 Fireside Chat ... |
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The holiday season is upon us and it is during these times that many of us begin to reflect upon pass regrets that only lead to us attempting to make up for lost time. Guess what? Once time is gone you cannot get it back, so pressing onward is going to bring a lot more peace to your planning. We have become overwhelmed with chasing after to do lists that usually begin to take on a life of its own. Just as the book of Ecclesiastes offers a rendition of the various seasons in life, we must apply this same principal to our priorities in life. What is really important to you?
Pursuing those things that leave us with a temporary high will always leave us feeling empty and restless. This type of attitude leads to what I call the "me" syndrome. Becoming preoccupied with the temporal and sowing more into this condition can send you on a downward spiral that will have you screaming for breakthrough. When we sow in the Spirit, we reap in the Spirit everlasting life, finding ourselves fully satisfied in what the Savior has to offer, (Galatians 6:8, NKJV).
As women we have portrayed ourselves as some type of superwoman handling our business, kids business, spouses business, and will attempt to handle God's business. Newsflash, nowhere in God's plan for his daughters did He say we must put on the armor of superwoman. We created this special suit thinking it would propel, protect, and cover us properly only to realize that the suit is full of holes. The Whole Armor of God is what will enable us to withstand day-to-day challenges (Ephesians Chapter 6).
Obviously, we are great multi-taskers and can accomplish numerous tasks without flinching. Now, you would think this is a curse, but any sane female knows this God given ability is one of the many blessings we have been endowed with. How we use it, now that is another story entirely. You see, I heard a sister say, "I need to take better care of myself. I need some me time." My question is why then do we keep drawing lines through our manicure, bubble baths, and book club fellowships? Taking care of me means I am better equipped to take care of those I love. Clothing myself in the armor of God first keeps me while I am in the process of covering another. Embracing the idea of taking care of me in accordance with God's plan leaves no room for regrets and anxiety.
Oh, this letter is not about presenting you with answers I do not have. I am rowing in the same boat with many of you with half an oar myself. This dialogue (and I hope you do respond), is to inspire us all to stop, think, plan better, and execute. A good place to start is by refusing to enter into this season clothed in stress related to that superwoman suit we constructed. There is no need to add more super to woman because woman was super from the beginning when being fashioned from a mere rib by the hand of God (Genesis 2:22). I choose to simply be "woman" because that is super enough for me.
This would be a great opportunity to do something different, begin a new tradition this season, and stop the madness by formulating to do lists around the eternal benefits of the Kingdom of God over a temporary fix. After all, only Jesus can satisfy our thirst. With that said, I challenge you to celebrate life by focusing forward as we move deeper into the holiday season. "No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God," (Luke 9:62, NKJV). Grasp hold of these principals:
1) God is serious about you being committed to Him - Do Jesus First
2) Count the cost prior to engaging in any task - Owe only Love
3) Service to God is effective when focusing forward - Live without Regrets
A Prayer: Father help us to recognize that our service to you begins with us embracing life with a freshness of heart each day. Abiding in You is a beautiful place to dwell without conflict or worry. Your plan is to bring us peace, not evil, a future, and a hope, (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV). You have equipped us with all that we need. We only need trust in You more than we trust in ourselves.
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