Gone til November?

I wasn't sure when I was going to post again. Praise God, it isn't actually November. Today, much of my day was spent working on my business. I took a huge step back from my business. Taking a step back wasn't in my plans but, I ended up taking a much needed month or so off. The theme that keeps playing over and over for the past few months, probably longer, is to slow down. I have been going so hard and nonstop. But God sure does have a way of making you take time from Him and for yourself. I find that when I become so consumed with busyness, my time in devotion and prayer suffer. When I'm far from Him, I lose sight of God's purpose for my life. Without focus it's impossible to maintain a relationship and seek direction from God. Lord please help me give my undivided attention to you.

Psalm 139

1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

John 3:16

How Bright Is Your Light?

Sometimes you need to get away to gain perspective. I had the pleasure of attending a retreat with my women’s group from church. We had three great sessions mixed in with other activities over the course of a few days. Our last session ended with the below topic and scripture:

How Bright Is Your Light?

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

This scripture made me think about how others see me. When I die, what will others say about me? I went to two funerals a few weeks ago, and during the time of remembrance people had so many kind words to say about the deceased. But, it wasn’t the kind words that stood out to me... what stood out were the stories people shared about the deceased sharing their faith with others, and giving the glory to God in all that they did.

In all that I do, do people see Christ in me? Am I giving all the glory to God? Sometimes we do a great job of pretending to be what we want others to think we are. But God sees through all that… He sees our true heart. In my inner most being I want others to see Christ in me. For Christ to be in me, I have to be a student of the Word. Reading the bible isn't just enough in understanding and learning, I have to be in communication and relationship with Christ. The other part of being a student of the bible is applying what I learn to my daily life and all my decisions. When I do all these things consistently, I am living out Matthew 5:16. I have to make the decision each day to not let my light go out, fade, flicker, etc.