I created this blog, quite simply, to be obedient to God. I'm not a particularly "public" person; a journal is a more comfortable, safe outlet for my thoughts. But did God promise that our journey with Him would always be comfortable? Did He promise not to push us into unchartered territory when we turn over our lives to HIm? We know the answer and I know what you are thinking.......it's just a blog! You're right. It's not like He called me to Africa. At least not yet. :) (Pete, you're supposed to laugh.) For now, I jump into the world of blogging. It is my prayer that I honor Him with my words and learn from Him throughout this process.
God created me with a passion to serve. I love to volunteer. It brings me great joy to help others. Why, then, must He teach me eye-opening lessons about a subject I thought I knew well? He's God and I'm not. I am human and although I know the teaching in James 2:26, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.", God reminded me what comes first: faith. He reminded me over several days in His perfect, subtle way. I walked to a water fountain in my daughter's school. Posted over it was this:
"Jesus answered, 'He who drinks this water will be thirsty again,
but whoever drinks the water I give Him will never thirst.'" John 4:13-14
I thought about that as long as I could before I went to do something else. No problem. The next day I stood in line to vote -- in a church, in a long, slow-moving line -- and the same passage hung framed, on the wall. It was the wall along which I stood with nothing to do but consider that God was indeed telling me something.
I quickly realized my lesson. Too often, I filled myself up with "doing." Yes, they were good things, helpful, kind. I did not do them at the expense of prayer and studying God's Word; I spent time with God. But I still felt empty and God's voice was clear: it's not enough. You feel empty because the time you spend with Me is not enough. Slow down. Be with Me. I will fill you in a way nothing else will.
He has filled me in a way I did not anticipate. God's love for us is so great that no matter how deep our devotion to Him, He can take us to a place of greater depth. And contentment. And peace. He continues to speak, and this morning addressed what we do first for those in need: we pray. God's power to provide exactly what is needed beats my pot of soup any day. James 5:16 reminds us, "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." My lesson I share with you is this: take the time to be with God in a way that fills you completely, first lift up those around you in prayer, THEN turn on the stove. That soup won't heal, but it certainly doesn't hurt.
Friday, January 30, 2009
At Your "Service"
Posted by Susan at 10:21 AM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Susan!!! My sweet friend. Welcome to the world of blogging. Welcome to the next step in your journey toward a book, toward unearthing treasures for others to enjoy.
I love you and this, my dear, is a great post. Meaty and filling! :)
You are a woman of wisdom. I am honored to call you my friend.
Amy
so excited for your next step ... so honored to have you in my corner and walking in faith together ... i am reading CRAZY LOVE right now by Francis Chan ... have you heard of it ??? i think you would love it ... it is challenging me to be deeper w/ God as I walk and not to be consumed by the cause He has called me to (orphans) ...It has been very eye opening ... love ya sister ... give me one week to decompress (which means clean my house) since Lola's departure and let's do lunch ...
Great words. And how cool that God posted the same verse in various places in your daily walk. keep challenging the rest of us!
Hi, Susan. I found your blog through Amy's. Thank you for your words and your challenge that spoke personally to me this morning. I look forward to reading more of what you have to share.
[url=http://longchampsoldesk.quebecblogue.com/]longchamp soldes[/url] This technique will provide you more profit while creating more value for your customers. It will increase your customer Cheap Mulberry Holdalls Clipper Bag Brown for Men,Mulberry outlet uk has been drawing wide attention for its high quality retention while potentially increasing your sales revenue. To maximize the promotions, personalize the item with your brand logo or graphics.
[url=http://www.freewebsite-service.com/longchampbagsd/Blog.php]longchamp soldes[/url] With our shoe bags the application high time with regard Cheap Mulberry Bags Online, Natural leather Mulberry Zip Around Slim Natural Leather Purse Black for Women sale for you to travel item to become while glamorous as their owners. Your Collections are really a perfect gift for a professional traveler or even for a lover of shoes. To possess these you have to do is sitting suitable at home, search through our selections, make your pick and simply spend through paypal or possibly direct credit and get it again delivered for your doorstep..
[url=http://longchampmoi.web.wox.cc/blog/]longchamp soldes[/url] When it comes to clothing, every woman has different taste and same goes to handbags and purses. Different women have different tastes in handbags and purses. Some likes to have a simple and sober and some prefer stylish and funky looking handbag designs. Look-alike IWC timepieces are around for just about any type and also product accessible. For pretty much each leading observe artist on earth, you can find identical to fit. Several designs to find contain Antique, Specialties, Da Vinci etc. Leather is the finest upholstery material you can find. It is a perfect fit for any room of your home or office or lodge. The strongest upholstery material known to man Cheap Mulberry Bags Online, Authentic Mulberry Women's Piccadilly Bayswater Printed Leather Shoulder Brown Bag outlet sale will withstand the rigors of daily life, including children, spills, and pets.. Home furniture could be the primary facet in decorating your house; it must be selected quite carefully so as to produce you . These are a fun and fashionable ways to create a cozy environment in your own dwelling. A baby's bean bag chair is good for adding that t ..
Post a Comment