Seeking God

I am dreaming of spring - can you tell? This is like the winter that won't let go!

Right now, life is full of a lot of 'faith' things.  Maybe life is always full of faith things and I missed them so God is giving me some things I can't miss!

I am re-reading a book that I very much like.  I read it about 5 years ago after a very hard time in my personal life - I remember seeing this book at the library - and it just jumped off the shelf at me.  I thought 'This is the book that is going to explain why person X did that terrible thing to me!!'  God sure does have a sense of humor because in the end, the book was about me, and how I couldn't change them, but I could change me - and I needed to - fast!
Here is the book - I highly recommend it!

So this comes from the book I have been re-reading...  The author suggests that one of the main ways that Christian people are seduced into sin, is by taking their eyes off of the Lord (Faith) and doing what seems 'reasonable, rational or even religious'.  How many times have I fallen into that trap! 

Getting the right person for the right jobs, and all without hurting anyone's feelings.  Having enough money to pay the bills.  Choosing and buying curriculum for next year.  Making decisions about Grandpa's health. Working on relationships with my teen boys! All of these things require me to have faith that ultimately God is in control, but they also require that I take off the reasonable, rational or even religious, and instead seek God continually in these matters.  What I think may not be right, what I feel can deceive me, but what the Lord says, what He gives, is correct - even if it seems odd. 

I am not super mom/Christian/leader.  Please do not be under that delusion - I am only human and will likely disappoint.   I sometimes have difficulty knowing how to say what may need to be said or when I know I may be afraid to hurt someone's feelings.  God is working on this in me but I often put my foot in my mouth.  Because of this, I may not say something, even when I feel in my spirit that something is just not quite right. This is something God is working on in me - that I would have the courage to stand up for that voice, and the wisdom in how and what to say!

Part of the way that I discern God's voice is through spending time in His word and through isolating myself from most outside voices. So while I may not be spending lots of time on facebook or in emails or even in person, I am seeking, I am pursuing God for wisdom in all of these areas and so that when he speaks my spirit will hear!  What a blessing to be listening to the Holy Spirit that says 'this isn't quite right' or the quickening of knowledge 'YES, this is the way, walk in it!' 

So here is the word of encouragement to all you homeschooling moms who are thinking about next year (or really anyone who is thinking about anything!)
Maybe you aren't sure about curriculum or co-op classes or activities to plan. I would encourage you to take off what may seem reasonable, rational or even religious, put aside your expectations, and spend time in God's word.  Pray and seek him, seclude yourself in prayer, pray without ceasing - pray about it every time it comes to mind - stop and pray about it right now.  I had a friend who described her life as 'praying at the bookshelves, praying at the computer screen, praying at the dinner table.'  She was on her knees before the Lord seeking guidance and direction for her homeschool - and it shows!

I promise you that God does not want His will for your life to be a mystery - instead He wants to show you great and remarkable things! 

Jeremiah 33:1-3 While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the Lord gave him this second message: ² “This is what the Lord says—the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name is the Lord: ³ Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.

Please don't think it was just Jeremiah - because the Apostle Paul had this prayer - which he prayed for you and I. 

Ephesians 20: 14-21

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,¹⁵ the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. ¹⁶ I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. ¹⁷ Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. ¹⁹ May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

²⁰ Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. ²¹ Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

and AMEN =)  God has great things in store for us!  Seek His will and be brave enough to follow him no matter where He leads!

Blessings,
Amanda