The "Situation"
Dear Self,
I hear that there's this "situation" that means a lot to you and that you would love to see come to pass. And I understand that it's not a bad thing at all -- in fact, it's a very GOOD thing. It would fulfill your soul because it's something that would take all of those lovely talents and skills and abilities and heartfelt desires that God poured into you and let you use them for His glory and honor. And gosh -- it would just feel so right and good and sometimes even just FUN!
But I also see that from where you stand right now, that "situation" looks pretty much impossible. The realities of the life you're living really just don't allow for this big plan in your heart to do much more than whisper your name and haunt your almost-every-waking thought. The disappointment and longing make your tummy and your heart hurt. Circumstances and people with too much practicality and not enough daydreaming in their souls rain on your parade. So you stand in the big fat middle of your life and get drenched by negativity and hopelessness.
So, self, here's a plan. And I really think you need to give it a try.
First of all, take that great big "situation," and get alone with God. And spill it. Spill the details. Spill the reasons why you love the idea, the ways it makes your heart happy to think of how things could be, the lives that could be touched and blessed if things work out. Tell God about the hurt and opposition you may be facing and how sad you feel and how heartbroken you are that things just aren't looking that hopeful.
And then let Him spill a few things on you! Let Him remind you that He's your good Father. He knows how to "Father" better than anyone! "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9)
Let Him remind you that He is the God Who is able. "Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)
And let Him remind you that He knows how deeply and passionately you long for this change to occur. After all, He is the Potter, and you are the clay. He made you -- He knows you -- and oh, how He loves you! "Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the Potter; we are all the work of Your hands." (Isaiah 64:8)
Now the hard part -- walk away. Let the Lord do His thing. And His thing may end up looking nothing like what you think you want or what you're expecting. And that's so okay, I can't even tell you how okay that is! Because His thing may be to change your desire. His thing may be to keep you in your present circumstance because He has a job for you to do that has nothing to do with you and everything to do with touching the life of someone else. (Remember that little talk we had before? It's not about you, princess.) His thing may be to have you walk a hard path that refines you and polishes you and makes your soul shine like the noonday sun.
And possibly, His thing may be to grant you the desire of your heart. But here's a warning about that -- God is pretty big on working behind the scenes -- on His own timetable -- with not even a breeze in the trees to give you a hint of His activity. But just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening. There's a whole other realm out there, and we only get to see it if God reveals it. Elisha's servant panicked when the army of the enemy surrounded the city. But Elisha had spiritual eyes and encouraging words. "'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:16-17)
Now that big dream is securely placed in the hands of the God Who loves you, and that's the very best place for it. What now?
Fall in love with today.
Count your blessings. Look for the good. BE the good. Stop staring at your bellybutton, and search for ways to make someone else's day better. Appreciate things you've always taken for granted. Notice the beautiful world where God has placed you. Be compassionate -- especially to people who don't seem to deserve it. And in the mundane things of life, follow the lead of the German poet Goethe -- "Learn to love what must be done." There's great beauty and satisfaction in doing all things with excellence and purpose, and it makes the Father's heart smile. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." (Colossians 3:23)
Never let your eyes wander from the beauty of now. Being anxious about the future will eat you alive and rob you of the gift that is the present. Regret is a heavy load to drag to the gates of Heaven. Dream. Pray. And LIVE! And let the Lord work out His will about that "situation."
One more time, princess -- He made you -- He knows you -- and oh, how He loves you! It's gonna be okay.
I hear that there's this "situation" that means a lot to you and that you would love to see come to pass. And I understand that it's not a bad thing at all -- in fact, it's a very GOOD thing. It would fulfill your soul because it's something that would take all of those lovely talents and skills and abilities and heartfelt desires that God poured into you and let you use them for His glory and honor. And gosh -- it would just feel so right and good and sometimes even just FUN!
But I also see that from where you stand right now, that "situation" looks pretty much impossible. The realities of the life you're living really just don't allow for this big plan in your heart to do much more than whisper your name and haunt your almost-every-waking thought. The disappointment and longing make your tummy and your heart hurt. Circumstances and people with too much practicality and not enough daydreaming in their souls rain on your parade. So you stand in the big fat middle of your life and get drenched by negativity and hopelessness.
So, self, here's a plan. And I really think you need to give it a try.
First of all, take that great big "situation," and get alone with God. And spill it. Spill the details. Spill the reasons why you love the idea, the ways it makes your heart happy to think of how things could be, the lives that could be touched and blessed if things work out. Tell God about the hurt and opposition you may be facing and how sad you feel and how heartbroken you are that things just aren't looking that hopeful.
And then let Him spill a few things on you! Let Him remind you that He's your good Father. He knows how to "Father" better than anyone! "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9)
Let Him remind you that He is the God Who is able. "Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21)
And let Him remind you that He knows how deeply and passionately you long for this change to occur. After all, He is the Potter, and you are the clay. He made you -- He knows you -- and oh, how He loves you! "Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, You are the Potter; we are all the work of Your hands." (Isaiah 64:8)
Now the hard part -- walk away. Let the Lord do His thing. And His thing may end up looking nothing like what you think you want or what you're expecting. And that's so okay, I can't even tell you how okay that is! Because His thing may be to change your desire. His thing may be to keep you in your present circumstance because He has a job for you to do that has nothing to do with you and everything to do with touching the life of someone else. (Remember that little talk we had before? It's not about you, princess.) His thing may be to have you walk a hard path that refines you and polishes you and makes your soul shine like the noonday sun.
And possibly, His thing may be to grant you the desire of your heart. But here's a warning about that -- God is pretty big on working behind the scenes -- on His own timetable -- with not even a breeze in the trees to give you a hint of His activity. But just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening. There's a whole other realm out there, and we only get to see it if God reveals it. Elisha's servant panicked when the army of the enemy surrounded the city. But Elisha had spiritual eyes and encouraging words. "'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:16-17)
Now that big dream is securely placed in the hands of the God Who loves you, and that's the very best place for it. What now?
Fall in love with today.
Count your blessings. Look for the good. BE the good. Stop staring at your bellybutton, and search for ways to make someone else's day better. Appreciate things you've always taken for granted. Notice the beautiful world where God has placed you. Be compassionate -- especially to people who don't seem to deserve it. And in the mundane things of life, follow the lead of the German poet Goethe -- "Learn to love what must be done." There's great beauty and satisfaction in doing all things with excellence and purpose, and it makes the Father's heart smile. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men..." (Colossians 3:23)
Never let your eyes wander from the beauty of now. Being anxious about the future will eat you alive and rob you of the gift that is the present. Regret is a heavy load to drag to the gates of Heaven. Dream. Pray. And LIVE! And let the Lord work out His will about that "situation."
One more time, princess -- He made you -- He knows you -- and oh, how He loves you! It's gonna be okay.