So often we try to do things in our own strength or because we believe it is "the right" thing to do as part of our responsibility in faith, when in fact - sometimes we are to do nothing. In spending time in the word, in meditation with God, fellowship with our brothers and sisters, and walking in those biblical truths of Faith, Hope and Love; God can do so much with the clay. He gave us keen minds, lips and mouths to share and witness to the Love of God; ears with which to listen, not just to our spiritual leaders, and counselors but also so that when we are in the quiet of His presence, we can hear Him. His Will, His Purpose, His Perfect Love and His Grace.
I started this message 4 days ago, and stopped as my heart was just not where it needed to be to finish this, much less share it. As I review what I wrote above, I see how perfectly it ties into all the other messages that have come before and since. Each one poignant and thought provoking to at least one person, me. This journey I am choosing to share with friends, family and people who I don't even know who may stumble across it, is about CHOOSING God. Over the past several months I have watched as my enthusiasm for this life change has grown daily. How excited I am to watch as God reveals all that is in store for Breiter Futures but also for the direction He has me going. I have wanted to do full time ministry since my first Mission trip in 2004. It was life changing, heart changing and I have never been happier than when I am serving others and the kingdom.
But am I really listening or trying to fill some void or gap in my life that even I may not be aware of. And so I stop and I try to listen. Sometimes, it is in my car. Sometimes it is when I am in the shower praying in the quiet flow of the hot water clearing my mind - silencing my heart long enough to hear. Sometimes, I can't believe what I am hearing when I listen. No way he wants me to do this or that. But if we spend enough time in quiet with our King; if we spend enough time in meditation of the Word; if we spend enough time being SILENT during times of challenge and strife, and LISTEN, He speaks to us. Sometimes it is through another person or circumstance, sometimes it is simply the still quiet voice that whispers in the quiet times; and other times it is a scream or loud thump upside the back of the head. But HE does speak to us.
But listening is an art form truly. It takes great patience, self-sacrifice, courage, strength and a willing and eager heart - to listen to anyone, much less GOD we need to step outside ourselves, give of ourselves, and be secure in who we are - not just with others, but especially with GOD.
There are 2 books out there, one is called "Search for Significance" written by Robert McGee. It is a Christian book but I believe that most anyone of faith would benefit from this wonderful book. The other book that I want to mention is a fiction Christian book called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. These books changed my life, my heart, how I saw myself, how I grew to understand how God sees me, where Freedom really comes from, and how to let go of shame and fear...but most of all because of all these lessons...I learned to LISTEN and TRUST in that still quiet voice, rather than question it.
I am a princess! I am the Daughter of the King! My significance comes from one place and one place only, my relationship with Jesus. I am not defined by money, how much or little I have; I am not defined by the car I drive or the house I own; I am not defined by my position of employment; I am not defined by power, success, or influence I have. And the reason I know this, the reason that it guides me daily is because in LISTENING to God, He painstakingly has been faithful at every step of my journey closer to Him and closer to what His purpose is for my life. And I notice daily that when I stop listening or DON'T listen and lean on my own understanding, desire, will or whatever suits me at that moment, often I lose the blessing(s) He has/had in store had I listened. Listening to what God wants us to do, following His direction can, at times, be painful because in so doing we sometimes have to watch someone we love and care about walk through the refiner's fire not trusting His promise that the flames will not scorch His faithful servants.
As I reflect back to when I began writing this entry, I was disheartened with myself because I had not listened to what God wanted me to do nor did I trust what He told me and therefore was working outside His plan and will. I believe with all of my heart that these months leading up to my relocation back to where I began, God has been talking to me, giving me insights and clarity, hope and vision. As I write these blogs I am amazed out how much I am learning and HEARING, as I re-read them or receive a comment/observation/critique of each one.
And I am grateful. Grateful that I am willing! Grateful I am pliable and moldable and changeable! Grateful that I am actively LISTENING.
Blessings,
marebear
I started this message 4 days ago, and stopped as my heart was just not where it needed to be to finish this, much less share it. As I review what I wrote above, I see how perfectly it ties into all the other messages that have come before and since. Each one poignant and thought provoking to at least one person, me. This journey I am choosing to share with friends, family and people who I don't even know who may stumble across it, is about CHOOSING God. Over the past several months I have watched as my enthusiasm for this life change has grown daily. How excited I am to watch as God reveals all that is in store for Breiter Futures but also for the direction He has me going. I have wanted to do full time ministry since my first Mission trip in 2004. It was life changing, heart changing and I have never been happier than when I am serving others and the kingdom.
But am I really listening or trying to fill some void or gap in my life that even I may not be aware of. And so I stop and I try to listen. Sometimes, it is in my car. Sometimes it is when I am in the shower praying in the quiet flow of the hot water clearing my mind - silencing my heart long enough to hear. Sometimes, I can't believe what I am hearing when I listen. No way he wants me to do this or that. But if we spend enough time in quiet with our King; if we spend enough time in meditation of the Word; if we spend enough time being SILENT during times of challenge and strife, and LISTEN, He speaks to us. Sometimes it is through another person or circumstance, sometimes it is simply the still quiet voice that whispers in the quiet times; and other times it is a scream or loud thump upside the back of the head. But HE does speak to us.
But listening is an art form truly. It takes great patience, self-sacrifice, courage, strength and a willing and eager heart - to listen to anyone, much less GOD we need to step outside ourselves, give of ourselves, and be secure in who we are - not just with others, but especially with GOD.
There are 2 books out there, one is called "Search for Significance" written by Robert McGee. It is a Christian book but I believe that most anyone of faith would benefit from this wonderful book. The other book that I want to mention is a fiction Christian book called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. These books changed my life, my heart, how I saw myself, how I grew to understand how God sees me, where Freedom really comes from, and how to let go of shame and fear...but most of all because of all these lessons...I learned to LISTEN and TRUST in that still quiet voice, rather than question it.
I am a princess! I am the Daughter of the King! My significance comes from one place and one place only, my relationship with Jesus. I am not defined by money, how much or little I have; I am not defined by the car I drive or the house I own; I am not defined by my position of employment; I am not defined by power, success, or influence I have. And the reason I know this, the reason that it guides me daily is because in LISTENING to God, He painstakingly has been faithful at every step of my journey closer to Him and closer to what His purpose is for my life. And I notice daily that when I stop listening or DON'T listen and lean on my own understanding, desire, will or whatever suits me at that moment, often I lose the blessing(s) He has/had in store had I listened. Listening to what God wants us to do, following His direction can, at times, be painful because in so doing we sometimes have to watch someone we love and care about walk through the refiner's fire not trusting His promise that the flames will not scorch His faithful servants.
As I reflect back to when I began writing this entry, I was disheartened with myself because I had not listened to what God wanted me to do nor did I trust what He told me and therefore was working outside His plan and will. I believe with all of my heart that these months leading up to my relocation back to where I began, God has been talking to me, giving me insights and clarity, hope and vision. As I write these blogs I am amazed out how much I am learning and HEARING, as I re-read them or receive a comment/observation/critique of each one.
And I am grateful. Grateful that I am willing! Grateful I am pliable and moldable and changeable! Grateful that I am actively LISTENING.
Blessings,
marebear
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