Faith Building

Over and over again, I have to refocus.  You would think after 30-something years of living this life, losing my way, and having to look at the map again - I would have it memorized.  But frequently I need a refresher on how things work.  I've found I'm not the only one who gets distracted by all the craziness of everyday life.  I like lists.  Here is a list that helps me get back on track.

1.  God has you where you are FOR A REASON.
        - not because you are good enough.
        - not because you are being punished.
      But because you are part of this plan that is WAY bigger than you or me.
                        What's your role - TODAY?

2.  It starts with confession.  Daily confession is best.  Confession of our shortcomings, our pride, our small attention span when He's trying to use us.  Confession of our anger, our distrust, our judgement.  Humble yourself.

3.  Recognition that we can ALWAYS trust our Lord because he is CONSISTENT (something we are not).  So give thanks today for his wisdom.  Or his grace.  Or his faithfulness (he never goes back on a promise).  Or what a just God He is.  Pick something.  You can find details in THE BIBLE.  Fill up your soul with His consistency.

4.  Ask that God's will be done in your life.  Not your will.  Not the will of your friends or your husband or your mom.  Ask that your heart would be filled with the desire to serve Him the way He wants you to.  Ask that He would reveal to you the direction that He has for you.  And when you ask, get ready to hear.  Sometimes it's loud and roaring.  Sometimes it requires more silence and waiting.  But embrace the truth that God does have a job for you to do.
P.S.  That job might not be very glamorous.  Changing diapers is still an important job.  :)

5.  Work as if working for God, not man.  So yeah, changing diapers is important.  But holy cow, the crying and the whining and the constant drain that our children can have on us - it makes this job incredibly difficult.  At some point I managed a couple of minutes to jot down this verse and post it on my refrigerator...

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.  

You are serving the Lord Christ..."  

Colossians 3:23-24

By the way - I've found the jobs he hands out don't really have much to do with our own abilities.  Take a look at Moses, David, or Paul.  (Read more about them in His Word - the place where He communicates with you/me/us.)  These are guys that would not look good on a resume for what God had planned.  It's not about you.  It's about Him.

6.  One last thing.  I believe that we are here to serve others.  I've got plenty of verses to back me up on this, but one of my favorites is this one...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5