Distractions of Life
// December 12th, 2007 // Christian Living
I feel like it has been forever since I have written. Blame it on the time of year, busy schedule, etc. I have to say before I forget that my good friend, Sarah, honored me with the “You Lift Me Up Award” this week. I thought it was so sweet. Me…an inspiration? Thanks, Sarah! I am going to pass it on to Sabrina at “In the Arms of Jesus”. She has recently started a blog. Her outlook on life and her perseverance in spite of her illness is an inspiration to me as well as many other people.
I had something happen this week that got me thinking about how I can be very disconnected from myself at times. There are times that I am exploring how I feel and why and I am ok seeing myself…the good the bad and the ugly. Then there are other times where I go through life making decisions based on the way I feel without even being aware of what it is I am feeling. It sounds funny (and maybe I am the only one doing it), but I think that there are times when it is easier not to have to think about and then deal with why you feel the way you do.
I find myself too many times pushing aside the things that God is trying to get at because I don’t have time or don’t want to take the time to face the issue. There was a period of time that I was almost afraid of what pursuing God would mean for me. It is a totally selfish way to look at it, but I was afraid that if I followed God the way that I should, then it would mean sacrifice. The thing is…it does. It means that I have to let go of my own agenda (which is very hard for me), it means that I won’t always know what is around the next bend. It means that there are times when I may not have all the comforts that we have come to expect.
I have to lay aside the sin that so easily entangles me (Hebrews 12:1-3) and run the race I am called to run. It is so easy to get distracted by things in life (even good things) that slowly take my attention away from what God has for me. I think that the devil uses this tactic more than we realize. It is easy for me to come up against something that is blatantly wrong and resist it, but when I am letting things go a little here and a little there it is easy for me to lose site and become distracted. I am praying that God will begin to catch my attention (and that I will listen) when I am taking the first step out of His will.
The nice thing is that we don’t have to go it alone. If we are surrounding ourselves with people who love us and want God’s best for us, then a lot of times they will speak into your life when you aren’t really sure. Ben is a great example of doing this for me. I am a doer. I love being busy and if I see something that needs to get done then I will take it upon myself. The problem with this is that I tend to over-extend myself. Ben has gotten to where he will reign me in. There are times I don’t like it, but I have learned to listen. God speaks to him for me and there are times that it has saved me a lot of burn out.
So, for me I am trying to be more attentive to the voice of God. I am learning to pay attention when He is poking at something and listen when He is telling me where to go or what to do. And I praise God that he has put people in my life that love me and speak into my life. I hope that I can be that for others as well.
Heather, you’re awesome.
This is so “Inspiring,” Heather. Really. I have to bounce everything off of Judd, because I do not have a filter when it comes to taking on new things. I fill my life with “good” things and sometimes miss out on the “God” things.
Wow. I needed to read this right now! I’m a “doer” also. If I see it needs doing, I do – no matter how many “do’s” are already in the fire. I believe God is speaking to me about the “doing” because a good part of the time, I feel the “doing” is what defines me. And I think God is getting ready to lead me on a new journey at this point in my life. And, I’m scared because “doing” is all I know. “Being” is something new, unknown, and feels awkward. Letting God define me is what my heart truly wants but it’s like jumping off the cliff and not knowing if you’re going to make it or not. So, let the excitement and the unknown of life begin as long as God is on this journey with me!
awww….Your so sweet, Thanks for my “You lift me up award”!!
You said a lot of things in here that I have been dealing with as well. It’s funny how God always wants to talk when you aren’t on your knees. Most of the time he does his talking when you are right in the middle of something, but I guess he does that so we can put off whatever we are doing and say okay Lord you are number one in my life. I really look up to you and Ben! If anything, I never thought that you have had a hard time putting things aside. I mean come on, yall are doing a brave thing, yall stopped everything to pastor a little church in Kernersville. God is definentally going bless you for obeying him! You really speak into my life!!
You guys are sweet! It sounds like there are a lot of doers out there :). Thanks for all the encouraging words. As Priscilla said “Let the excitement and the unknown of life begin as long as God is on the journey with me!” Too true. I sure do hope that we can all have adventure following God! Thanks guys, you are awesome (in the words of Jessica).