Some days inspiring myself is crucial. Opening God’s Word, encouraging myself with positive thoughts as I run on the treadmill, or complimenting efforts of eating right and taking care of me are vital. Waiting for others to motivate is a waste of time. Keeping my expectations low in people helps me to keep them high in Christ. My focus is shifted from hoping people will do for me what only Christ can. And since He lives in me, I decided that when I encourage me, it’s really Him doing it.
He is positive. He is compassionate. He loves. He cares. All the beautiful thoughts that come to mind as I take care of my temple are priceless. Every vegetable I eat nourishes. Every sip of water I take cleanses. I see Him smile. My time with Christ is like a million affirmations rolled in one. The feeling is indescribable. Love motivates. It motivates God. And it motivates me. Studying His Word and obeying it truly makes me happy and free. (James 1:25)
Freedom doesn’t come from jewelry, a new car, house, or clothes—these things are nice—but these things are not what make me happy. One diamond could feed many people. A new pair of jeans could clothe a family at a homeless shelter. My disconnection from the world makes me happy. Knowing that I can live without everything that surrounds me on earth makes me happy. Everything belongs to God, not me. But He graciously shares what’s His because He loves me. My family, my dog, all that I have is barrowed.
Love makes me happy. The smile on my children’s faces make me happy. Love’s behind it. Holding hands with my husband makes me happy. It represents our connection, our love. Going to the nursing home and watching my friend go from anxious to calm during our visit makes me happy-love is behind listening. Watching my dog, once abandoned, wagging his tail, playing, and enjoying his new home makes me happy. I see God playing too. Prayer makes me happy. Having security in my Heavenly Father, my closest friend, keeps me free. Experiencing answered prayer strengthens my faith. Faith makes me happy. Looking back on the hurdles I’ve come against and jumped over makes me happy. Love is the reason I’m carried through hard times. To know God’s love and to have it sown so tightly in my core keeps me happy. The joy of the Lord is mine forever.
Though I may struggle on the outside, inside, I’m praising Him. Doesn’t matter how dark I feel, “Light shines in darkness and darkness has not overpowered it.” John 1:5 His light always prevails. God heals. God’s time is His—and it’s always perfect. I don’t believe His time is time as I know it. As miraculous as He is, I can’t even try to wrap my human head around His Heavenly Holiness-let alone what His watch looks like. Even a watch with a ten thousand dollar price tag doesn’t compare. Bravura! Thank You, Jesus, for suffering everything that came Your way so that I would know it could be done, and how to do it, step by step. 1 Peter 2:21.
Without Him there is no purpose. I am happy because I know where my story ends. It ends in the arms of my God. And wrapping around my Jesus is the most beautiful thought I could ever think. The aroma of heaven is greater than the mountain air, just cut grass, a bed of roses, and cinnamon rolls baking on a cold winter day. Thinking of heaven, and that I will be there someday, makes me want to sit and write about it until I get there. Nothing else matters. And I believe that’s how God intended it.
“Think only about the things in heaven not the things on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
And that’s how I inspire me.
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