The Journey

I am on a journey. No, not down the road, or to the store - or even across the state to see my beloved children and grandchildren, or my parents. I am on a journey through this thing we call - LIFE. This journey isn't a mere jaunt, or a day-trip - it's definitely not a vacation! It's a life-long trek. God is leading me along on this journey. He is continually trying to teach me, change me - conform me to the image of His Son - Jesus. What are His tools? LIFE. He uses the joys, troubles, trials, people, everything in my life - all of which He allows to come my way. Nothing can come my way, unless He allows it, because I belong to Him. Whenever I think I've learned it all, I've got it down "pat", He allows something to come along that wakes me up! He shows me - "Girl, you've got a long way to go yet." I almost can see Him smile and shake His head - or shake His head sadly in disappointment. This past week, while sharing with a dear sister God has placed in my life, was one of those times. I've been struggling with something I believe I'm supposed to do for Him. But I've been waiting for a flash of light - a sign in the sky - a voice from heaven! My sweet friend, not knowing God was using her, said - "We have to step out in faith - get out of the boat." Well, I did see a flash of light - the truth. I starting laughing - I felt like I was starting all over in this journey. Faith! Of course, I know this. The just will live by FAITH. Without FAITH - it is impossible to please Him. I had been asking God to make His way so plain, I would not have to exercise any faith. How elementary can one get? So, once again, my dear Heavenly Abba (Daddy) took particular care to show me - I haven't arrived. Once we stop growing, learning, changing - we have stopped in our journey. I smile as I confess - I am still on the journey. "Lord, remind me to stay focused on You, so I won't be distracted - won't become prideful - won't think I've arrived. Help me to be able one day to say with Paul, " I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my journey. Amen."

It's Not About ...

You can finish the statement above - I know you can. "It's not about me" has become a sentence everyone quotes, but who practices it? Somehow, it's just so easy for it all to be about ME - my feelings, my needs, my wants. I am always hearing about someone whose feelings are hurt, or from someone who is afraid they will hurt someone's feelings. This is the norm in the church today. It seems that instead of growing in the Lord - instead of having His peace in our hearts and minds - instead of living a life focused outwardly on others, we still struggle with this most elementary concept. It truly isn't about me. It's about Jesus - about giving Him glory - walking in His steps - fulfilling the great commandment: Love God - Love Others. It's about being filled with His Holy Spirit and walking in the Spirit, not the flesh. Simple? Yes. Hard? Yes! Because I have to die to self for any of this to happen. Jesus instructed us to pick up our cross (to die upon) daily and follow Him. "O Lord, give us the diligence to renew our hearts and minds with Your Word daily, to really die to ourselves and follow You every day. Help us to walk by faith, not by feelings."