But that day God had something to tell me

Every once in awhile the Lord meets in the most profound way.  

Oh, it's in those moments I wish time would stand still!  

Sometimes it's reading my bible, or seeing baby rabbits freely playing in my yard enjoying the coolness before the heat of the day comes. Perhaps it's a song on the radio or in a devotion I'm reading.  Or one of those mind-blowing, gorgeous Arizona sunsets with colors that only God could create!  I've talked to many of you, so I know I can't be crazy. Perhaps for you it's walking through Walmart or maybe it's ironing or folding that same shirt for the 4th time this week.  

Confession, I often  have my best conversations with God in the shower.  This is exactly what happened to me the other day.  I'm showering talking to God like I always do, but that day God had something to tell me about a certain scripture.  A scripture that I've heard and read so many times.  Here's the scripture:  

"For we (I) am God's creation,

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared ahead of time

so that we (I) should walk in them."

Ephesians 2:10 HCSB

(paraphrase mine)

2014 has been an interesting year to say the least and to say it nicely.  I've been wrestling about some things with God.  Okay,  if I'm honest I've mainly been wrestling with myself.....anyone....anyone?  Sorry, back to my conversation with God and  Ephesians 2:10.

I am created by God in Christ Jesus, yep I believe that with every fiber of my being.  For good works, which God prepared ahead of time, so that I should walk in them.  For us(me) to walk in, did you catch that?  What does that look like to me and perhaps you?  

Since God created me, he knows that I am a simple person.  First of all it says good works, somehow in my mind its become the lie that if its not great well then I don't need to bother.  It simply plays out like this for me:

I take the first step honestly, that's quite often the scariest part.  

• I stand up for what I know is right at the risk of others misunderstanding or judging my heart and intentions. 
• I walk away from conversations that are not edifying.  
• I put back that dress I've convinced myself I need even though I don't have the money for it.
• I persevere instead of quitting for the hundredth time.
• I stay in a marriage that sometimes for the life of me I can't remember when it became more about me than we.  
• I love on my kids by telling and showing them how much I love them, but also remind them that God loves them even more.   
• As a believer in Christ I should live my life not like I want, but to endeavor to be more like Christ today than I was yesterday or even 5 minutes ago because that's what I was created for.

This world is brutal no doubt.  But I can find the beauty if only I'd allow God to walk me through it.

Psalm 107:23-32

"Some of you set sail in big ships;you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.

Out at sea you saw God in action,saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:With a word he called up the wind—an ocean storm, towering waves!

You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;your hearts were stuck in your throats.

You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,you didn’t know which end was up.

Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;he got you out in the nick of time.

He quieted the wind down to a whisper,put a muzzle on all the big waves.And you were so glad when the storm died down,and he led you safely back to harbor.

So thank God for his marvelous love,for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

Lift high your praises when the people assemble,shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!"  Psalm 107:23-32 The Message

Wisdom

“But though men can do all these things, 
they don’t know where to find 
wisdom and understanding.  
They not only don’t know how to get it,
but, in fact, 
it is not to be found among the living.

 And God surely knows where it is to be found, 

for he looks throughout the whole earth, 

under all the heavens. 

And this is what he says 
to all mankind: 

‘Look, to fear the Lord is true wisdom; 

to forsake evil is real understanding.’”

Job 28:12-13, 23-24, 28 (TLB)

A Safe Place To Step

All of my life I have been an 'internal loner'. 

I don't know exactly when it happened and to be honest it just recently occurred to me that is what I had become.  I don't think you will find the term internal loner in to many psychology books, but hey I'm not above creating my own language.

Here's Julie's definition of an internal loner - one who mistakenly believes that life is safer journeyed in a solitary fashion.  With no need for assistance or friendship.  In other words, proceed to "enjoy life" (insert sarcasm) with the utmost precaution and on my terms.

Which is hilarious, because God in all of his sweetness and patience has finally gotten through to me that in life and in friendship:

1) I've been missing out on so many things that I had lied to myself about.  Playing it safe, staying in my comfort zone, not getting outside my pond.

• "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”  Deut. 31:6-8 ESV

2) If people knew the real you they would never like or accept you.  Once I began truly believing that I am a child of the Lord Most High, one who is blessed & highly favored a great weight began to be lifted off my shoulders. I began to hold my head higher and dare to look people in the eye.  

• "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him"  Psalm 34:8 NIV

3) Life isn't ever going to change.  To quote Jack Nicholson's Melvin Udall character, "What if this is as good as it gets?"  This may be as good as it gets, but I am highly doubtful this is true.  Life may not change but the choices I make can change.  Praise God he has planned it that way.

• "What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again."  Ecclesiastes 3:15

So what about you sweet one?  Yes you...the one always plays it safe.  Will you step out of your pond and dare to join me?