Just BE

-
So, here we are, once again in the final days of the old year, anticipating the new one just around the corner.  I am not one to make new year's resolutions, because by the end of the first week, I have forgotten all about them.  Although I do have quite a large sign on my fridge that states: "What we don't change, we chose".  It reminds me that when I open the refrigerator door, I don't have to just grab something to eat. I have the power to NOT open that door.

Recently as  I was thinking about some of the changes I want to see in myself in the coming year, the thought came to me:  "Just BE".  Just be what, Lord?  Happier? Thinner? Healthier?  Just be what, Lord? More spiritual? Less of a complainer? The answer came: "Just be-- stop trying so hard." Stop being so hard on myself.  Stop worrying about the future and fretting over the past. Let go of  the things I have no control over. Just let all the hurt and pain go and just be. Just be, and rest in Christ. As I offer myself to Him on a daily basis, it isn't a list of rules of do's and don't s- but it is resting in what I know the Word says.  Just let Him do the work through me, and stop working to receive His approval.  And if I make a mistake, as we all do- and I need to repent- repent and then just be. Just embrace the joy of my salvation. Just chose grace and peace on a daily, sometimes hourly basis.  Just be.  Just chose to love unconditionally especially to those who are unloving towards you. To rest in Him.  To seek His face in the secret place.  Just be. Just find joy in the daily routine.  We weren't all called to be some big preacher, teacher or prophet. Not all of us will influence the multitude. Just be. Influence the ones that God has already placed in my life.  Just be. Find joy and fulfillment in the everyday, very mundane life, which by the way- is the real life.  We weren't created to live on the mountain top. We were created to make a difference in valley.

The picture of the rose that I have been placing on my blog has great significance in my life.  Many years ago I was a very sad, lonely and depressed person. One day as I was praying the Lord dropped this into my spirit: "Loneliness is like a thorn, and although God doesn't remove it, the roses can still bloom, if you let them. Each day, a new rosebud will appear, and it can blossom and flourish, and be fragrant to those around you; and especially to God. If you don't let the roses bloom, the bush becomes a bush of thorns, which will eventually destroy itself and those around you. So let the roses bloom in your life."  As I began, back in those days, to let the roses bloom in my life, it brought about great change. This rose reminds me of God's Word to me many years ago. 

So, no list of resolutions- but to "just be".

God bless all of you in the coming year.  We can't determine what 2020 will bring, but we can determine to live for Christ.


~Donna




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Let Earth Receive Her King!

-
Image
  I love this time of year and I especially love the old Christmas carols. One of my favorites is “Joy to The World”. The words are so relevant to today. If you really look at the verses of many of the old carols, you get the whole picture of why Jesus came to earth as a baby. Many of them take you from the prophecies of old up to the age of glory when Christ shall rule and reign on this earth. One of the verses in “Joy to the World” says- “Let earth receive her King.” When Jesus walked on this earth many thought that He was going to set up His earthly kingdom at that time. In fact, most of His disciples and the Pharisees thought that He would .(See Luke 17: 20-24 ) But His kingdom was and is not of this world ( John 18:36 ). I was just reminded of this recently when I recalled the words of this song. We must let earth—receive Him as King- our “earth” meaning our lives. We are earthly- but we receive His spirit when we come to Him and allow Him to fill us with His Spirit. Sad
Read more

Extravagant Devotion Series ~ Introduction

-
Image
Scripture reference John 12:1-8; Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9 I saw this phrase “extravagant devotion” in one my study Bibles as it was describing Mary’s devotion for Christ.   It set me thinking and searching about my own devotion to God and what it was in Mary to have this phrase attributed to her. So, I began to do a little digging and praying. The Webster Dictionary defines “extravagant” as: "exceeding the limit of reason or necessity, lacking in moderation, balance and restraint, extremely or excessively elaborate and spending much more than necessary." There are a lot of moderate, balanced and restrained Christians in the Church today.   But God is seeking those a little “off balanced” with a lifestyle of giving “more than necessary” in their worship and devotion.   He is looking for those who display and live a life of “extravagant devotion” to Him.   This isn’t a fleshly display that we often see in churches and meetings today.   I personally
Read more

Embrace Expectancy

-
Image
 "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him". Psalm 62:5     Back in December I had  been sensing a hovering of God’s Spirit over me, a nearness- just like a whisp of air that comes into a room. I try to stay open to what He is up to. I felt a quivering, a stirring deep within my spirit. In prayer, I sensed that something was being birthed in my spirit. Last year it was the Women’s meetings. I have no idea at this point what it is this time. I feel new life, a new anointing, a fresh vision coming.  It has been said that when women first sense that they are pregnant, carrying new life inside of them, that they will feel a quivering, a fluttering, like birds’ wings fluttering. That is how I was feeling. Before the end of the year I  purchased a new planner for my desk. I usually start filling it up with appointments, birthdays, etc. But I felt to do something I had never done before. I had Keith and me lay hands on it and dedicate the new year to
Read more