Being Undone - luxury

If you're like much of the mid-west, you're currently under a freeze.  Schools cancelled or delayed.  I am tucked in my warm house, a fire in the fireplace, warm breakfast in my tummy and a hot cup of tea in my hand.

Then I peruse the morning news with at statement like this on a local shelter:

"There is also an elevator that will allow those who use wheelchairs to have access to the sleeping quarters upstairs. In the past, those men would have to sleep in their wheelchairs. Craig Liparoto is one of them.
“It’s great! A luxury,” he said. “I’m grateful.”

This man thinks it is a luxury to have a bed.  M-W.com defines luxury as:

: a condition or situation of great comfort, ease, and wealth
: something that is expensive and not necessary

: something that is helpful or welcome and that is not usually or always available

 

A warm place to sleep is "not necessary, not always available."  I don't know how this man got to where he is, it doesn't matter to me.  For God has called me to spend myself on behalf of the oppressed.  As tears fall for a man I don't know, for the ones I was blessed to know, my heart breaks for what breaks God's heart.  I go confidently unto the next step.  

Vision Drift

I developed a series of post that will focus on life principles I want to remember.  Things that God has taught me, yet I often get distracted by the world that I forget.  Then I get reminded again, refocus, reset and do well until the cycle happens again.

God delivers the name for what happens - Vision Drift.  I love my pastor and love how God prepares my heart to hear the message.  Vision Drift happens when the world, my wants, sin takes my focus off God his plans.  It's when I start choosing the priorities then seek God to fulfill them.  He's not a drive thru.  I can't just pull up in prayer, give my order and expect delivery in just a few short minutes.

Yes, God wants to give me blessings.  He wants to be my blessing.  He is a gentleman and waits for me to seek.

So Life Principles are the truths I want to cling to.  Truths that help me keep God's perspective.  Truths that counter all the lies that are distracting me from my purpose.

Random Comment 6-1-2010

Another random comment that the Holy Spirit breezed in and wouldn't let go.  Recently, when sharing how I gave up sweets to a family member (who isn't saved*), her reply was, "Life's to short to do that."


Oh, that rattled my brain for several days.  Life's to short?  Yes, if you do not believe in eternity, life IS to short.  That's what that comments indicates.  That's what the world wants me to believe.  Life is to short to be healthy - enjoy all food - even if you don't feel well eating them.  Life to short - indulge, indulge, indulge.


I lived a good part of my twenties that way.  I indulged and it left me miserable.  Life is not to short.  I live in eternity.  I have a bit of time that I will spend in this fleshly body.  I don't want to separate eternity into earth and heaven.  I live as if it is one.  I live following God, submitting to His will for my life.  Becoming fully who I am in Him, which is becoming Him, in me.  My eternity is now.  I can't live as if what I do today does not matter because I'm in this fleshly body.  It does matter.  My life is not short, my life is eternal.  My life worth living fully.  


*And I do what I can to influence my family to eternal light.  I find as an example of Jesus and his family as well as Paul and sharing the gospel in Jerusalem for peace in my relationship with my family.  It is difficult for them to see me as a light, for they know my past and they are hardened and entrenched into their life.  

Random Comments

Today a cashier made a random comment about the bags they switch over to using.  Saying the new ones weren't any better than the old ones.  As I took my purchases, I noticed that she over filled the bags, no wonder they did not hold what she thought they should.  Over filled is over filled.

This line of thought wouldn't leave me.  Holy Spirit lead application of course jumped in.  What do I over stuff, then complain how it just doesn't hold up?  My schedule?  My attitude? 


As I shared, I will start a training program later this year.  In following God's call to do that, I have slowly cut back or did not recommit my time for some ministries.  God has shown me what He wants me to do.  


With this, I also feel a loss over not doing the same thing and adding the training to what I do.  My head knows that I won't be effective in any of it going that way.  That way is my way, not God's.  


Looking back on the past year, God allowed me to fill my schedule to bursting.  And yes, I complained.  


So, I will stand firm in saying No to some things so I can say Yes to the right things.