letsloveothers

You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage— pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically to say “No!” to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger “Yes!” burning inside.
Stephen Covey

• Have you ever felt lost? Questioning the direction your life is heading?
• Wondered why what you imagined would make you happy doesn’t once it is yours?
• Asked, “Is this all there is to life?

Each of these questions I  have asked myself more than once through the years. But it’s that last question— the meaning of life that has dominated my waking hours these past few weeks.

Restless sleep. Craving carbs. Apathy. Lethargy. My soul was sending out a SOS.

So what did I do? I ran to Jesus. Spending more time in solitude. Giving Jesus permission to invade and interrupt my day. Listening for Him to speak. And speak He did as I allowed Him to guide me back onto the path of righteousness.

While in solitude I

• listened to lots of worship music. Allowing it to wash over me, cleansing and healing my heart as I worshipped.
• read John Eldridge’s book Beautiful Outlaw. Which beautifully explores the Jesus I know and love. Not the aloof, devoid of emotions Jesus frequently depicted in religious circles but the skin and bones Jesus. Whose rich emotional life was as much a part of Him as His divinity.
• increased the amount of time both praying and meditating on some of my favorite scriptures.
• mentally looked through my remembrance album of God’s love and faithfulness in my past.

The answer?

I had allowed the treasures and cares of this world to become my “Yes!” Silencing the voice of Jesus. Dousing the fire of passion for the building of His Kingdom.

Thankfully, echoing in my thoughts when I awoke this morning was “No more!” I would faithfully

• stare into the eyes of Jesus, not my own.
• build His Kingdom, not mine.
• appreciate each interaction with another human being as an honor, not a means to an end.

Once again a renewed sense of purpose is pulsating through my soul. All because I made a choice to say, “Yes!” to the faithfulness and truth of God’s Word.

So we have no reason to despair. Despite the fact that our outer humanity is falling apart and decaying, our inner humanity is breathing in new life every day. 

You see. The short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an eternal glory that does not compare to anything we know here. So we do not set our sights on the things we can see with our eyes. All of that is fleeting. It will eventually fade away. Instead we focus on the things we cannot see. Which live on and on.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Voice

Thanks for listening to my voice! Feel free to like and share it with your friends.

Have a great day! Rita

Be a VOICE in the deafening sound of sameness!