Christian Living

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Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. ~ Proverbs 16:3

New journeys certainly do take you through some rough terrain!

I've mentioned before about the Spirit-filled desire to write I've had for a few years now. There's just never been any urgency in the past. But just recently I found out about an opportunity for "amateur" writers.....just one problem - the book is due in three months!!! I immediately started brainstorming, outlining, gathering relevant scripture and taking notes with the utmost enthusiasm! However, three weeks in I'm already feeling so completely overwhelmed...and what happens when I become overwhelmed? I totally shut down. I just don't do anything - my brain can't function when it's overloaded!

I'm now fighting off some very persistent and detrimental thoughts...I already have so much to do! How can I possibly fulfill my obligations to my son, his school, for our home and my husband AND write a BOOK??! When will I have time for me? I'm tired - I want to relax and watch some TV. I'd rather take a nap...I deserve some rest!

Now don't get me wrong. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a hard working parent taking some time for his or herself and getting adequate rest. That's a necessary ingredient for our SANITY! But on further review of my day, I found it was definitely possible I was making excuses. I made a mental note of how I was distributing my time throughout the day and it became quite clear I was not prioritizing well at all. I would sit down at the computer to do some writing but would somehow find myself bouncing between Facebook and my inbox for hours at a time. Then I would realize the time and quickly jump up to begin cleaning something that didn't really need to be cleaned...or at least at that moment. Then of course, I needed to make sure I got to bed so I could be well rested to write the next day. Soon, I noticed every time I would make an attempt to write, I would get knots in my stomach as if I were about to take an exam that would determine whether or not I'd pass or fail LIFE!

I have prayed and mulled over this for the last week during which the Holy Spirit opened my eyes. Now it made sense. The excuses, the procrastination and the priority jumble were not just another selfish attempt to be lazy. I AM TERRIFIED! I'm so afraid to fail (like I talked about in the last post!), I have actually taken on an attitude that permits me to do nothing out of the ordinary or take any chances in an effort to decrease the opportunity for failure. In fear, I would rather throw away my dream than just TRY. Who does that?!

My suspicion is that many people do that very same thing...without even realizing it. How often have you had an idea or a dream that you never followed through with because you thought, "I can't do that! There's no time. I don't have the money/skill/education."?

God has created us ALL with special gifts and talents that are to be used to glorify Him. He imparts a passion in our hearts for those very things. Don't you think He will provide the means to "get 'er done!"? God has AWESOME plans for your life, but He doesn't expect you to go it alone! I love what Joyce Meyer says..."If we do what we can do, God will do what we can't."

That's so true! If we would just faithfully go out on a limb and pursue our "God-dreams" (as our pastor puts it), God will certainly pick up the slack! If we COULD do everything, why on earth would we need Him??!

Pursuing new or seemingly impossible endeavors can bring on a whole new score of anxieties, a ton of hard work and crazy sacrifice, I know. But a chance to glorify the Almighty and have fun while you do it is TOTALLY WORTH IT! But we have to remember it's not about you and me. It's about our God. And sometimes things may not work out according to OUR plan, but NO work for the Lord is unsuccessful.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28

I encourage you to take some time to identify your God-dream if you haven't already. That could take awhile - I was clueless for years, but I was consistent in prayer. Once you know where your passion lies, take the necessary steps to achieve your goals - the first step being TALK TO GOD about it!! God will deliver the tools you need to make your dreams a reality if you would only trust in Him. Living our God-dreams is one way we can taste true JOY!

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:58

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