Crazy friends or family who do dumb things, people I look up to who
let me down, or even those I really care for who don't reach my
expectations or maybe even hurt me. These are the things the devil uses
to mess with my mind the most. Can you relate?
Aside
from my own failings, short comings and missed opportunities, these have
found their way into my thoughts and added a great deal of weight to my
existence.
However the title for this note has been
resurfacing from time to time over the past few days, so it seemed like
the Lord was telling me it was time to write it down. Funny thing is, I
haven't done a lotta writing lately. Maybe even in the past few years. I
used to write all the time. Sweet beautiful, intense times alone with
God. Seemed like He was guiding my pen on my journal, or keyboard.
Sometimes when the tears dried, I'd read what the pen had written and be
astonished and nearly, if not totally fall apart again. It was those
words, I knew, did NOT come from inside me. I was merely a tool for the
Lord to get the message out... to help me and others get closer to the
Truth... to see things how they really were and not just how they
appeared to be.
Unfortunately, what Jesus said about
the "cares of this world" weighing you down and choking out the good
Seed growing in your heart is true. Distractions are everywhere. Its a
huge battle! Even good things can be a distraction from the Best.
Especially when you let thoughts of those you care about get in the way
of the Voice of the One who cares for you the most.
Jesus
said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify
God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me." 20 Peter turned around and saw
the disciple Jesus loved following them -- the one who had leaned over
to Jesus during supper and asked, "Lord, who among us will betray you?"
21 Peter asked Jesus, "What about him, Lord?" 22 Jesus replied, "If I
want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You follow
me." 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that that
disciple wouldn't die. But that isn't what Jesus said at all. He only
said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to
you?" - John 21:19-23 NLT
This may seem off topic, but i
think its this passage that has kept coming up and possibly getting me
ON topic. Every day, within us we inquire, "What about him? What about
her? What about this or that?" When Jesus clearly demonstrates, frankly,
that is pretty much none of my business what He does with someone else.
Many
times in my life, I've been called a "fixer." I didn't really
understand what that meant until recently.When I was a kid and my mom
and sister would argue and shout at each other, I thought I had to be
the "peace-maker." Sometimes referee. Sometimes arbitrator. Remember,
"blessed are the peace-makers?" I took that literally. Later I learned
that Scripture meant those who bring peace between God and Man, but
that's another topic.
It just seems so natural to me
and maybe even some kind of obligation when I see a hurt or a wrong, I
have to do what I'm able to do to make it write! Can anyone relate? I
guess I really didn't see it for what it was until the other day. My
husband was talking about something that was bothering him. Just as a
matter of conversation, I came back with some sort of explanation or
"solution" to his problem. Maybe I didn't even think it through. It just
seemed obvious. That's when he called me a "fixer." It seems he just
wanted me to listen.Not "fix it!" Have you been there? I felt horrible.
(Rightly so.)
That's when this theme started permeating
my mind. Then there was a perceived rejection by a dear friend. Then
another caught in a endless pattern of destructive behavior. Then other
loved ones who did shocking and unexpected things. Still others who have
no place for my input based on Scripture. (I'm too black and white.)
Dwelling
on these things can really make you NUTZ!! Times like that lately is
when the timeless Word rises in my heart: "Live carefree before God; he
is most careful with you." - 1 Peter 5:7 MSG So, maybe you ask
yourself, "Then what am I s'posed to do? Do I just act like I don't give
a darn about these people who are either hurting, blind, or ignorant?
Aren't I supposed to help when I can?" I ask that a lot. Sub-consciously
and demonstrate it in my actions, or words mostly.
A
good friend told me a long time ago, and sometimes I forget, "They only
need one Savior." and "You can't be Holy Spirit Jr." Basically, "Whats
it to you?" Only God can help them. Then we're back to the first
question. (I was asking God this morning) What am I supposed to DO????
So graciously the Voice I'd longed for came with this gentle reminder.
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require
of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your
God." - Micah 6:8
Isn't it just like our Beautiful God
to take our jumbled up thoughts and circumstances and just make it SO
simple!! What is there NOT to LOVE about Him???
Resting My Cares in Him,
Rebecca
PS
I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I
have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day
when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me
to be. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be,
but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the
past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the
end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ
Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. - Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
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