January 1, 2015

Change Require A Plan

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. 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 12:1-2

The new year has dawned sunny and cold, a beautiful respite from the rain that has been over us in recent days. It is a day to start fresh, to set goals, to walk a new path. Isn't that what New Year's Day is all about?

What have you resolved to do differently this year? Lose weight? Change jobs? Gather your family closer? Pursue God more fully? We've all got goals but it's not the goal that makes the change. It's the person implementing a plan. So what's your plan?

Yeah. That's what I thought. Most of us set lofty goals with no plan, no road map on how to get there. Then we beat ourselves up because we fail. Maybe next year, we tell ourselves. How about this year?

Let's break it down. How do you lose weight? One pound at a time. There's no quick fix. You eat less and exercise more. It sounds simple because it is. The next step is the one most folks don't ever take. What does eating less mean? Analyze your food choices. What are you eating that's bad for you? What about portion size? And what does exercise look like in your life? Walking in the park? Joining a gym and participating every other day? Make it specific and you're far more likely to achieve your goal.

One of my greatest frustrations is when people tell me they want to be closer to God, to know Him on a deeper level, but refuse to make time for Him and His Word. They're full of excuses. We all are. Family obligations, work obligations, church duties eat up our time. But what good is it all if we don't have our Creator to sustain us through it all?

Do you want to be closer to God? Then make that choice and devise a plan to make it happen. Choose an easy for you to read Bible and start with Genesis Chapter 1, verse 1. You don't need to follow a reading plan. (Though you can if you want to.) Just begin. I promise that God will meet you there. And I know that Satan will put obstacle after obstacle in your path. Do it anyone.

Set a time and make it happen. Sacrifice sleep if you need to. Turn off the television. Close the door. Make the commitment and see it through. You will never be closer to God if you aren't willing to spend time alone with Him. It's that simple.

Today begins a new year. If you want to make a change, develop a plan and see it through.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Follow God's Path

"This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'"

-- Jeremiah 6:16a

I had a plan. I was heading downstairs for another cup of coffee. I knew it would be perfect as I curled up with my Bible for some quality time with God before I started work for the day. It was a good plan. Too bad it got set aside.

In my world, someone always has another plan. Sometimes it even seems necessary. On this day, the electric fences were all shorted. That can be a big issue, especially when you have a few calves who think they can go where they want to. My Dad looked at me. I set my coffee mug on the counter and headed for the door. Pretty soon, he was back in his recliner. I spent almost three hours getting things working again.

I know many people wonder why I'm here and why I do such things. I could go on and on, giving reasons and making excuses. The short answer is simple. This is where God wants me to be. I don't always agree. Just a few days ago I was ready to toss in the towel and hand it all over to someone else. There is no one else. And God has made it clear He has assigned this task to me.

Most of the time I keep a sense of humor about it all. I have to. It's not an easy road, caring for people who refuse to admit they need help. It hurts that they look down on me because I don't have a "regular" job. Last spring I worked part-time for a few months. I don't know who was more stressed. They didn't enjoy working their lives -- doctor appointments, grocery store, fence fixing -- around my work schedule. And I resented that I had zero time to actually work -- paint furniture and create folk art. Well, at least now I know what isn't possible in my world.

I find my strength in God. I look to Him for guidance and direction. Sometimes I think He'd like me to make a decision or two on my own. I'm afraid to. What if I get it all wrong? Nope. I'd rather Him lead the way and I'll just follow along. I've tried it the other way. That was a disaster I don't want to repeat.

I don't know where I'm heading on this journey but I do know where I'll end up. I can't wait to meet Jesus face-to-face! In the meantime, I'm doing all I can to do God's will. I don't always agree with Him. And I don't always get it right. But I'm trying and I know He sees that. It's a peaceful place to be, living in His will.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

God Has A Plan For Me

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." -- Psalm 143:8

I want a map. I'm pretty good at following road maps so I figure a map would be a good thing for me. Of course, God would probably remind me that I do miss turns, get sidetracked and end up losing my way. Okay. Maybe I need more than a map.

It's just that I get frustrated sometimes trying to figure out which way God wants me to go. I am easily distracted. I do make wrong turns. Some days I get so caught up in what I want that I can't tell if God is speaking or I'm just hearing what I want to hear. Know what I mean?

It's in those times that I try to make myself take a deep breath and a quiet interlude. I read a little scripture and ask God to tell me what to do. Then I do something that can be quite difficult for me. I shut up. How else am I ever going to hear God's voice?

Of course, that doesn't always mean He's ready to speak. He has been known to let me contemplate things for days and days. Sometimes longer. God's timing and mine frequently aren't the same. I am a want it now kind of person. He's all about teaching me patience and showing me that good things are worth the wait.

I'll always be a work in progress. I'll probably always be impatient, looking up at God and asking "what now?" But that's the important part. Seeking God. Asking for His Will and His advice, even on the things that seem trivial and unimportant to others. If it's important to me, it's important to Him. It took me a long time to get that point.

I don't know where my future is headed. Or even if I have a future. But I trust God. I know He has a plan. I know He loves me and wants good things for me. And most days that's really all I need to know.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

God Has A Plan

"Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?" -- Job 21:7

This just popped out at me as I made my way through the Book of Job. It's something I've asked many times over the years. I understand why Job -- a righteous man in the midst of incredible suffering -- would ask such a question.

I know you've probably asked it yourself a time or two. The question rears its ugly head whenever a drunk driver careens his car into a vehicle filled with innocent people. He survives while the others are killed. We want to know why.

The question comes up as we watch someone we care about die slowly from cancer. Why, we ask God, must You take her. Why not take someone who doesn't do anything for others? Why take the one who gives of herself for others?

I could go on and on with examples. We may never understand on this side of Heaven. But there is one truth: God knows what He is doing. He has a plan. Maybe the life He takes today is so that the ones who are left behind can step up and know Him.

I don't mean to brush aside the agony of losing someone you love. And I certainly don't want to imply that God doesn't care because no one cares more than God. But sometimes we must suffer, sometimes we must travel through the darkness, so that others can clearly see God's light.