I mowed the part of our front yard that is fenced in this week. Now to some that may not be a big deal, but this was only my second or third time, since my husband does most of the mowing and yard work.
As I was mowing with our push mower I started to watch the lines.
I watched as the mowed lines, meant that section was finished . At times I would mow a spot and then back up and move the lawnmower just a little bit so I could mow a small close by section without having to wait any longer.
I mowed until I ran out of gas the other day. I didn't know how to fill it up again, so I waited on my husband to do so. I finished this morning, although it's not perfect.
Do you ever feel like the straight and narrow path seems like a bunch of twists and turns , like the Lord backs us up, and makes us deal with another section of that sin He wants removed, or another layer of our healing and freedom. Do we groan and say , "I just did this" or do we cry in pain saying, "Lord this hurts!"
We know His Plan is for ultimate good, but it's hard when a sore spot is tender. It can almost feel like He's ripping off the bandages and doing "multiple surgeries" on us.
What does this have to do with slowing down, you may be asking... You see I had to wait to get what I needed to finish the task of mowing our yard. Does it ever feel like the Lord is guiding your steps , and things are falling into place, confirmation, after confirmation. Then one day, those steps of active obedience turn into a wait. Not one day, not two. A week, a month , six months go by: still when you ask it's an answer of wait...
Do you ever begin to feel anxious, "Maybe I heard God's Voice incorrectly .."
"Lord, all these days are passing by... each day closer to being with you... ummm what do I do?"
Still, "Wait..."
I don't know about anyone else, but the going, then stop and wait, is often the recurring theme of writing and trying to finish projects that have been worked on for years even when I didn't realize it.
When I was 12/ 13 years old I began seeking the Lord, asking Him what people meant when
they felt God's Presence in a church service. At this point I had been a Christ Follower for roughly five years, since I was eight years old. I still didn't understand. Finally, God allowed me to experience His Presence in such a way that I would never forget . I was at a overnight mission week at the church. In the middle of night/ early morning I was sleeping and felt His Presence fill me with Joy. I usually hate talking about how the Lord got me to realize His Presence because He deals with people in different ways. But over the years , in different seasons , He reminded me He was there: dreams, during Bible reading /worship in my closet, or even when I hadn't even gotten out of bed, to do any step of obedience in action.
The other day, was one of those moments where the Love and Presence of God was so thick, I didn't want to move or get out of bed. At the same time, my mind was reeling with "Shouldn't I go read my Bible. Write Scripture. Write anything... etc." I have been thinking about whether I should share this in a post for a few days now. Until today, the answer was, "Wait.."
In that moment , there was nothing I had to do more, than just enjoy the moment. Enjoy the God prepared moment, that cannot be repeated or recreated on our own. It has to be Him.
How will we enjoy even the simplest of moments, if we are always too busy? How will we listen to or hear the still small voice , if we never carve out the time? It may not have to be total silence. Put on worship music. I often go outside on my front porch, like I am at this moment, typing and listening to the birds.
How will we be able to recognize His Voice over the crowds of others, if we do not read His Word and check everything we read and hear against what the Bible says?How will we know it's the Lord, or if something that Satan uses to deceive , appearing like an "angel of light?" Will we learn to have a two -way conversation in prayer with God, if we are doing all the talking, treating Him like a genie, Santa Claus, or Slave.
March 2020, The Lord allowed us to experience a lockdown of our countries , a time to slow down, to reflect on what was important. Churches even looked at their busyness and sorted what needed to remain and what didn't , as far as activities go.
I explain in my other blog post, "Do what is Needed," How God changed my perspective and prompted me to take my sabbath rest on Saturday rather than Saturday. Doing what was only necessary for the day.
What about you? Do you need to slow down on this Saturday morning or this weekend if your Saturday has passed?
I fear we miss many God planned moments when we cram our lives with activities trying to make God fit, rather than allowing God in on the process of our plans. Making our plans around His Kingdom Work.
Will we slow down enough to even ask the Lord?
Enjoy your Day!
Proverbs 16:9 World English Bible
A man’s heart plans his course,
but Yahweh directs his steps.
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