Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2I have to be honest, my relationship with the Lord has not been what it should be the last several weeks. It is really bothering me that God has not been a priority in my life. Whenever I am feeling down, knowing God is there and is all that matters in the end is what lifts me back up. However, we are not promised that we will be with God in the end. Just being a good person and showing up to church every week is not the way. We are called to do more and so far I have not done more. I am perfectly content just being and that is scaring me. Does anyone else feel the same way?
19 comments:
Sweet Marianne, I think sometimes we get caught up in the Doing more than we do in the Being with God. If we are always busy doing we can become a Martha remember how Mary sat at his feet and was just Being with him. In any relationship it is the one on one quiet time that is the most intimate and that is how it is with God. He speaks softly so we must be quiet and still to hear his voice. I believe it is sometimes a deception that makes us feel we have to be up and doing all the time. Be Still and KNOW that I am GOD!! I think that says it all, Happy Sunday sweet girl, Kathysue
AMEN, Kathsue! You gave me goosebumps! Remember, we are saved by grace! :)
Marianne, so true, I have a project that I have been procrastinating about...and have I prayed about it? No, however I will now. Thank you for the inspiration. Come visit!
Karena
Art by Karena
I know what you mean. I heard several times that the devil uses busyness as his main distraction to keep you from the Lord and I believe it. I also tend to become proud of myself for things I have accomplished instead of praising to Lord for the opportunities and talents he has given me.
The awesome thing is that He gives us grace and mercy every time we become apathetic. He understands that we are of human nature and doesnt expect us to be perfect. I go up and down in my relationship and time with the Lord, but I know He is GOOD, and loving and is there when i come to him. His love is unconditional and He takes us back every every every time, and i LOVE that about Him and that makes me want to love on Him and bless him.
We ARE called to do more than just go to church and be a "good" person, but i choose to accept His grace and stand under his smile and his love and i feel so delighted in every time i do.
Anyway,I think He sees your heart and your desire to love him and live for him and he loves that about you.
have a pretty day!
Thank you all so much. Your words mean more to me than you know.
Marianne,
If the devil can't get destruction, he'll settle for distraction. Kathysue is right - it's grace and don't fool yourself into believing there is anything you can DO to win Him over. We are all saved by grace, not by our actions. Indeed, we are called to live holy lives, but by no means is that our ticket. It seems like something is stirring inside you and that is good - it is that stirring that will get you to move beyond where you are now, closer to Him, which is where He wants you to be. I'm going to email you something really special right now.
Love to you~~~
Kara
I absolutely know how you feel. I've been struggling with the same thing. As a college student, it's hard enough to find the time and it's even harder to find the right people to be my support system and help me in my walk with the Lord. I love your blog and I love that you are so open and willing to share your struggles in your faith! Know that you're not alone and that I'm praying for you!
Wow... thank you for your post and for all the comments afterwards. Kara hit the nail on the head about distraction. That's how Satan gets me - every time.
I have been there several times through out my life ! Having God as the priority in our lives is so important. We all seem to get distracted by the every day happenings in the world and in our own lives that we sometimes forget the person that is the MOST important GOD ! Hugs and know I've been there too :)
You have taken the first step in strenghening your relationship with the Lord, just by admitting to yourself that you have "strayed." That takes so much courage and wisdom! We all have those days, weeks, months, years, where we know that we could be doing more. Thankfully our God is a loving, understanding God that will always take you back and hold you in His arms. He truly is our Father.
Thank you for this post... I needed it, because I have actually been feeling the same way.. I just hadn't found the courage to admit it to myself yet.
I forgot to mention I'm a photog and I'm in The Ham frequently on work. Let me know if you'd ever like to meet for coffee :).
www.bmofoto.net
I don't know that any of us could say it more eloquently than Kathysue has ... Just know that you are never alone -- in anything -- Marianne!
I so enjoyed this post and all the comments.
The drift can be so subtle sometimes, distractions are everywhere. But it's wonderful to know that we have a God who patiently pursues us! That makes me want to run back to Him even more. When we're connected and surrendered the Holy Spirit can use us in awesome ways.
thanks for reminding me.
I really appreciate your honesty. When you're at church, it's so hard to look around and imagine others are feeling the same way. Busyness has gotten my priorities out of order, as well. It definitely affects every area of my life when I'm not putting Him first.
Hope you have a good week.
Emily
Great post... and great comments!
My sweet friend, Marianne, you are perfect in God's eyes because you have Jesus in your heart...all the rest is left to the Holy Spirit to teach us and lead us and accomplish in us. All we have to do is stay connected to the Vine by spending time with Him in prayer and reading His Word and resting in His grace. This was a wonderful post and has wonderful comments. You are so precious.
We all struggle with this at times Marianne...I know I do quite often. God knows your heart though and just the fact that you care...I think pleases Him very much. And by the way missy...what do you think your little "Quite Time" posts are, chopped liver??? Your just "being" is pretty special I'd say!
Blessings...xxoo
I have just stumbled across your blog tonight through my desire to find design inspiration. To find a sister in Christ was such a lovely surprise! Even better were the comments from such beautiful and faithful women who are standing beside you. Our Lord Jesus is mighty to save. He died once for all. There's nothing you can do but accept Him and His grace and be open to Him doing a good work in you. He knows you can't do it alone. He never expected you to. Hence His perfect sacrifice; Jesus.
Prayers,
Heather your sister in Christ in Japan
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