Recently, I discovered a blog which has quickly become one I love to read often. Of course, what lured me to this blog was the contest with chocolate as the prize. Who can resist that? And guess what! I won! The Montana chocolate Angie sent is delicious. I’m using it as a reward for reaching various writing goals. Well, what’s left is being used for that lol.
Angie B. has a post called Making It Clear about our universal message on the F.A.I.T.H. blog. She aimed this post at writers, but honestly, these questions are something we can all ask ourselves.
She asks:
Wouldn’t it be interesting if we lived so our life’s theme would be understood without having to say anything? What does that look like for you or me? Our priorities blare it publicly, despite what we say, by how we spend our time, money, and energy. Would someone watching your actions, words, and lifestyle “get” who you are and what you believe in? Does anything need to change to better reflect the inner you? Are you really working toward your dreams and goals or are you just talking about them? What would people say you stood for after you’re gone? Are you willing to hone yourself to make it clear? Do you trust God to trim away the dead twigs?
I’m going to skip around a bit as I answer these questions. Am I really working toward my dreams and goals or just talking? I’m working toward them and I see progress, but the steps backwards are so so frustrating. I’ve said it before, but I get in my own way so many times.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about who I am. Honestly, I don’t like what I see. I’ve become desensitized in some ways. I’ve been wrapped up in myself and neglecting those who really matter. What’s even worse is that I’m not even accomplishing those things I desire which are good things. It’s ugly.
Would someone watching your actions, words, and lifestyle “get” who you are and what you believe in? HA. No. They’d think I was defeated or living for myself. I’ve looked like a whipped puppy lately – tail tucked under. I’ve not been living like the daughter of the King. I’ve been struggling with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) – something I face every winter. I really let it get the best of me this year and I’m about fed up with myself lol. Today, the sun is shining and I’m soaking it up. Letting it lift my spirits. But on those cloudy days where the depression edges in, I need to soak in the Son. God is bigger than this and i seem to have forgotten that lately.
Hey, Audra, God is good ALL the time. Even on the bleakest winter days.
Are you willing to hone yourself to make it clear? Do you trust God to trim away the dead twigs? Yes and YES! I am willing to hone myself to make my life a statement of the awesome power of God. I trust God to trim these dead twigs I’ve been holding on to for far too long.
When that beautiful, fruit and flower bearing tree rises tall after the dead twigs are pruned and God has watered and nourished it with Sonshine, everyone will see God’s glory. All I’ve managed is a withered, half dead, sickly fruit-bearing, shriveled flower-looking thing unworthy of even being given the name tree.
Pathetic.
But God takes that little bit of life – that green stem and he cuts deep. He cuts off death. He reaches that lifeline hiding down in the roots and He nourishes it. He gives it living water, the bread of life and Son. Slowly through tender care, the tree grows stronger. New branches stretch forth. Fresh, sweet fruit weight the branches. Fragrant flowers burst forth in glorious display. God’s glory shines through.
Will people see Jesus who is my life theme? How can they not? Anyone who knows the old me will be amazed by what God has done. They will have watched me struggle to change myself and then they will see the transformation only Christ could bring. Those who meet the new me will see God’s love flowing out of me.
Lord, make me new. Cut deep and cut swift. You are my God and I am your daughter.
I want to encourage you all to head over the the F.A.I.T.H. blog and read the wonderful posts over there. These gals are terrific.