A Future. A Hope.

In order for us to grow and mature in our faith, we have to be willing to change. Sometimes that change involves us giving up or letting go of something. It could be a newly acquired habit or ritual or something we have held onto (or something that's leached onto us) for quite sometime. No matter how long it's been in our life, when God says to let it go or destroy it - We have to do just that!

Too often we think that this change - life without our habit or ritual - is going to be hard or not as good as it once was. We justify whatever it is we're holding to so dearly, and sadly other Christians come alongside and justify it for us too. The thing to remember: If God's told us to get rid of it and we hold onto it, it is sin. Even if everyone of our friends does it, if God tells us to leave it alone and we don't, it's a sin.

God has really been working this in and all around me lately. I think of one of my favorite passages, Jeremiah 29:11-14...  God has great things for us. A future. A hope. He will answer when we call. We search for Him, he will be found. And - He brings us back from the things that hold us captive.

He wants to bring us back from the sin that holds us captive, from things in our life that distract us from Him. But, we have to be willing to let things go. He wants to bring us closer to Him so that we can live a better, more abundant life. But, we must be willing to lay things down or even destroy them, if that is what He asks.

To grow, mature, and become more like Christ, we must be willing to let things go. God has better, actually the best plans for our life - A future and a hope - when we are willing to let go of what holds us captive. 

Just Busy or Too Busy?

   Have you ever sat down and really thought about everything you do? Your responsibilities. Demands from work. Family needs. Extra activities.  And - All God requires of you. Maybe it's easiest not to think of all these things, but sometimes a little self-check is what we need in order to diagnose our problem: Too busy.

   I will admit: I am busy. Between teaching, family and church, my schedule is often packed! But am I too busy? What even constitutes as "too busy?" For me, there is a balance between busy and too busy; that balance can sometimes be tricky. I have a full-time job, that is never finished. The mass of papers I grade is like the laundry at home; it never goes away! I also have a family. Between my husband's crazy work schedule and my kid's school and church activities, we are constantly on the move. I also have God, but the question is, Does He have me? 

   It is beyond easy to get sucked in by busyness. You're just doing what you have to do, right? This is where I have to check myself, or rather, let God do the inventory for me. A few of the questions I prayerfully ask of myself:

- Am I so frustrated, that I no longer find joy in what is keeping me so busy? 

- Am I so busy that I often forget or neglect my time with God? 

- Am I ignoring the things I am passionate about?

- Am I so busy doing things that I am too exhausted to do what God has called me to do?

- Am I so busy that I cannot make time to develop and nourish relationships with family and friends?

After the God to self evaluation, I have to be honest with myself (It also never hurts to have friends who will be honest with me if I choose not be!). Am I too busy?  If "too busy" is the answer, it's time to eliminate some things and rearrange priorities. 

   What I find about myself: I am usually not "too busy" but I am definitely busy. If God is in control of my busyness - I'm good. Me in control of my busyness is destined for disaster and that "too busy" feeling. This is where balance has to be found. I don't want to ever feel so good about my seemingly hectic schedule that I take control of it! I don't ever want my schedule to have me. I want God to have me.

** I have also found busy people can make other people uncomfortable. They often want to label you as "too busy." When this happens, I just do a God to self check. I believe God has a supernatural way of expanding time and energy when we're about His business and not just our busyness!