As of lately I have found myself in another season of waiting on God. I know that I'm not alone in this, most of you are there as well. I have been thinking of you and what you may be facing right now personally and I wanted to let you know what I am doing to focus my attentions on God, my refuge, instead of focusing on my difficulties and the fact that I am not a big fan of waiting.
Right now I am digging in the word of God and writing down scriptures that deal with my specific needs on note cards and keeping them on my nightstand. Focusing on the truth of Gods word is the only way I am going to win this battle.
In the book of Lamentations Chapter 3, the prophets heartache causes my heart sink within me as he says, “He shuts out my prayers.” Wow. How many times have we felt as if our prayers were hitting a brass ceiling? Mighty men used by God have struggled within themselves wondering if God was even there in their time of great darkness of spirit, so we can take comfort in the fact that we are not alone.
Throughout this chapter you can literally feel the tug of war in the prophets soul, but by verse 21 hope begins to stir in the prophets heart.
“This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassion's fail not, they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.” (Lam 3:21-25)
What season are you in right now? Are you waiting on God to show up on the scene and reassure you that He is not shutting out your prayers? Take comfort in the truth of Gods word, you will not be consumed by this season in your life. God will be faithful to you, He will be your portion and everything your soul has need of.
So, maybe we are not so good at the waiting game, but God has a promise for us. He is good to those who wait! Instead of kicking down the doors of opportunity with my three inch heels, I'm going to wait on God and trust in His perfect timing!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Dusty Talents
I wonder how many people tuck their dreams away in their hearts never to set out and see them fulfilled. It must be fear that keeps the dreaming side of them at bay, the fear of both failure and success. Even now as I write this sipping flavored coffee on the second floor of one of my favorite book stores, surrounded by a sea of books and lovely smells of something invigorating, hope stirs within me.
Maybe it’s just the coffee or the mixture of awakened dreams stirring inside that make the writing life feel so much like home to me. I have walked down aisle after aisle wondering if the world needs another writer with something else to say. But what if I never say the things God inspires me to say? What if my fear is causing me to burry my talents like a fool afraid to take hold of the future God has laid out for me? I’m fully aware that is not the life God wants me to live; He wants us to live in abundance!
Matthew 25:15-30
“And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” (vs.15)
God alone knows the gifts He has handed to you. He hasn’t given you something that you can’t work with. He has placed in your hands gifts that He believes you can change the world with! Each gift and talent according to his own ability! He’s not asking you to be someone else, God is asking to you look within and to realize that you have everything you have need of. He is asking you to embrace who He has created you to be instead of filling your life with questions as you long to live another man’s life.
“And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.” (vs. 25)
The parable, Jesus’ words written in red, confronts my timid heart speaking to the fear inside of me, the enemy of our soul’s playground. Do not look around to see whether or not the ones around you have been given two or five talents, just look to the One who has given you something of great value to work with and do something with it!
Finish this prayer by offering yourself to God, holding nothing back!
Lord,
Help me not to be the fool burying my talent in the ground out of fear. Help me to be the faithful servant you have called me to be. Take away the fear and replace it with Your strength. You alone know what the future holds, so I will place my life in Your hands.
Maybe it’s just the coffee or the mixture of awakened dreams stirring inside that make the writing life feel so much like home to me. I have walked down aisle after aisle wondering if the world needs another writer with something else to say. But what if I never say the things God inspires me to say? What if my fear is causing me to burry my talents like a fool afraid to take hold of the future God has laid out for me? I’m fully aware that is not the life God wants me to live; He wants us to live in abundance!
Matthew 25:15-30
“And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.” (vs.15)
God alone knows the gifts He has handed to you. He hasn’t given you something that you can’t work with. He has placed in your hands gifts that He believes you can change the world with! Each gift and talent according to his own ability! He’s not asking you to be someone else, God is asking to you look within and to realize that you have everything you have need of. He is asking you to embrace who He has created you to be instead of filling your life with questions as you long to live another man’s life.
“And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.” (vs. 25)
The parable, Jesus’ words written in red, confronts my timid heart speaking to the fear inside of me, the enemy of our soul’s playground. Do not look around to see whether or not the ones around you have been given two or five talents, just look to the One who has given you something of great value to work with and do something with it!
Finish this prayer by offering yourself to God, holding nothing back!
Lord,
Help me not to be the fool burying my talent in the ground out of fear. Help me to be the faithful servant you have called me to be. Take away the fear and replace it with Your strength. You alone know what the future holds, so I will place my life in Your hands.
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