty room of my own to clean. I do, however, think it's almost time to be a blessing to someone else by offering them a job as a maid a couple times a month.
Day 5 introduces the idea that life is both a test and a trust. We are continually tested from the way the we react to a friend who just lost his job to the way you treat the waitress who still hasn't brought you the Diet Coke you asked for 10 minutes ago. As Christians, it's up to us guard our reactions when life gets tough. It's in these moments that God teaches us about ourselves and opens us up to receive even more of His blessings.
God's entrusts us with many things during our earthly life - relationships, children, houses, clothes, money, etc. We are called to be good stewards over these things, but that doesn't always happen. Have there been times when you yelled at someone over something small just because YOU were having bad day or spent your last $75 on a cute pair of shoes knowing you should've used part of it for gas money instead? God gave us things so that we could take care of them and perhaps use them to help Him blessing another person...not to be mistreated, hoarded, or used irresponsibly.
Today's question asks you to consider two things:
1. What's recently happened in your life that you now realize was a test from God?
2. What are the greatest matters God entrusted to you?
I can name a couple of situations in my life that feel like tests from God. One is definitely my struggle in corporate America. I realize that if I hadn't gone through that situation and really listened to God's voice, I would not be working toward my purpose at all. In fact, this blog wouldn't exist either. :-) A few people have read that story and expressed how much it helped them take a look at their lives and their next moves. It's amazing to hear how God turned tragedy into good. Another situation is driving. I'm usually a very patient person. I try my best not to give in to road rage, but it's hard not to get annoyed when there are 20 minute construction delays, people cutting you off on the highway only to slow to 50mph once they get in front of you, or red lights stopping you almost every block. In those instances, I try really hard to be patient and to thank God for whatever He's helping me avoid by putting these roadblocks in my way. I've seen more than a handful of accidents on my direct route and wonder if it would've been me had I not gotten stopped by 3 red lights in a row or if my children didn't have to give me one more hug even though I was running late to work. It can be difficult, but I try to be grateful for the tests I recognize...even if it means letting that car pass me rather than speeding up and blocking them in. :-)
With the second question, the first thing that comes to my mind are my children. God has given me a great responsibility to teach them and mold them so that they are believers in Jesus. With so many outside influences in the world, that is a huge task, and I feel blessed that God chose me to do it. I've also been blessed by some material things. I was just complaining earlier today as I cleaned up a room that seems to magically reappear as dirty within 24 hours. There were so many other things I'd rather do than clean, but then I realized how great it is to even have a house. With so many families losing their homes or with the economy making it hard for some people to buy a home, I'm grateful to have a dirty room of my own to clean. I do, however, think it's almost time to be a blessing to someone else by offering them a job as a maid a couple times a month.
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