Excited to share the latest addition to my #etsy shop: I Know The Plans #scriptureverse #faith https://etsy.me/2AEBxJj
Plans
What’s Your End Game?
I saw this tree all day, but it wasn’t until the end of the day that I actually looked at it. Then I saw the one leaf hanging on for dear life. It is funny how you can see something all day and not really see it. How you can work at a job for many years and wonder what the heck you are doing there? How many of you are hanging on to something that is not for you? Like this leaf, you think you are going to make this work.
Many of you are in places you were not supposed to be. Maybe God had you there for a little while and you got comfortable and stayed. You figure the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. But it is slowly killing you, physically, mentally and spiritually. You have lost hope because you have your hope in the wrong things, like a job, a child, a marriage, location, a president.
The Creator of the universe created you for something special. When He called you into being, He specially designed you with a purpose and a plan. He knew He could bring something beautiful out of darkness.
And like the sun that sets everyday, He has a purpose and plan for you. It is time for you to start operating in your purpose. I remember seeing this sunset and thinking wow. I need a picture of it, but sun was setting faster than I could get my camera ready. If you don’t start operating in the purpose He has for you, you are going to miss those amazing moments God has planned for your life. It is possible to miss the blessing.
But it is never to late to catch a glimpse of His glory as long as you are on this side (in the land of the living). It is not as spectacular as the original blessing, but still worth it. In 2017, ask God what is your end game? What are you working towards? What were you created to do?
Personal Note
It has been a good week.
In addition to making it to both bible studies this week, I also got to see Beth Moore on television Wednesday night. Nothing beats listening to this woman explain chiastic structure. We know God will turn a situation around, thanks to the lovely study of Esther.
I had a great first time experience at Loc Stars salon in Arlington. It had a very urban city feel and the owner is passionate about healthy hair. I love seeing people do things they are passionate about. And there is nothing better than a good hair washing and a glass of sweet tea. (yes, I am southern)
In the midst of writing my magnum opus, I have found inspiration in the strangest places, but it only makes the story better. Sometimes I try to rush a story along to fill a deadline. But it flows the way it wants to. I started this story 20 some odd years ago and I am amazed at how it evolves. Loving it.
And I am all about a good story.
At the beginning of my work week, other members of my team started some training that I had requested months ago. I was a little twisted when I found out one of the people who was being trained had never requested it.
And I said, “Really, God?” Yet I decided I was going to be happy for him. He really needed the break. But he kept coming by my station on his breaks to chat. “Really.” Not only do I have to be happy, but I have to watch him rub it in. I decided I was going to enjoy where I was. I was not going to complain to my manager about choosing people who didn’t even want it. I was going to wait for my turn, quietly.
The next day, I bump into another one of my team members going through this training. Again, people are going through training who did not request it.
“Not fair, God. But You know what you are doing.” I am going to shut up.
I had decided that God knew what He was doing even though I didn’t. I wasn’t going to throw a fit. I was going to wait my turn. In the meantime, I had a revelation.
I am at a moment in my life where I like God. You know how you can love someone, but not like them? For example, you love your parents but sometimes you might not like them because of interactions with them. Where it not for the Shekinah Glory and those scary creatures guarding Him, I know The Most High and I could sit over coffee and have a good chat.
When I get to work on Friday, there are no stations available for several of us. I look at the QB and ask what are the options. to make a long story short, two of my friends and I started training on the thing I had wanted all week. Not only do I get the training I want, but I also get it with my friends. “Wow God!”
We had the best day. And all day, I thought God knew this was going to happen. Things did not start the way I thought they should. But He had it all planned. I just had to trust Him. It turned out way better than I planned. Amen.
Stop Kicking Grace to the Curb
This week I got to languish in God’s grace. Sometimes we mistake God’s grace as a nuisance because it doesn’t look like what we think it should look like. While I was getting a good picture of the High Holy God I serve during this week’s bible lessons, I experienced His grace in several settings.
My favorite experience was that worship comes from your heart. Many days we feel like Peter with a sword in his hand promising to follow the Lord to death. Yet when it comes to worship in any place at any time, we are more like Peter running from the crowd denying we know Jesus. I mean there are some places you just can’t worship Jesus. (wink)
God sends people into our lives to teach us about His grace. It seldom looks the way we expect it. It is never the people we expect. It always teaches us about His character. His goal is to make us look more like Christ and less like us.
When things don’t look the way we plan it, we figure everything is wrong instead of God had other plans. We tend to ignore the souls God has placed in our path and try to do things on our own. We miss the blessing.
I mean if anyone could have worked on his own, Christ could. But He chose 12 guys to work with Him. He knew what would happen if those men allowed God to work through them.
What is God calling you to do that is outside of your plan? Are you willing to miss His grace to work your plan?
This year I have watched His grace do incredible things in my life. It is purifying me.
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