I recently led a Bible Study on
the Proverbs 31 woman. I have done several studies on this lady, I don't feel I
will ever measure up, but didn't think there was much else I could learn about
her that I haven't already learned.
That's where I was completely wrong.
I began praying that God would work in my
heart, that He would mold me into the woman He would have me to be.
I thought I was ok.
I thought my marriage was ok.I thought my relationship with my kids was ok.
It was ok, but it wasn't what God wanted. He
wanted more. More of me.
My tears were unnecessary. My words were
harsh.
I cleaned up the orange juice, sent the kids to
their room and I went to mine. I cried. "God, I'm supposed to lead about study
about being a godly wife and mother, and here I am in my room crying over a
watermelon. What is wrong with me? Why is Satan attacking me like this?"
This is when I heard God speak. Not in an
audible voice, but in my heart. He reminded me that I had been praying for Him
to mold me into a more godly woman. And He is gently showing me areas in my
life that I need to work on (ie how I respond to watermelon all over my floor).
Once He started showing me things that needed
to change in my comfortable life, I complained and blamed Satan. He {Satan}
gets too much credit sometimes.
I was comfortable being an ok mom, being an ok
wife, being an ok friend. But I asked God to mold me into His image, to help me
to be a woman that pleased Him. When He showed me what I needed to work on, I
stiffened up a bit. "But God," I said, "look at everything I do, isn't that good
enough?"
No, it's not.
He wants more of me. He wants my all. And
honestly, I wasn't giving it my all. I settled into a comfortable routine and
stuck with it. I got lazy. My husband deserves more of me. My kids deserve
more of me. My God...He deserves ALL of me.
So, God, here is my life. I'm ready to take it
to the next level. To step out of my comfort zone. To kick it up a notch.
To be like Christ, to be Christlike...this
ought to be our goal as Christians. It's my goal.
Make me, mold me, fill me, use
me.
Help me to never settle for the mundane life.
I always want to press toward the prize, forgetting the things which are behind
me (tears over a watermelon), and reaching forth unto those things which are
before.
"Brethren, I count not myself to
have apprehended:
but this one thing I
do,
forgetting those things which are
behind,
and reaching forth unto those things
which are before.
I press toward the mark for the
prize
of the high calling of God in Christ
Jesus."
Philippians 3:13-14
By the way, after my time alone with the Lord
that day. I called my son into my room and apologized to Him for being upset.
I asked Him to forgive me, and He graciously did. Oh, to have the forgiving
spirit of a little one. His mommy is far from perfect, but she won't settle for
living the mundane life.
I understand I don't often show my heart like
this, but God has been working and I felt I ought to share. Hope it's an
encouragement. Don't always blame Satan, God is far more powerful, and He love you very much.
How about you?
Are you living a comfortable life?
Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone
and give the Lord more?
Give Him your all?
Thank you! Today the Holy Spirit has used your words to spur me on toward giving ALL of myself to my Lord once again.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing. God is good!
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