"The only thing we can truly control is
how we respond to the events and circumstances around us, ...."
via a dear friend I've never met
(When she said it, it struck & stuck :)
Sometimes when what I really want are specific answers to particular questions (Why?!, When?! How on earth...?! etc.) it seems God has so much more for me to learn in the absence of answers - so instead of answers, He gives me directions/instructions on how to react &/or respond to whatever events & circumstances I find myself in at any given time. Sometimes I sense that He says ...
Wait * Go * Do something * Stop! * Let Me take it from here * Pour your heart out * Stop whining! Suck it up. Be strong. Courageous. Do what needs to be done & leave the consequences to Me * Show some compassion here * Have mercy * Share * Take a stand! * Back off! * Say something * Bite your tongue! * Hold on! * Let it go, already * Claim it * Proclaim it * Leave * Press on * Remember * Forget * Forgive * Don't forget * Work hard! * Rest * Bloom & grow * Uproot & transplant * Be encouraged * Be warned * Be content * Be tender * Be firm * Run the other way! * ....
Trying to sort thru' all my options based on the little I know for sure is futile but I know that if I just be still & know that He is God (& remember that I am not!) - He will be faithful to meet me where I'm at - that place I described recently. The place where, where I'm at in His Word intersects at any given time with where all the variables (circumstances, motives, feelings, etc.) combine to make whatever situation I'm dealing with unique. Even at times when I'm not reading in His Word - or not reading it as faithfully as I know I should be, often it's those words of His that I've memorized/hidden in my heart that somehow manage to make their way from my heart to the forefront of my mind at such a times as this.
12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12-13
Hebrews 4:12-13
God certainly knows how to get my attention & so often He uses the events & circumstances around me to do just that. Tho' He never forces me to listen or to do what He asks/suggests/commands. That choice is always mine to make. And it occurred to me, that what makes me unique & to respond certain ways at certain times (even when others would likely respond very differently) I believe can be summed up in one word: Choices.
When you add them all up - every single good & bad choice I've ever made plus many that others have made - you get me. If any different choices had been made along the way, I'd be different. I've certainly learned a lot from my choices - & in fact, some of the most difficult lessons I've learned have been the result of making poor choices. When you factor in how my choices affect others it gets rather mind boggling, but let's not go there just now.
....My point is - as time goes on I hope to become less like me & more like Him all the time....one choice at a time. In the meantime, I hope for at least some shreds of evidence to that effect to be revealed now & then in how I choose (hopefully consisently!) to respond to the events & circumstances around me.
17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:14 - 18
2 Corinthians 3:14 - 18
4 comments:
Oh My goodness, everytime I read your posts it's like we've known eachother before blogland! Yesterday I actually was going to post on where John the Baptist said something like: I must decrease, and Him increase. Kinda like your last paragraph, less of me and more of Him! But if you been to my place you know that a very different post come out of yesterday. It's ok, you said what wouldn't come out of my fingertips yesterday. The words weren't there, they were replace. I so LOVE the para under "Sometimes I sense that He says ..." It made me smile like the sun shining out my window! I get you. So thankful for you. :)
I often wonder if I am *hearing* correctly, when I am trying to move forward. Sometimes I know I've done what He's wanted (or He's happy with my choice), but sometimes it's just not clear....
Ah, I am human.... :)
Hi Tammy. Sometimes I wonder if what I say makes sense to anyone else... so when you say "I get you" ... that means a lot -- to me :)
Farmgal...yah... after I read your comment I tho't, I should tack on a disclaimer indicating that by no means do I always "hear" Him as clearly as I want to. As you say, sometimes I just know what's right/wrong...other times it's not so clear. Sometimes I only see it clearly in hindsight (they say that's 20/20) And - for the record I don't think there is always one "right" option but rather, I think often He gives us much more freedom than that - to choose from among sometimes many good options ... tho' I admit that those times & the times when it seems like there are no good options - are often the choices I wrestle w/ the most.
I just saw this in catching up on your blog! I am truly honored to be quoted here!
Post a Comment