It's crazy trying to juggle everything - family, church, work, marriage, self... FAITH. Sometimes I'm so busy with "life" that I can't find quality time w/ God. And then I'm stressing out b/c I have no sense of balance or peace. I never expected to be so busy when trying to plant a church. Isn't that crazy? I mean, for so long, it seemed like nothing was going on and then suddenly, or so it seems, we're in high gear and life is constantly going. I haven't quite adjusted though and I'm missing my time w/ Jesus.
Lord, help me to find the time, to make the time, to be with you. In you alone is where I find my peace, my hope, my assurance.
You know, I want to be a real lover of people -- not my usual self. I'm typically so reserved until I feel safe. But I don't want that anymore. I want to be free to love the people that come into my life... free w/o agenda. I think that's part of my struggle w/ feeling balanced & whole. I spend a lot of energy guarding myself as I invest in relationships. Ironic, isn't it? I'm so annoyed by the frivolous or shallow, but my stinking guard is up so strong and so high that by the time I decide to let somebody in, it's exhausting; and then I feel, literally, like I don't have a hold on anything else. So everything and everyone's at a safe distance. I feel in control and yet unbalanced.
Only in God be at rest my soul, for from him comes my strength. He alone is my rock, my safety, my stronghold; I shall not be moved.
2 comments:
After reading your blog...I thought I would share my morning devotional with you. Hope it inpires. Take care!
Monday, November 13, 2006
The "Selfish" Sea
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-12
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.
-Luke 6:38 (NRSV)
MOST of the sixth-graders to whom I teach ancient history think it would be cool to float on the salty waters of the Dead Sea. "Even I could float there!" said one enthusiastic youngster. I explained how the salinity that allows people to float on the inland sea is also what makes it a "selfish sea," inhospitable to marine life. No fish, no algae, no worms - it is, indeed, dead.
The Jordan River feeds the salt-heavy water of the Dead Sea lying almost 1,500 feet below sea level, but there is no outlet. In the intense, dry heat of the low valley, roughly 60 inches of water evaporates in a year's time, leaving 10 times more salt and minerals than are found in the nearby Mediterranean Sea.
With nothing flowing out, the Dead Sea is forever taking, never giving. This reminds us that we too can become "dead seas" if we do not share our time, our resources, or ourselves with others. Jesus assured us that we won't run short of what we need if we share: "Give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:38). We keep the waters of life flowing through us and avoid spiritual stagnation by serving, giving, and sharing.
Davalynn Spencer (California, U.S.A.)
Loving God, show us how to let your living water flow through us to others. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
The more we give to others, the more God's life flows to us and through us.
God's living water has flown through you to me, Teresa. =) Love you.
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