RELAX

Still learning and thanking God for those He uses to teach me.  In Small Group this week, we are told to allow God to do the picking and choosing when it comes to how He uses us.  Confession----I am GUILTY of doing the picking.  I feel so burdened to be used by God that I do not give him time to do the pointing in the direction He has for me.  Instead I am out jumping in head first without waiting for His Green Light.

Can I tell you what a disaster it has been when I did not really hear from God, but instead took it upon myself to make something my current ministry.  OH SURE, God can still use me even in my impetus plunge, but it also can blow up in my face when it does not truly fit my gifts.  We were reminded to "RELAX", and wait to hear from God.  Without true conviction, and aligning or gifts with the ministry, we are asking for less than optimum use.  Pausing and looking to His Word for affirmation is NOT my strong suit.

Yesterday I discussed this with a trusted mentor.  I was reminded of the places God is using me---one on one - currently.  It is easy to get wrapped up in thinking "BIG" ministry.  The truth of the matter is God has a specific plan and purpose for each of us and the one on one is perhaps even more important and certainly just as important as the "BIG".  For each and every season, we are charged with service to His kingdom based upon where we are at that particular time.  

I will end with this wisdom from the author (Priscilla Shirer)

"When God speaks, His chief aim is to reveal Himself.  He desires to make Himself known and lead you into a more intimate relationship with Him.  If you overlook this main objective in search of more self-focused ambitions (even honorable ones), you will not be able to clearly discern His leading.  This distorting filter of pride and self-importance will skew what you're hearing, mistaking the voice of your own ego for the voice of God.  The clarity you desire comes from matching your chief aim in hearing Him with HIS chief aim in speaking to you.  That's how you weed out the voice of strangers, as well as your own."

"I glorified you on earth,

having accomplished the work that you gave me to do."

John 17:4

SEEKING

 While on one of my trips of a lifetime to NYC, we walked by the St. Patrick's Cathedral.  Imposing, majestic, beautiful--this House of God tucked in the midst of millions of people and skyscrapers was breath taking.  They were renovating the building and we were not able to go inside, but we have all seen pictures and know the grandeur of the interior.  This was built as a sanctuary among the masses for those seeking God's presence.  A place in the rush and hurry of the city  to stop and know He is present.  We have all been in majestic churches and know the hush of holiness we experience when entering.  Whether that is the presence of God certainly depends upon the individual entering.  He reveals Himself to those who are seeking Him.  

Another once in a lifetime trip to Switzerland, we visited the church where the wedding was filmed for "The Sound of Music".  The Nonnberg Abbey is in a small town OF 150,000 in Austria.  A hushed reverence in the midst of unveiled beauty was present as we walked through those great doors.  The tall ceilings allow for any sounds to echo.  We were still and quiet as we entered.  Not a word---utter silence in the House of God.  His presence was all around us as we stood there in awe.

"And you will seek Me and find Me

when you search for Me

with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:13

In most cases, today's churches do not strike that same sense of awe and wonder when I enter (I am strictly speaking from a personal perspective).  I totally understand the reasons behind this, but I am allowed to also miss the reverence of knowing I was entering the House of God from my past. 

Other experiences have catapulted me into God's presence---a mountain top, the reflection of the forest in the water, the sunrise or sunset, holding a new born baby, music, birds singing, and on and on.  God seems to be in so many moments of the day.  I love those sweet hushed moments of experiencing His nearness--knowing His presence.  What holy moments those are!  

Seek Him---know His presence---God with us.  So much beauty and reassurance in knowing this is true.  

"One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that I will seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in His temple."

Psalm 27:4