Frustration is not the will of God. There is time to do anything and everything God wants us to do. ~Elizabeth Elliot
Have you ever dreamed you were on a merry-go-round and couldn't get off? Around and around, up and down, playing the Joseph Polka in double time as you frantically wave to the conductor that you want to exit -- now?
That's how I feel sometimes when I try to accomplish all my obligations so I can race to do the fun things -- until even the fun things aren't fun any longer. The more I race, the more people want me to do until I'm singing, I am happy in the service of the King; I am happy, oh so happy, in double time, feeling my smile slip a bit with each verse.
The Obstacles to Growth Survey found that on average, more than 4 in 10 Christians around the world say they "often" or "always" rush from task to task. And around 6 in 10 Christians say that it is "often" or "always" true that "the busyness of life gets in the way of developing my relationship with God".
Sometimes we just need to stop and figure out which activities are the most important. Immediately we think all our "God-activities" should come first. While I'm not suggesting God should come last, I do feel like sometimes our attitudes toward our part of God's work need to be reexamined. Some good questions to ask ourselves would be:
1. Is this project one that God placed on my heart or does it belong to another?
2. Has God given me the talents to accomplish this activity?
3. Is this activity man-breathed or God-breathed?
I serve a gracious God. While He is relentless in His pursuit, He is considerate of our limitations. I live intimately with Him, yet He does not expect me to do what He has called others to do. If God wanted me to be a cookie cutter Christian wouldn't He have mass-produced man? Instead, He "formed me in my mother's womb" -- uniquely me. Me, with brown eyes and an overdose of shyness. Me, with a love of books and all things written and a tendency to forget the dust on the cherry hall table while I read. Me, with a desire for knowledge and wisdom and an inclination to search for a description of the basket Paul used instead of pursuing God's Word. Me, with a passion for encouragement and a too-quick-judgement of those who live for themselves. Me, with a disdain of surface feelings and a deep desire to understand the holiness of God.
I'm not perfect. I would have been -- without the fall. Instead, I was born with heaven and earth in my heart -- wanting to be perfect, yet living in a very human mind. Thus the merry-go-round. Trying to please everyone, yet failing to accomplish what my Maker desires from me.
I'm ready to climb off my galloping horse and walk in the path God chose for me -- the path that is tied to the promise, "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight." If we are on a path not intended for us -- a path straightened for a friend, pastor or even a blogger we admire -- we cannot be assured God will make our pathway straight.
Only when I am strengthened and renewed by the sweet presence of God will I be able to choose God's path. A presence I will take with me, to cover my activities and share with others. Without the Holy Spirit I cannot expect God's plan to be effective. I need off the merry-go-round to engage in God's priorities and internalize His joy so I can truthfully sing, "I am happy in the service of the King."
I got these animal crackers for the snack, but wasn't pleased with them...you really can't tell they are animals at all. I would suggest buying the original ones or the party ones with pink icing and sprinkles.
That's how I feel sometimes when I try to accomplish all my obligations so I can race to do the fun things -- until even the fun things aren't fun any longer. The more I race, the more people want me to do until I'm singing, I am happy in the service of the King; I am happy, oh so happy, in double time, feeling my smile slip a bit with each verse.
The Obstacles to Growth Survey found that on average, more than 4 in 10 Christians around the world say they "often" or "always" rush from task to task. And around 6 in 10 Christians say that it is "often" or "always" true that "the busyness of life gets in the way of developing my relationship with God".
Sometimes we just need to stop and figure out which activities are the most important. Immediately we think all our "God-activities" should come first. While I'm not suggesting God should come last, I do feel like sometimes our attitudes toward our part of God's work need to be reexamined. Some good questions to ask ourselves would be:
1. Is this project one that God placed on my heart or does it belong to another?
2. Has God given me the talents to accomplish this activity?
3. Is this activity man-breathed or God-breathed?
I serve a gracious God. While He is relentless in His pursuit, He is considerate of our limitations. I live intimately with Him, yet He does not expect me to do what He has called others to do. If God wanted me to be a cookie cutter Christian wouldn't He have mass-produced man? Instead, He "formed me in my mother's womb" -- uniquely me. Me, with brown eyes and an overdose of shyness. Me, with a love of books and all things written and a tendency to forget the dust on the cherry hall table while I read. Me, with a desire for knowledge and wisdom and an inclination to search for a description of the basket Paul used instead of pursuing God's Word. Me, with a passion for encouragement and a too-quick-judgement of those who live for themselves. Me, with a disdain of surface feelings and a deep desire to understand the holiness of God.
I'm not perfect. I would have been -- without the fall. Instead, I was born with heaven and earth in my heart -- wanting to be perfect, yet living in a very human mind. Thus the merry-go-round. Trying to please everyone, yet failing to accomplish what my Maker desires from me. I'm ready to climb off my galloping horse and walk in the path God chose for me -- the path that is tied to the promise, "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight." If we are on a path not intended for us -- a path straightened for a friend, pastor or even a blogger we admire -- we cannot be assured God will make our pathway straight.
Only when I am strengthened and renewed by the sweet presence of God will I be able to choose God's path. A presence I will take with me, to cover my activities and share with others. Without the Holy Spirit I cannot expect God's plan to be effective. I need off the merry-go-round to engage in God's priorities and internalize His joy so I can truthfully sing, "I am happy in the service of the King."
* * * * *
I got these animal crackers for the snack, but wasn't pleased with them...you really can't tell they are animals at all. I would suggest buying the original ones or the party ones with pink icing and sprinkles.- Bagel half
- Peanut Butter
- Animal Crackers
- Skittles
Color a Carousel Page
Play a Carousel Matching Game
Make a Carousel Model
