Make Up Your Mind...

Today has been quite nice. The temperature in the room has been cool and empty, just the way I like it. These types of days are becoming more and more rare as time goes by, and after spending several years kind of wasting time and not being productive with quiet moments, I am eager to catch every moment that I can to be still and wait on God. So being alone today in the office, I was able to get on the floor and pray, and basically spend time with Jesus. Lots of stuff going on lately and time at His feet is just what I needed.

Sometimes a girl just needs her best friend.

I was reading in Luke 21 about the end times. Jesus was asked when the end would come and what clues we should all get that its about to take place. He went on to explain that lalala, no one will know the day or time and to ignore doomsday deceivers and leaders who claim to be the Messiah or know of a specific day. I've always heard that part my entire life.

But what I failed to really pay attention to for the past, I don't know, say 12 years?? Is the bulk of that scripture. It goes something like this:

"Nation will fight nation and ruler fighter ruler, over and over. Huge earthquakes will occur in various places. There will be famines. You'll think at the time that the very sky is falling....

But before any of this happens, they'll arrest you, hunt you down, and drag you to court and jail. It will go from bad to worse, dog-eat-dog, everyone at your throat because you carry my name. You'll end up on the witness stand, called to testify.

Make up your mind right now not to worry about it.

I'll give you the words and wisdom that will reduce all your accusers to stammers and stutters.You'll even be turned in by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.

Some of you will be killed.

There's no telling who will hate you because of me. Even so, every detail of your body and soul-even the hairs of you head!-is in my care; nothing of you will be lost. Staying with it-thats what is required. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry; You'll be saved."

Luke 21:10-19 (msg)

....wow.......

You see, I don't want to talk about the end times. But what I do want to talk about is how even in the midst of worldly chaos, Jesus tells us to MAKE UP OUR MINDS to not worry about a thing. Jesus flat out said all of the ugly, horrible things we can expect---even after living out our normal lives that are imperfect and full of different troubles--but even then he tells us not to worry and to CHOOSE to not worry.

I have a hard time with this. Because I like to think. I analyze. I rehash. I relive...

...And after wrestling within myself for a good, long time (sometimes hours rehashing and reliving situations, words, actions) ...I sit down to relax and then BOOM!

There I am again thinking. And analyzing. And torturing myself...

God is teaching me to lay down those crazy thoughts. They glorify themselves way too much for way too long. He is teaching me to be at peace in my spirit and stop worrying about all of the little stuff that pulls all of my attention---and my heart strings---way too much.

Whether it be negative thoughts, selfishness, pride, a project, a relationship, an unpleasant situation.....heck! I'll even say it, even positive situations can cause me to think way too much! Ugh. All of these things need to be submitted! I have to consciously CHOOSE and make up my mind not to worry. And not just worry, but not FIXATE on things that are not of Him.

It is when I do this, and simply this, am I capable of hearing His voice louder than my own.

I just need to be a little lamb. A little lamb that is comfortable not knowing my left foot from my right. A little lamb who is comfortable not having to lead so much, but is altogether content in following the direction of a shepherd. To be a little lamb who is okay with my weaknesses and doesn't have to be in control.

To be vulnerable and to be okay with it...

THAT is what I want.

So today, let us both agree (myself and YOU, the reader) to lay down the burdens and quiet ourselves into hearing His voice better.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5