On September 5, 2022, after coming home from a three day holiday weekend at my family’s house, I laid on the floor needing rest. Not the type of rest we usually get, but the rest that only Jesus can give.
I needed to lay in His arms, but first I need to ask for forgiveness. You may wonder what have I done. I’ll tell you. I asked for forgiveness for putting other things as a higher priority.
One of those things was the planning of my annual family reunion. Don’t get me wrong, I love being one of the planners and being able to see the joy on my family faces when the time arrives. But….it can definitely take up a lot of time. I just need to put God first in all that I do and everything else will fall into place.
So as I laid there, I put on some worship music and the tears started to flow. If your relationship with God is currently tight again but you once backed off, swayed away or just been plain distracted, and yet He was still abounding in love, grace and mercy, then you will understand the rest I needed from Jesus, the worship I gave to Jesus and the tears that flowed for Jesus.
Just knowing that He would always be there waiting with open arms. Just knowing that His mercies grow new every morning. God is a loving, patient, merciful God that is full of understanding and grace.
When you are doing things outside of God’s leading and not going to Him first, you become frustrated, confused and just plain tired. That goes for anything in life. Personal, work, home, relationships, finances, business, just to name a few.
I sat in my closet this week with just my Bible, journal, and notebook and gave the Lord my undivided attention. I wrote down three areas in my life right now that I need His direction on for the rest of the year. Him and I developed a starting plan. After I wrote down the plan for all three areas, I prayed over it.
Then I wrote in my journal because I want to look back on this season in my life and see how God has worked on my life and in my life. Afterwards, I read Scripture and ended with prayer.
Another thing I needed to take to Jesus and ask for forgiveness for was my lack of consistency and discipline.
Some people think that it is real easy to be a follower of Christ and worker for the Kingdom….it’s not. It seems like the more you try to do, the more distractions come your way. The Lord has reminded me more that once though that “He cares more about the “being” rather the “doing”.
Of course, He takes delight in us working, serving and bringing souls to Christ, but He takes much delight in us sitting and spending quality time with Him. After all, we can’t effectively bring souls to the Kingdom without the King.
This truth reminds me of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-41 where Martha was in a frenzy trying to get dinner ready for Jesus and His disciples. While she was busy working and being distracted with preparations, Mary “sat at the feet of Jesus” listening and learning to what He was teaching. So, Martha got upset with Mary and approach Jesus about the matter. Jesus response was exactly what I needed to hear.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed, are indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:41-42
I want to encourage you and myself to always go to the feet of Jesus before anything else. It is not always easy. We all have different lives. Some are parents, employees, spouses, business owners etc. while trying to maintain a social life and take care of our mental health all at the same time. That is a whole lot and then some. But, lets remember who we came from and who made all of those things possible and He will give us grace and guidance in each area.
He knew you before you came to know yourself (Jeremiah 1:5). Your life was already predestined for His purpose and will. (Ephesians 1:11-12). He has given you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
If you don’t know Jesus right now, you can start today. When you seek Him, you will find Him. Go to Him in repentance and a willingness to change. Accept Him in your daily life and live for His purpose and glory.
Thank you all for reading, Monique ST
For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:16
Viola Perrin says
Love this and oh so true. I find myself failing God and myself in coming to Him when daily trials and obstacles come at me. I know He is always right there with me, but i don’t always turn my problems over to Him . We let self get in the way. I need to learn to do as you said at the beginning of your comments. Lay in His arms and give it all to Him. I am so proud of where you are with the Lord in your life. You are a great witness and Inspiration.
Monique ST says
What helps me out during trials is knowing that “God already has my life planned out from beginning to end”. Therefore, it is really no need to worry. He already knows the day ahead before He wakes you up and it’s nothing that He can’t overcome. Thank you for reading and I’m grateful that it could be of some help to you. ♥️