He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
It's 12:30 pm and I'm still in my jammies. I am enjoying a very quiet house on a Saturday. I'm thankful for days to just be still and allow God to show me things that I either NEED to see or instruction I NEED to hear. So often, I'm busy. Not necessarily busy in a wasteful way (of course, sometimes I am) but in a way that renews the soul. As a woman, it's often hard to be still. Life is filled with responsibilities to family, to work. It's hard to slow down and feel worthy of time to ourselves.
I'm going to talk about something that some will be able to relate to and others will be like 😕
I MISS FACEBOOK
There I said it!
It's okay though....on this day, Day 11 it's much, MUCH better. Years ago I made a strong commitment to use any social media platform for God's glory. However even the most admirable goal can become distorted. For me, it became just that. Justifications like this: I just want to keep up with women, see what their needs are, pray for them or offer encouragement. Admirable, yes? No mention there of scrolling the hours away. 😩 It was NO surprise that God asked me to get a handle on my time spent there.
When 40 days are done, it is my prayer that I will have a new found discipline.
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17
Making the BEST use of my time!
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
Seek wisdom!
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:13-17
This passage breaks my heart. Isn't it true!? My life IS a mist! How is it possible that I've lived 63 years, 41 of those years spent with an amazing man who was only given 60 years, raised 3 children, grandmother to six....where did those years go? Certainly sitting here today they feel like a mere vapor. Time IS important! What I do with my time IS important! The CHOICES I make ARE important!
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
Proverbs 3:9
Firstfruits is defined as: the first agricultural produce of a season, especially when given as an offering to God.
In other words, THE FIRST ,THE BEST! Do I give THE best of myself FIRST to God? Or do I give him the last 10 minutes before I collapse into bed. An after thought? Obviously, I don't grow crops and I'm far from wealthy but that doesn't mean that this verse doesn't pertain to me. God wants my best FIRST!
I was given the Holy Spirit when I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. As a result I was bestowed the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I have work to do for his kingdom! I struggle everyday to be the person I've been called to be. That doesn't mean I get a pass. If I CHOOSE to be disobedient, that disobedience is.....SIN.
Scrolling for hours....mindless activity is NOT edifying to God. It is a waste of time, talents and treasures, period.
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.
Provers 6:6
Sluggard -a lazy, sluggish person. 🙋
It may sound like I'm pretty hard on myself. Actually I am. But when I am convicted of things that need to change....well....I am CONVICTED.
convicted - the state of being convinced
I am convinced. God whispered it, I heard it and eleven days in, while it is hard, I'm so very thankful I was obedient.
God has so graciously shown me marvelous things. I'm taking a really close look at how those hours are being filled and allowing HIM to direct my steps. It's actually been pretty amazing.
Thank you gracious Savior for your amazing provision. I acknowledge it's been difficult. Self-control IS hard. Thank you that you never tell me I have to do it alone in my own strength. Certainly, I would fail. YOUR power is made perfect in MY weakness. All glory and honor to you Jesus.
Disclaimer: The mug in the picture is a beautiful gift I received. I am a tea lover.....The inscription "but tea first" doesn't mean tea before God. 😉
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