His Word Is Our Delight

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to To Your Word." Psalm 119:9

A question we all ask and one in which we have an answer. We wonder how a young man sways off path. How does a young woman end up crumbled in a corner? We remove ourselves from the path God has chosen for us. Many times we don't even search Him for the answer to our life. It should be Him we are seeking for purpose. Is it really that simple? We remain pure as long as we remain with Him? I believe so. It's when we allow our flesh to run our lives that we find ourselves running to find reason and rhyme to all that is.

I found myself in Psalm 119 this morning. Oh, these words bring comfort. We see the heart of one calling out to God. A place I have been and a place I will be again. This chapter is the longest chapters in the Book of the Psalm. It is repetitive. I think there is a reason for that. God wants us to really get it. He wants our attention. We should be repetitive in His Word. We should be searching His Word over and over again. This Bible is our guide to life.

"With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your Word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your Word." Psalm 119:10-16

This is the picture of a humble heart. One who knows God is in control. One who has seen His wisdom and knows of His love in an intimate way. This is the relationship I want with my Savior. Can you hear Him calling? What I love here is God is showing us how to remain pure. Pure in Him. As long as I keep my eyes upon Him I am going to remain in Him and His will. The very moment I pridefully take my eyes off Him, even for only a moment, that is the moment I will fall. By the grace of God, He picks me back up, sets me on my feet and points me in the right direction again.

We see recurring words throughout this chapter. According, treasured, teach, rejoiced, meditate and delight. My favorite word here is, delight. God wants us to be delighted in His Word. It is through that delight that we find treasure. In that treasure we find that we can rejoice! Meditating on His Word will teach us. It is here we will find understanding to His wisdom. According to our walk with Him and just how much time we spend with Him will determine the rest of our walk on this earth. Oh, how much sweeter this life is with Jesus Christ.

"How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:103-105

I love the heart of this writer. It is so pure. Searching. Wanting. We see him say in verse 27, "Make me understand". In verse 18, he says, "Open my eyes". In verse 33, he says, "Teach me". In verse 34 he continues with, "Give me". In verse 33 he goes on to say, "Make me walk", and in verse 40, he says, "Revive me". This is the heart of a man after God's own heart. This makes me consider if David is the writer. I want to be a girl after God's own heart. I want to know Him. I want to walk with Him for the rest of my days. I want my life to be His and to honor Him in all ways.

Seek Him today, dear friend. Search your heart. It is there you will find your treasure. May the Lord be the treasure you desire.

"For where your treasure is, there you heart will also be." Matthew 6:21

FAR FROM GOOD (The Trial Of Sam Cray) by STEPHEN VAN ZANT

Far From Good is a tale of friendship during changing times. I really enjoyed this read. It was like going back in time and for a first time writer, Stephen Van Zant did an amazing job at bringing the characters to life.

This book shows us the many personalities of those around us. We all come with a story. We call carry baggage. Our actions and attitudes reflect the pain we carry in our heart. Prejudice comes in many forms and whatever the form it is ugly to the extreme. I thought the writer brought that out very poignantly.

This is a story that belongs in the hands of every child. A story read to them by their parents or shared in the school room. It opens us discussion and brings to the forefront just what one man's choices can do to another man's life.

This is a well written gem. A story that takes you to the heart of a matter and changes you as you read the pages. Bullying is one topic this book touches. We see both sides and the effects it leaves on the heart. Again, this is a book for all to read. One that has the power to bring awareness to today's world.

This book was a gift from WinePress Publishing for it's review.

Stephen Van Zant:

While growing up in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Stephen Van Zant loved to read. He even won an elementary school award for reading the most books. He played varsity basketball and football in high school and was a Kentucky Governor’s Scholar. At age fifteen, he ran real-estate titles for his father and uncle at their law firm. In 1990 he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in English from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. In 1993 he graduated from the University of Louisville School of Law, becoming the fourteenth lawyer in his family’s history. He is now a partner in the law firm of Bell, Hess, & Van Zant, PLC, practicing primarily in the areas of real estate, probate, and contract law. For five years he served as chairman of Elizabethtown’s Civil Service Commission, a body that oversees the police and fire departments. He is also general counsel for the Kentucky Board of Auctioneers. His interest and experience in sports have led him to do color commentary for radio broadcasts of high school basketball games.Van Zant was five years old when his parents sold their home to a family with a three-year-old daughter named Kelli. When Stephen and Kelli grew up, they married. Now, in addition to being life partners, the VanZants are also business partners. They co-own the Basketball Academy (http://www.basketballacademy.org/), a 60,000-square-foot basketball and volleyball facility.The Van Zants have four children: Zack, Katie, Abbey, and Adam. They live in Oldham County, Kentucky.

Run Asa Run!

Well, after teaching a lesson on King Asa last night in Awana I knew there was a post to write. Who knew he could teach us so very much? I sure didn't. I must say I had read a little about King Asa over the years, but never really got deep into his life. Well, that has all changed now. I dug in and loved it!

You can read all about King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14-16. One scripture I do want to begin with today is from 2 Chronicles 14:2. It reads, "Asa did good and right in the sight of the Lord his God." Isn't that our hope? It should be, shouldn't it? Oh, how we should want to look good in the sight of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Ya all, it isn't what this world thinks of us that matters. They are not going to be standing in front of us come judgement day. It's going to be the Lord front and center.

King Asa reigned for 41 years. He started his reign on fire for the Lord God. The thing is, he didn't finish so well. He gets busy when he begins his reign and removes all the idols and false worship. He too builds cities and fortifies each one with walls for protection. He had his eyes focused on God! He was all about God. Forty-one years is a long time to reign and many things can happen during that time frame.

King Asa was going into battle with His focus on God. He walked away from the battle in victory because of God, not because of those around him. God was blessing this king for keeping his gaze on Him. As soon as King Asa took his eyes off God things started to go wrong. Instead of Asa going to God for help, he went to other kings. Not the kind of thing God wants us to do.

God sent the prophet Azariah to speak to Asa. Now, if Asa was in right thinking he would have taken his words to heart, but he didn't. In fact, he got mad because this prophet came and tried to lead him in the right way. He put this prophet in prison. Talk about totally telling God, "Hey, I'm gonna do this my way!" Do we really ever think God is okay with that kind of reasoning? God looks at us and says, "Really? Are you sure it's going to go your way? Cause I'm thinking I'm still God!" He has our best interests in His hands. He isn't out to get us. He is out to help us. Lift us. Build us up through Him. He wants us to succeed for His glory and honor.

I can't look at Asa in judgement. Goodness, I too have been there. I think each day is a battle for us. Each day must be a choice of following God or seeking our flesh. It's totally up to us. We just gotta be prepared for the consequences. Our choices not only effect us, but those around us. Our decisions can touch those generations from now. We should be asking ourselves, "What impact do I want to make on this world?" I mean really, we can't have it both ways. It's gotta be God's way or our way and I tell ya, with my record, I'm going to stick with God's will for my life. When I place things in my hand and begin making choices without His consent I mess up in big ways!

I look at this as when I begin a new project I am all gung ho and can't get enough. I start off on fire and then after a while my fire dwindles down to just doing it a little bit and then finally it's off in a box or bag somewhere out of sight. I am then on to my next project that has my attention. We cannot look at our walk with Christ as if it's a project for the moment. It's a journey we must stay with and remain focused. I know that the more of God I have, the more of Him I want. He fills us like nothing else. Look how awesome we feel when we finish a great project at hand. We have put work into it and it's blessings do not just fall upon us, but on others too.

So, Asa's life doesn't end well. He gets a disease in his feet. Yep, those very feet he walks with. Those very feet that carry him with each choice. Do you think it's by chance this disease was in his feet? I don't. I think there is much to learn here. We must be careful of where our feet take us. We must make sure we stay on the path of faith and not steer to the right or to the left. There isn't any such thing as a little wrong. But we can make a U-turn! Praise God for His continual grace as I learn this journey of faith. I don't always make the right choices. But in seeking God, He always brings me back where I am to be. First, I must make sure I have a humble heart so I can hear Him when He says, "Hey Rob, come this way. Follow Me. Get away from that!"

As King Asa dies, his son now takes over. Jehoshaphat now has his work cut out for him. Just think of how things could have been as this young man takes over if his father would have continued in his walk with God? We have the power to bring others to know Christ or to turn them away. Our actions carry lots of weight when it comes to others coming to faith. They see our lives. They are seeing if our words match up with our actions.

Friends, as we run this race, we can run it with God leading us and we can finish with honor. It's all up to us in how we run. We aren't in a sprint. We aren't in a race to hurry and cross that finish line. It's more like a cross country run. We must take our time. Prepare and enjoy the journey. With placing one foot in front of the other and keeping our focus on God, He is sure to lead in the path of righteousness.

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all sun, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

When Trial Comes Knocking, Let God Answer The Door

You have been having a great week. Everything has it's place. All are wearing smiles. The house is clean. The car is running great. Your parents are healthy. Your children just rocked their report cards. The job doesn't even feel like a job. You are loving your life this week. Then it happens. It seems to come out of no where. Trial is standing at your door. It's knocking and matter of fact, it's just going to walk on in whether you are ready to answer or not. In fact, it's going to have itself a seat in your living room. Oh, yes, the family room, where everyone gathers.

Why do we always say, "It just came out of no where"? No it didn't. It certainly came from somewhere. We just weren't looking when it approached and capsized our yacht right in the middle of our sunshiny day.

God doesn't bring everything to us in punishment as some would like to teach us. Just because trial comes it doesn't mean you have done something terribly wrong. We often ask, "God, what did I do?", when in fact we should ask, "God, what do you want me to do?"

Trials enter our lives whether we are living a life as a Christian or not. The difference is in how we react to the trial. We can either curse God and all around us or we can look to Him for support and comfort as we praise Him through each and every fiery step.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation."

1 Peter 4:12-13

In studying I am learning there are four things we should do when trial comes knocking.

1. Expect it

2. Rejoice in it

3. Evaluate its cause

4. Entrust it to God

Isn't that good stuff? Of course, in this life we should expect trial. Why should we be exempt from pain? Rejoice knowing that God has a purpose and reason for allowing it. Always pray and seek His face asking Him to reveal it's purpose. The best yet is to simply trust God with whatever is at the door. Why not even let Him answer the door instead of us standing there in fear and shock? We certainly can't run from everything. There are those things in which we must face. In Christ we can know we can face them without fear, because Christ has given us everything we need for this life.

Through the testing of our faith we are cleansed from our unrighteousness. We can be found washed in the grace of God as we grow closer to Him, calling Him and seeking His face with each step we make.

Instead of screaming out, "Oh no, not again!", may we stand in strength and peace, saying, "Yes Lord, show me, teach me, and bring me to the being you have created me to be." So friend, today be in prayer. Be ready for all that is to come and be prepared and grounded in faith. Always choosing to focus on God and not the trial at hand. Through our steady gaze at Him, He will show us just we are to experience and grab hold of through our trial. I am learning that everything in life is a teaching tool. A lesson that brings me closer and closer to my Savior.

So, don't be so surprised today as trial comes knocking. In fact, answer the door in praise and rejoice, knowing God has big things planned for you!

PROMISE ME THIS by CATHY GOHLKE

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this just might be the book of the year! I know, it's only February, but friends, this book is AMAZING! It grabbed my heart from the very first pages and carried me through to the last and left me wanting more.

This is one of the most beautiful stories I have had the pleasure of reading. In fact, it was an honor to read these words penned by Cathy Gohlke. Yes, she has a new fan!

We have the Titanic. Countries near and far.  Family and friends. Tragedy and beauty. This book simply takes you away to another time and place and I must tell you it captivated me. There are so many valuable lessons to carry away from this book. This is one to pass on to your family and friends. Through the lives of these characters we find the love of Christ. We find His intimate grace and powerful strength that draws us near to Him. We see His sacrifice and His gift everlasting.

These characters were powerful and strong through the weakness that touched them. We see a young man come from a tragic life and find peace. We see a young girl who loses all come to find a love that lifts her from the bondage of circumstance. Cathy brings us to the forefront of forgiveness and leaves us with the beautiful picture of hope.

We see a young man give all for those he loves and those he has just met. Honor means something. Valor is something to claim and hold dear.

Dreams are real and hope is alive when we live in faith. I loved this book and it is one I will share with my friends. I would say, this book could be life changing as it portrays God's love.

I say, come sail the seas and see what lies beyond the boundaries of disappointment and trial. These are characters you will fall in love with and admire as they grow before you.

This book was a gift from Tyndale for it's review.

Cathy Gohlke is the two-time Christy Award–winning author of William Henry is a Fine Name and I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires, which also won the American Christian Fiction Writers' Book of the Year Award and was listed by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2008. Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children's and education ministries. When not traipsing the hills and dales of historic sites, she, her husband, and their dog, Reilly, make their home on the banks of the Laurel Run in Elkton, Maryland. Visit her website at http://www.cathygohlke.com/.

THE SCENT OF CHEERY BLOSSOMS by CINDY WOODSMALL

This was one amazingly beautiful book. I loved my time spent in Apple Ridge. First, this is a gorgeous book. The cover is just lovely. I think just by looking at the cover it would make you want to pick this gem up and a gem it is!

The characters were so likable. Each one struggled with life. Situations occurred. Tragedy came knocking and challenges were at every corner, but do you know, these characters persevered. They over came the obstacles before them. What I love is that Cindy allowed us to see the struggle and the imperfections of the characters. That made them real to me.

I loved the setting. A cafe for friends to gather and family to serve. A farm to restore a broken generator. I love how these folks come together to help one another. They stand on principles and they value a man's word. I seem to learn so much about the Old Order Amish and the Old Order Mennonite communities. Such loving people. I  find it hard to understand many of their ways. But what I love is the fact that they are grounded in their belief and they serve God with all they have. Just like in this book. Love is being kept apart because they cannot find love outside of their own order. I love this depiction of Christ's love. There is nothing to separate us from Him. Nothing can stand in the way except for our own selfish and prideful ways. We must learn to overcome and surrender.

This book holds such valuable lessons for each of us. The Scent Of Cherry Blossoms is a gem and one that I found as a blessing. I enjoyed this book and once I started reading I just couldn't put it down. What a gift it is to enjoy a book so much you can't put it down!

This book was a gift from WaterBrook Press for it's review.

http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307446558

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. She is the author of six novels, two novellas and Plain Wisdom, a work of non-fiction co-authored with her dearest Old Order Amish friend. Cindy lives in Georgia with her family.

WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS by LYNETTE EASON

Wow! Lynette Eason is at the top of my list of favorites when it comes to suspense and intrigue! This girl has a gift, whew! She continues to blow me away with her writing. I first fell in love with her with her first series, "Women of Justice". Now she brings us a new series, "Deadly Reunion". Wow, does she take off running with this first book. I literally did not put this book down until I finished!

This is a hold on to your seat kind of read. There is one thrill after another. I kept thinking, "Wow, this girl is gonna get blown up at some point!" LOL Alexia Allen ROCKS!! I LOVED this character! This girl never gives up! What a great message! She is blessed with protective friends who are seeking the truth and has a God watching every step she makes!

I love how Lynette brings faith into her books. It's not over powering. It's in places where the reader must realize there is more to life. In this book it takes a fire to refine Alexia. Sometimes we must go through the fire to see ALL God has for us.

In this book we see that we must face our fears, our pasts and our regrets. We wanna run, but running doesn't get us anywhere. Just another reminder of Philippians 4:13. Anything is possible with Christ!

Many people compare Lynette Eason to Dee Henderson. They are both AMAZING ROCK STAR WRITERS, but they each have their own style. I cannot wait to see what the next book brings.

This book was a gift from Revell for it's review.

Lynette Eason is the author of several romantic suspense novels, including Too Close to Home, Don't Look Back, and A Killer Among Us. She is a member of American Fiction Christian Writers and Romance Writers of America. A homeschooling mother of two, she has a master's degree in education from Converse College. She lives in South Carolina.

Learning Stillness One Move At A Time

Don't you love how the Lord teaches us through experiences and lessons along our journey? Some are hard lessons. Some take a bit longer for me to learn, but slowly I am getting there. I love the idea of learning. We have a Teacher who gives us His undivided attention. It's like having a tutor. A one on one lesson. If I can only get myself to slow down enough and listen. Focus on what is before me, not behind me.

Lately I have gotten back into doing Yoga/Pilates. I love these work outs. Again, I try to learn something from everything I do and here on this mat before me the Lord is teaching me once again.

In this type of exercise you must learn to control your breathing. My One Word for 2012 is Breathe. Funny how that just worked out isn't it? Nothing is by coincidence in this world. We have a God who plans and sets forth our path. We just have to realize it and match our steps with His.

Not only is this type of exercise about controlling your breathing, but stretching yourself beyond your limits. With each movement I am able to stretch more in more in ways I never thought possible. Oh, how the Lord has been trying to get me to move outside of my comfort zone. In this type of exercise you learn to get comfortable in being uncomfortable. The Lord doesn't want us to just sit in comfort. It is in that very cozy comfort zone that we get lazy and lose focus.

My stamina is growing each day as I make a choice to exercise. My body is getting stronger and my mind is more focused as I make a clear and conscious choice to do so.

"Be still and know that I am God!"

Psalm 46:10a

In this type of exercise you also have to hold in positions that are difficult. It is through that hold that you begin to shake and sometimes you must come out of the position and take a knee. Oh, this life lesson is so much what I am in need of, friends. How about you? When things are difficult I tend to want to move away from it or move out it. When things are shaky I can fall into that and get off balance myself, but the Lord wants us to remember when things become difficult He is still in control. We don't have to shake with them, but we can take a knee. Bend in prayer. Take a few moments to breathe and focus on Him. Again, realizing He is in total control.

Some people call this type of exercise their practice. For me, I don't get into the weird stuff of yoga, but I do push myself past my limits. This mat is becoming a place for me to focus and to practice taking one move at a time. Not thinking of the next, but focusing in the moment. Strength comes from balance. I am learning when I'm off balance, my center is totally out of control. God is my center. It is in Him that I find strength. It is in His Word that I can find balance in a world I cannot understand. In a world that is shaky I can learn to be still and know that He is God.

Step Back Away From The Scissors

Have you ever had a haircut that made you wish you would have never entered the salon doors? It was just a year ago that my hair was getting long and I really loved it. I had gone into the salon for a trim, but oh no, that wasn't enough for this girl. I had to pick up the hair magazines. You all know them well, don't you? It's the magazines we just pick up and glance at thinking, "Well now, isn't that a cute hair do?"

We turn the pages and now we have it in our mind that a trim just won't do. We must have something new and different. Paleeez, I wish I had an inch of hair for every time I got the itch for something new.

So, here we are. We find the photo of the cutest short haircut ever and we begin thinking it's going to look great on us. The thing is, we are not at all the girl in the photo and our hair happens to be totally different than hers is, but we tell our self, "It's going to look amazing!"

But what happens? The stylist says, "Are you sure you wanna go that short?" You pipe up with a smile and say, "Yep, it's time for a change", only in about twenty minutes or so you are going to be wishing that change hadn't taken place.

It seems I can never learn my lesson. Not only did I go in for that short haircut and come out hating it, I decided to grab myself a perm not too long ago. Why do we do these things to ourselves? I know why. I really can answer that question at least for me!

I can tell you each and every time I have entered a salon there has been an issue or a situation in my life that has driven me to tears and to the breaking point. I end up thinking, "I will go get myself a new do and feel better." This is almost laughable, but wearing that new do isn't so laughable as it's growing out. I spend the better part of my time now wishing for my hair back.

Do you ever find yourself wishing for time back? Time that is now lost. Time that has now changed and you find yourself wanting to go back to the way things were so badly. The thing is, we can't go back. Growth hurts at times and no matter how much we wanna trim off, we need to realize sometimes we just need to back away and give God the time He needs to work things out.

But isn't that life with us? I mean really, we think something will make life easier, but we later find out that very choice made things worse. We have an issue and we get in our mind that we gotta make it better. We don't sleep, we don't eat or we eat everything in sight. We see that circumstance and we want to change it so badly, but like the change I bring to my hair, it doesn't always turn out like I think it will.

So, what do you do? Don't walk into that salon! Take a step back and focus on the beauty before you, not so much what you think needs changed or fixed, but the very blessing before you. We tend to take things to the extreme as my baby girl would say. We over ponder issues when all we need to do is step back and allow the Lord to do His thing. Sometimes just throwing that hair back in a pony and waiting a few days makes you rethink the whole trim idea. You then realize things aren't so bad after all. In fact, they look pretty good now that you have really taken the time to really think about it.

Just like growing out my hair, it takes time. I can look in a picture book and think, "Wow, I wish I had that hair do" or "Gosh, that would be great". Sometimes we just need to put down the book and take a look at what we do have. Is is really so bad? Could it be worse? Of course it could. It's just the same as thinking the grass is greener on the other side. That's not always true. We only see the surface picture, not what's underneath, what the frame holds and what's not in the picture. We can't see what it took to for them to get there at that picture in life. Just maybe they had to go through a few trims of their own before they were content.

It's tough waiting on God, isn't it? Patience is hard, but Jesus never said life would be easy. He just promised He would be there for us. We allow our emotions to take hold of us and stir us in ways we never handle well. We feel resentment, anger, hurt and bitterness. We get upset at our husband, our wife, our children, our friend, that co-worker who just never seems to stop and what do we do? We end up taking it out on ourselves. We end up sitting in front of the mirror asking ourselves, "Why did I do this to myself?" But just like life, sometimes we make issues worse by jumping the gun. I am slowly learning to step back and wait on the Lord. It's not easy, but I'm getting there with practice.

I look back at some of my pics over the years and am reminded of the battle scars through those little trims and changes I thought I needed. We don't need to change the outward appearance. We need to allow God to change our inward appearance. Once He does the make over there, the outward appearance comes next and boy, it just seems to glow. It's then that everyone says, "Hey, I love your new look. Where did ya get it?" That is your open door to share the Lord with that person standing before you.

Be careful ladies, those stops at the salon can make us feel worse than when we walked in, so take your time. Think about the reason your entering the salon in the first place. Is it because you really do need a trim or is it something emotional taking place? Maybe what you really need is to just step back, throw your hair up in a pony tail and spend some one on one time with the Lord. It's through Him that we get that real make over and He is pretty much the greatest Artist we could pay a visit to.

"Be still and know that I am God!"

Psalm 46:10a

"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

Romans 12:2

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."

1 Chronciles 16:11

THURSDAY'S TREASURE with ALISA HOPE WAGNER

Falling Asleep at the Wheel

Written by

Alisa Hope Wagner

When I was 10 years old, I got really good at riding my bike. In fact, I was so proficient that I wouldn’t use my hands to steer. I’d let my arms dangle by my side and use my body to balance. I remember one beautiful sunny afternoon I was leisurely riding my bike around my neighborhood. A wonderfully long stretch of road extended right in front of my cul-de-sac, and I enjoyed taking a rest on my bike as gravity pulled me down the gentle descent.

With the sun hitting my face and the breeze blowing through my hair, I decided to close my eyes. I woke up several hours later on my couch. Bruises, scrapes and grass stains covered my body. I had fallen asleep at the wheel and crashed onto a small, thin patch of grass on the curbside. As I tried to pull my aching body up, I wondered how anyone could take a nap while riding a bike.

Now, as an adult, I can see how easy it is to “fall asleep at the wheel” of our lives. We become over-confident in our faith, relationships and responsibilities; and we allow gravity to pull our valuable seconds into aimless stagnation. We are tempted to close our eyes and slowly let the zeal for our God, husband, children, friends, health, church and purpose fall asleep.

I understand that God gives us much needed seasons of rest; but even in our respite, we can maintain a godly awareness of God’s Kingdom coming to fulfillment around us. We are called to be good stewards of the amazing people, possessions and passions He has given us; and we are to use our God-given free will to promote God’s best in all aspects of life. Each day and every decision no matter how mundane or how small contains great significance and purpose. God’s wisdom and favor encompasses the singleness of one breath and the scope of all our breaths combined.

The fact remains that we will never be as proficient in life as Jesus. Jesus is perfect, and we can maintain a hunger for His likeness that is seasoned with grace and drenched in love. If we strive to achieve an honest perspective of our strengths and weaknesses, we’ll be able to rejoice in how far we’ve come while staying focused on where we need to go. There is immense joy in knowing that we still have much to learn, room to grow and time to change. Our lives aren’t complete until we see Jesus face to face; so until then, we need to keep our eyes on Him and our hearts on eternity.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead”

(Philippians 3.12-13 NLT).

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Alisa, thank you so much for visiting my Nest and sharing this beautiful post with me and my readers. What a blessing. I love this so very much! Yes, to keep our focus on the One who makes our path known is so very important. Even when we can't see up ahead we must trust that He knows the best way for us to get there. He will make our path clear. We too must remember to enjoy the journey. There is such sweet blessings in unexpected places that we want to be sure not to miss.  I must keep reminding myself that I am a work in progress. Each day is an opportunity to learn more about Him and about myself as I grow in the Lord.

 

Sweet lady, may you be blessed today and may your ministry continue to grow as you reach this world for Christ!