Recognizing the times in life where God takes the "crazy," and turns it into "beautiful." KNOWING 'WHERE' YOU ARE GOING IS NOT ESSENTIAL WHEN GOD IS IN THE LEAD.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Rethinking "enough"
How many is enough? How much? This morning I awoke with the thought of, "how much is enough?" Why is it that we as humans set standards, and norms for ourselves without any real basis? We say to ourselves, (sometimes without words) that, "if we don't have just 'this' much...then we are not having enough, getting enough, and therefore we cannot be content.
And then my thoughts go back to the verses in Matthew that speak of how GOD knows what we need. 'And who of you can ADD a single hour to your life by worrying.' Really, how can we? O but we try, we try to stretch our time, manipualte our days, manhandle our schedules and plan the heck out of every moment to maximize the experience and hopefully, acheive the hoped for outcome. Whatever it may be that is personal to us in our desires for more. Often I find myself saying, "That I just want enough of ......" and I want to stop and ask myself and say, "who says???" Who set that standard that you are judging by? You? Or God? Most often I confess, I set my own standards. I make my own goals, I decide my own norms, and I fail to ask God what HE thinks about my standards and if they are "OK" or not.
For some your enough is way too much, and for another, your not enough is perfect. SO this is the truth, we are all unique, and the problem is that we often fail to remember that the God of the universe who created us, has plans for us that lead to peace. Not to discontentment. Plans that cause us to be able to rest in whatever cirucmstances we are in. It may not be the "perfect amount" that we had once thought that we needed, wanted or had to have, but it will be Gods destined amount for us. For you, for me. And when I set myself to be at peace with His desires, His set numbers, that I guaruntee my friends, that my well being will be more well off. I will be at peace with myself, and at peace with my Maker. For who is it that I first blame when I don't get enough? God. Yes. I blame all perfect, all knowing, matchless God. Because I think God should fit into MY box. Not I into His. Do you see the great danger in the "not enough" thinking trap? Whenever I begin to tell God what I think He ought to do for me to make me be content, I will run into problems.
Perhaps that is what Jesus meant when He said, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name, ask and your joy shall be complete." John 16:24
I have been coming to God with my list of set norms and asking Him to "make it happen please..." and then I am angry and losing faith when my list is not checked off in the order it was reieved. O Lord I repent I say now as I realize my folly. Isn't it amazing how quickly I can take my eyes off of Him and run in my own directions towards my own desires. How often do I say on this blog and in life, "my life is not my own.." and yet the way I live seems to be in contridiction with that I set my norms and standards, and my "enough." God alone is to be feared. I don't have to be afraid of not reaching my enough. Because God is not only enough, He is as the song says, "More than enough.." AND I know it to be true. So you fill in the blank, of your not enough....
"Not enough hours...."
"Not enough money..."
"It will be enough if I have, 1,2,3,4 more...."
"I'm not going to be ok unless I get 6...no 7... in this week..."
"real good Christians spend 1,2,5 hours a day with God...and thats how it'll be enough..."
STOP!!!! Stop setting the norms! Stop writing your own gospel of how you'll be ok! (I say this to myself)
Let God write the rules! Let God direct your paths! Let God orchestrate your days, weeks and hours. Let God have the full reign in your thinking! Let God take over it all and I know we will see things fall into places that bring peace. It may not be our proconcieved idea of how things ought to look, but you will know you are right where you need be with just enough by how your peace sets in.
This my friends is how we can have JOY in all circumstances....Not because we are in perfect places...but because God has us right we are supposed to be in regards to our schedules, our numbers and our times.
And know this, Gods number for you, is different than His number for your neighbor. So don't compare to other people to find your norms. Instead, stare into the perfect law of Christ that gives hope, stare into the eyes of The Lord, and rest in whatever number He gives you. Be content with the normal He creates for you...knowing that our striving, or seeking is pointless if we are doing it outside of God's design, we will only be 'spinning our tires..'
I hope these thoughts speak to you because these thoughts have really stirred within me the desire to have God change my thinking. To get my thoughts in line with His. TO pray for protection against the enemy and how he tries to drag me down in whatever way possible.
And the enemy would like nothing more than to have me and you, backed in a corner, discontent, fearful and doubting God's plans for our lives.
Clarity of thought comes with aligning our hearts with God's will for our lives and throwing ourselves in complete abondment to the One who died to set us free.
Here is prayer you can pray to start this day fresh...
God, you are enough, You are all I need!
Get my thinking in line with yours!
Sheild me from the lies of the enemy.
I trust that you are doing what is best for me!
Forgive me for my fear and distrust, My life is yours!
Amen
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