I'm Losing Control...

As I enter into this next phase of my life, I'm facing the realization that I'm losing control - and it's a little scary!  Today as we drove out of town, I relinquished my driving privileges and as a method of calming my nerves about it, I brought along a magazine to read.  Lol!  It didn't help as much as I anticipated.   I constantly found myself looking and checking the mirrors or secretly glancing over at the speedometer.  Since I wasn't in the driver's seat, I would at least attempt to control the radio or the temperature in the car.  

What I found was what should have been a nice, relaxing 2 hour ride, turned into an intense unnecessary over alerted, non-enjoyable experience!

WHY?! The answer was simple - I was fighting the fact that I wasn't in control; I wasn't in the driver's seat.    My mind began to wonder and I landed on the thought that if I can't lose control of a 2 hour car ride and be okay with not being the driver, then what else am I going to fight?  Hhmmm....

Losing control is not always a bad thing.  Then I glanced in the back seat and noticed that my mom (who is terrified of riding in cars), was enjoying a nice nap.  I was instantaneously envious.  After a few moments, I chuckled to myself and realized that this car ride could be related to my encounters with God.  He's a much more skilled driver than I am and He knows exactly what's ahead and around the next curve, but because I can't control the speed and change lanes as I would like - I find myself constantly over alerted and uncomfortable.   

It's okay to lose control to the one who has the ultimate control.  So today as I prepare myself to relax on the drive home, I also willingly give control back to God and take a restful nap.  

Dear God...

Dear God, 

Enlighten what's dark in me... 
Strengthen what's weak in me... 
Mend what's broken in me... 
Bind what's bruised in me... 
Heal what's sick in me... 
And lastly... Revive whatever peace and love has died in me... 

 Reply AMEN if this is your prayer!

-Unknown

Be Still...

"There can be clarity in chaos, if you be still long enough."
-SoSerene

Psalms 46:10..."Be still and know that I am God..."  Yet another translation interprets this scripture as "Stop fighting", He says, " and know that I am God."

Each time that I was at a pivotal point in my life, my initial instinct was "flight" when the pressure was turned up.  Each time, some kind of way Psalms 46 found its way before my eyes.  

"But Lord, I'm tired of this phase in my life and I don't understand why you keep telling me to be still."  

"Where am I going and how long will it be before I arrive at this predetermined destination?"  

"God I'm growing weary and I don't know how much fight I have left in me..."  "Stop fighting", He says, " and know that I am God."

If you are anything like me, you are a bit of a control freak and you tend to plan most things.  However, when something doesn't go according to that plan, you divert to plans B, C and D.   But what happens when none of them work and you feel helpless and hopeless because you are no longer in control?  It is usually at that moment where God steps into the driver's seat and begins to navigate. Could it be that if you are still experiencing a great deal of chaos that you are still fighting?  I know that I was!

"There can be clarity in chaos, if you be still long enough."

CEO of My Life...

I am the CEO of my life and the Trinity is my Board of Directors. 

As the CEO of my life, it is my responsibility to protect this investment and to accomplish the objectives set forth by my Board of Directors.  I do this by setting a vision, developing a strategy and creating a culture of love, joy, peace and forgiveness.  I am a decision maker, leader, manager and executor.  I meet with my Board of Directors on a daily basis, as they are always available to provide encouragement, wisdom, guidance and direction.  My Board of Directors have the keen ability to sense when I may be making a risky investment into a person, place or thing and they alert me. 

John 10:27…”My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

I have a Senior Leadership team as well, and they are my closest friends and confidants.  It is their responsibility to assist me in executing the set forth objectives.  We support each other.  I must ensure that my Senior Leadership team is on board with the vision and strategy and culture or we will not achieve the level of success sought after.

I Corinthians 15:33…”Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.”

In order to satisfy the objectives, I must be able to produce an ROI (return on investment).

John 3:16…”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

If there is anything or anyone threatening this investment, which would negate my ability to implement and execute the strategies and objectives, I must terminate that relationship and sometimes that hurts.

I Samuel 15:22…”To obey is better than sacrifice….”

As the CEO of your life, are you making the right decisions and taking the appropriate steps to protect your investment?

Adjustments For Happiness...

What adjustments you are willing to make to be happy?

Don't do drama ... 

Stay out of other people's business .. 

Can't hang with everyone ... 

Give up a job that's asking you to compromise your moral standards... 

You don't have to be popular to be happy!

Make a decision to be happy and stop allowing others to drag you around.   

What is righteousness, peace and joy worth to you?

Live deeper than I want, I think, I feel.

You don't need everyone's approval to function in life.  

It's hard to give it up now, but you'll be happy later.  

God wants us all to have a good life, so what are you willing to give up? 

Our morals and standards don't evolve because God doesn't evolve!

 Make the right choices so that you can live without regrets.  

 - Notes from a sermon by Joyce Meyer

Turning Point...

There comes a time in life where you reach a turning point. You realize that the path you're walking - you've been on it long enough.  You may have become stagnant and complacent; wanting more and deserving more, but stuck in fear and doubt. You know what you're capable of, but you just can't seem to build up enough momentum to get your feet off the ground.

Well today might be the turning point in your life.  Today might be the day when you face yourself and declare that enough is enough.  Today might be the day when you make a drastic change for your better tomorrow.

Only you know when you've reached that place in life and no matter how much you look to others to push you - this is a move that you have to make on your own.  That turning point could be related to your health, your job, a relationship or whatever, but I challenge you to take an active interest in the betterment of your future!  Pray to God for direction and then obey!

James 2:14...What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? 

Deuteronomy 2:3...Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
- Albert Einstein 

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

- Albert Einstein 

Make God Your Priority...

Has your relationship with God become convenient? Has it become too familiar?  Have you become accustomed to what you are giving to Him and in return what He is giving to you?  

Convenient - fitting in well with a person's needs, activities, and plans.
Familiar - commonly or generally known.

Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek (aim or strive for) ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

In a conversation with a co-worker today, I intently listened to her for almost an hour discuss her accomplishments in life and how she is striving to attain success on a greater level by working many laborious hours, in an attempt to gain recognition for promotion.  However, throughout that discourse I was reminded of how we strive in so many other areas of our lives, but neglect to put forth that same time and energy in our relationship with God.  We will run ourselves ragged for a job and for family, but then are too "tired" to read our bibles, pray or even go to church.  I know that I've been found guilty.  

As she wrapped up her conversation, the above referenced scripture came to mind to share with her and in turn it blessed me.  If we would go after God the way we go after everything else that we desire, He said in His word that all the other stuff that we desire would be added unto us.  

Make God your priority!