Wednesday, April 30, 2014

The Job Search...

As I continue my job search, my prayer continues to be, "Not just a job, but the job You have for me, Lord." Should it just be about money, benefits, location, work schedule, and other things? I really don't think so. To me it's about being in the right place at the right time as I do what God wants me to do. As I turn in job resumes on a daily basis doing my part, I must believe that God will do His part and open the right door for me. That's why I seem to have such a peace. God is faithful, trustworthy and knows the plan for my life. As I put my trust in Him, peace is the only thing that can and should arise. As people ask me what I want to do, I say things like, "HR, management, administration or communications", but really it's whatever the Lord wants. It's whatever door He opens for me where there are people who need Christ. The journey of faith is definitely one of adventure, with the opportunity of great highs or lows, depending on what you allow to yourself to think about. In this season of searching for the next step in my career, I have a wonderful opportunity to live out my favorite two verses Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." There's nothing quite living out your favorite verses :) There are definitely things I'd like to do, but I need to make sure they're what God wants me to do. I know that as I seek His will in this season, He's going to make the path I'm to take so obvious...

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Learning to Surrender

The journey I'm presently on is one of learning what total surrender to the Lord is and having to trust Him at every turn. Surrender is a word most people dislike, or simply don't fully understand. Webster describes surrender as, "giving control to someone else." As a Christian I choose to surrender my life to God, allowing Him to use me as His servant. That means allowing His desires to be accomplished through me. Unfortunately, it's very easy to do what we want to do and how we want to do it. Personally, I think it's easy to say that our life is surrendered to the Lord, but in reality, the way we live it out may not line up with what we say. I think it's easy to say, "I want this or that. Or I want to go there or do this." But have you ever wondered if what you want is actually what God wants? I'm now frequently asking the question, "God, what do you want today?" If I don't, before you know it, I could be way off course. God's will must become my will. What He desires must become my desire. What He wants me to do must be what I choose to do (and with the right attitude). A life of true surrender isn't doing what I want or what seems good, it's doing what He wants. Why is surrender so difficult for some people? Because it means moving from the driver's seat into the passenger's seat. What I'm learning on my journey is that there's no place I'd rather be than in the passenger's seat, with God in the driver's seat :)

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Timing is Everything...

The quote "timing is everything" couldn't be more true when it comes to life. You can do the right thing or even have the right answer, but if it's done or said at the wrong time, it usually doesn't work out. Every single day our lives are full of timing-related things. Think about your day up to this point and look at how many things have happened that required right timing. How about bringing your toothbrush up to your mouth to brush your teeth, which is a good thing, yet you don't open your mouth? A good thing that doesn't work out. How about changing gears, which is a good thing, but but you don't push in the clutch? I can hear that grinding sound now. One of the things I'm learning in this season of my life is how important timing can be. Timing that's not too early or not too late, but timing that's right on. Timing can be difference maker or difference breaker. I'm learning with timing that there are things I need to wait on and other things I need to move on. So how do you learn good timing? I've found that I can learn good timing from either experience or from the wisdom of others. Both are invaluable when it comes to learning better timing. What are the things you need good timing with in your life? How are you going to get better at your timing? These are great questions to think about and grow in :)

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Want God to Resist You?

Have you ever thought about what 1 Peter 5 says when it comes to pride and humility? Verse 5 says, "...For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble (AMP). Humility must describe who we are, not allowing any form of pride to even be in the same zip code. I'm challenged with the practical side of 1 Peter 5:6 which says, "Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you..." (AMP). Have you ever wondered why there's such a battle in our lives between humility and pride? Although humility is what's to be seen in our lives, pride somehow worms its way in. Unfortunately, in my own life there have been many times where I have allowed pride to lead me, when it should have been humility. But I clearly see how this battle must be fought on a daily basis, with humility being victorious and pride being crushed. With every word spoken, thought thought and action done, I must not give an inch to pride. If I'm to be Christ-like, humility will be evident in my life and who I am. I definitely don't want God to resist me in any way, and am in need of His grace that's given to the humble :) 

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Every Single Day...

It's funny to me how people can perceive things about you simply because of your title. Yes, I am a pastor. But does that make me any different than the next person? Not really! I have responsibilities and requirements associated with being a pastor, but in reality I'm just like everybody else :) I have struggles and battles. I need strength and courage. My faith and trust in God can constantly stretched. Just like you, not every day is off the charts or something to talk about. However, we have a God who is with us, hears our prayers and moves on our behalf. This is what helps us make it through the day sometimes. This is what gives us strength to walk the path He asks us to walk. This is our source of hope for today and tomorrow. I always enjoy someone's reaction when I'm asked if there's anything they can pray for me about. And as I give them several things, they seem taken back by the fact that in no way am I perfect or have everything under control (too funny...) I'll be the first to admit I'm not perfect and that most things are out of my control and I'm always having to trust the Lord. The thing I'm thankful for is a God who loves me and cares about me. It makes ALL the difference in my life :)