Joy in the journey

"For light is our affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17

I was stuck, and I knew it.

S-striving
T-to
U-uncover
C-crisises that are
K-killing me.

The moment I began looking around rather than dealing with the problem at hand was the indicator. I had become very interested in the flaws of others and wanted to pick at the specks I saw in their eyes, rather than dealing with the beam in my own. Restless as a cat in a cage, I paced back and forth trying to ignore the truth gnawing at my soul.  God, in His graciousness, wouldn't allow me to escape, but gently herded me to the place where He helped me sort through the things that were causing me anguish.

It's a difficult truth to acknowledge there are still places where I get stuck.  I much prefer putting time into painting a canvas or other creative things, rather than sorting through the places in my home that bring up emotional junk. But having made the decision to purge the unnecessary from my life and home, dealing with the uncomfortable is part of the process. The past few years have been quite the tumultuous journey with many situations where we simply dealt with the moment and moved on. Life was busy and it was simply a matter of survival. Now that I have retired, life has slowed a bit, allowing more time to find more permanent solutions to things which have been given a temporary fix. I want to properly address things that have become less valuable and burdensome.

It sounds good, and even  has a drawing effect.   Massive amounts of stuff we've acquired from family members who have died over the past few years need to be sorted through and given appropriate valuation. But within those things are memories and emotions that are sometimes difficult to bear. Uncomfortable or not, it was time to begin.

Aware that I was not going to do well without properly preparing, I called in my prayer warriors for support. Courage was needed and I knew I could count on these faithful friends to lift me up in prayer. Once the request was sent out, I slowly began working through the most demanding of the projects. As I worked, I was also able to sort through many of the fears and frustrations I had initially tried to avoid. A weight lifted off my shoulders as I methodically worked through the issues, recognizing God's gracious timing in all of it.

There's still a lot of road ahead of me, and judging from what I've experienced today, lots to continue to sort through.  But with each step I take towards the goal that God has set for me, the lighter the burden becomes and more joyous the journey.

I pray that each of you will be able to find joy in your journey as well.

                                                       ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me." Philippians 3:12

The Well-Dressed Soul

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering, bearing with one another.  If anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body; and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymn and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to the Father.” Colossians 3:12-17

“Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints- “Ephesians 6:11-18

Most of us wouldn’t consider going out in the cold without some type of protection against the elements, yet daily many of us fail to properly dress for our spiritual journey. Although familiar with the passages about the full armor in Ephesians, it isn’t always our first thought of the day. When an arrow pierces our hearts, we are suddenly made aware of our error, and then quickly scramble to “suit up” for battle.

But what other types of spiritual “clothing” should we put on?

A quick look at Colossians 3 reminds us to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, longsuffering, meekness, and above all, to put on love.

I find it compelling that we are reminded how we should walk in the Spirit. It is a definitive act of consciousness.

Just as I wouldn’t want to go out into the cold without the proper clothing, I should be equally concerned about having a well-dressed soul.

Having determined to live purposefully in the coming year, I must choose daily to dress properly for the journey the Lord has for me. In addition to putting on the full armor each day, I choose to put on the garments of the royal daughter of the King. This Princess Warrior will choose the clothing of grace; tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, and above all love.

I know in doing so, my heart will be protected, and my soul appropriately dressed.

I pray that each of you will find the royal garments in your wardrobe as well.

Where will this year take you?

" A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Proverbs 16:9NKJV

Today marks the beginning of a new year and a new decade. It seems that in less than a blink of an eye, ten years have passed.

This morning as I was sitting with my husband talking over the events of the past year and trying to set some reasonable goals for the coming year, I couldn't help but sigh over how quickly time seems to pass lately. I know in part it is because we are aging and we are more profoundly aware of the limited time we have to make a positive impact on the lives of our children, grandchildren and others around us. Yet in speaking with those who are much younger, I hear the same lament that time is rapidly slipping away.

Perhaps it is because we have so much "instant access" to almost everything. Rarely do we wait for any length of time for most things these days. Certainly there are some places where there are delays, but more and more we see rapid response to most everything.

It makes waiting difficult.

But waiting is good.

It teaches patience, resilience and trust.

Learning to trust the path the Lord has laid is a journey filled with times where these qualities get tested and tried frequently.

As I sit back and evaluate the things I have learned in the past year, and make an effort to organize my time effectively for the new year, I am grateful that I have a Shepherd Who will lead me. Far too often I have wandered on the road of my own plans, only to find myself frustrated. Whenever I have chosen to follow Him though, my journey has been one of joy and immense contentment and peace.

And so today, as I filled out the calendar for the coming year, and gaze into the unknown future, I am thankful for the knowledge that it is all in God's hands and I can trust Him in every way.  Although I don't know with certainty what the future holds, I have absolute assurance Who holds it.

It is into His warm embrace I lean into, and sigh another sigh. 
This time one of complete peace.

May this coming year find you following Jesus ever more closely, and may His peace abound in your lives.