Isn't that so true?
How many times do we wonder where is God? Why isn't he doing anything about this? What did I do wrong to make me end up here? We are always questioning, never simply listening. Never simply trusting that He knows what He's doing.
Last week I told ya'll about how much I worry. Like to the point of getting stomach aches because I worry so much. Well let me tell ya, God has completely wrapped me in His grace this week.
Now, the devil is a nasty being who finds great pleasure in causing me to get physically weak when I'm worried and stressed. He was doing a pretty great job at tearing me down and putting doubt and discouragement in my head and unfortunately my heart too.
How great is our God though that He showed me, numerous times, that if I simply listen and seek Him in EVERYTHING that I do, He's right there.
As you might know, I sell
Thirty-One. I have been struggling with discouragement through my parties though, because I just didn't feel as though they were hitting the goal I had set. This is my only income and failure is not an option. I was feeling as though I would have to start being pushy in order to get what I want & I didn't like that. I'm not pushy. I'm against pushy. So why then was I starting to become the annoying chick who pushed? See there's that devil creeping in my business again.
Sunday we had a guest speaker at church. It was
Wes Aarum. An amazing pastor who has such a heart for God. It's intoxicating really. He preached on God's love for us. And how our parents don't punish us because it's fun, they do it because they care & love us. It's the same for God. He finds no joy in punishment, but finds reward in love.
He used Luke 9:23 as his basis for the sermon:
"If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me"
Wow. The power in what Jesus spoke right there really spoke to my heart.
I am guilty. That's what I felt. Extreme guilt that I sometimes refuse to set aside my selfish spirit. That I sometimes refuse to take up the cross. That I sometimes refuse to follow Him.
Wes said there are 4 things we must absolutely take from this...
1. Sin can never deliver what it promises. {Never. It might seem fun, but it won't last forever.}
2. You can never outrun Gods ability to forgive & restore. {He will forgive, every time. He will restore, every time}
3. Gods heart is for you. {All the time.}
4. You must make the decision to turn around. {God won't force you to do it.}
Now, I don't know about you but I felt heartbroken that I don't always remember those 4 things. And more importantly that I don't follow those 4 things. God ALWAYS forgives. If He can do it, why do I make it seem so difficult? Nothing anyone does to me can compare.
The Lord opened my heart on Sunday. My negative attitude towards this new business that I should be whole heartily involved in was getting me nowhere. It was sending me in the wrong direction. I was trying to outrun Gods blessing. The Lord is using me through this to share the bible with women at each and every party I hold & when I feel down and discouraged before I even arrive at a party, I certainly don't share what I should. I want to use this business as an outreach. Not just as an income. I want to be blessed through this ministry of sharing not only beautiful products with women but also sharing about the Proverbs 31 woman. The whole basis of the company. I know that this is the Lords plan right now. I prayed for this months ago when I decided to sign up so now, instead of doubting what His plan is, I need to go back to those moments of feeling complete and utter commitment to doing this.
All because I started listening for God in everything. I stopped doubting what He can do and simply let Him keep me on track.
I pray that this week you will decide to start listening. In everything you do. In everywhere you go.
