As it is Labor Day weekend, the Lord has definitely shown me He has some snazzy timing.
The kids’ memory verse for school this week was Matthew 11:28-“Come to Me all you who are weary and I will give you rest.” But even before that, I was pondering what probably every other adult in America ponders: busyness, priorities, needing a break, and–let’s be real with each other–wondering if I’m where I’m supposed to be, doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
There seem to be a lot of things that can steal my restful, peaceful, joyful spirit, things that can make me forget that all is well with my soul. Sometimes it is when schedules and sleep are out of balance, sometimes it is when I’ve gotten in a rut or failed to get in a rut that would have been a beneficial one! Sometimes one can figure it out and sometimes one cannot…and before you know it, “this too has passed”.
But sometimes it doesn’t pass, because something really needs to change. I have heard that the definition of insanity is when you keep doing the same thing, but genuinely expect a different result. That’s a wake up call if I ever heard one! So what may need to change? It may be a little tweak here and there in the “seen realm”, in the visible daily life, I know I have made some “external” changes lately for the better…but it may be something a little deeper that needs to be addressed.
I am learning the value of living authentically.
Living authentically, living in humble awareness of who you really are at this point in your existence and accepting it, brings rest and peace. Living with wrong motives, inferior focuses, or just a vague sense of wanting to “be more” or “better” brings strife and confusion.
I’ve been asking myself these questions lately:
*1* Do I make certain choices based on the recognition or positive regard I will get from others? Anything from what I wear to what career I am in, am I doing it to be placed in a certain group or elevated to a certain level in others’ eyes?
*2* Do I need my successes or good things that I do to be visible to others in order for me to enjoy my life and enjoy how God is at work in me?
*3* Do I decide where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing on based on whether I excel at it or if God has asked me to be there for His purposes?
Sometimes things need to change, in our jobs, in our relationships, in our lives. But sometimes all that needs to change is we get real with ourselves and see if we are living purposefully and authentically right where we are.
I believe with all my heart Jesus came to give us LIFE and life to the FULL. He gave us work that will enrich the lives of others and give us a chance to have the Christ-life formed in us, and He gave us a rest that goes far beyond a Sunday afternoon nap. His rest is the communion with Him that carries us through every place He has asked us to be, with every person He has asked us to serve.
Peace and grace, friends!
