Present myself as a living sacrifice to the Lord.
For the past few weeks I've been getting off the 'altar'.
Walking away.
How?
By not renewing my mind but conforming it to the pattern of this world.
Obsessing.
Stressing.
Being anxious.
I haven't wanted to write any devotionals lately because I'm feeling like this woman above.
Here she is sitting with the Word of God beside her and the Rosary.
She's not even looking at the Word of God, let alone holding it.
See how her eyes are turned away?
Has that far off look too them?
I'm thinkin she is obsessing and meditating upon something, or someone that has brought irritation into her life.
Or maybe some 'sanding'?
You know,,those sand paper people?
She must be focused on the 'sanding' instead of God Who has allowed the sanding to happen to rub off the rough edges off of her.
Instead of placing the helmet of salvation on lately (Ephesians 6), I've been running around mentally with my head uncovered and allowing Satan's arrows to penetrate, bombard and plummet my thoughts.
My thoughts have been focused on others, instead of Christ Jesus.
It's been a daily battle.
Spend time in the Word of God and prayer..
Thoughts of the sand people would come to my thoughts...
Toss and turn it around for a few minutes..
Oh ya, I'm spending time with God ....focus, focus.
Go about my day with thoughts of Jesus and meditating upon this Advent season. The gift of peace. The gift of hope has been my focus these last two weeks..
Wait,...what was that that came to my mind?
Let's toss it around for a bit...
Wonder why my flesh is getting so agitated all of a sudden when just a few minutes before I was filled with peace and hope?
I definitely got me some 5 dollar LARGE bundles of sand paper going on around me these days!
Let me tell ya!
Well this is one of the reasons why I didn't want to write any devotionals.
I DON'T want to tell you!
I don't want to talk about it.
I don't want to share.
I guess I just wanted to keep my insane thoughts to myself. This tossing and turning, going back and forth.
It just hit me you know. Light bulb moment here.
All this time I thought I didn't want to share with any of you because I didn't want to be a burden, or I didn't want to 'talk' negative about what was going on within me.
I haven't let go and let God.
I allowed Satan to mess with my thoughts instead of taking them captive and bringing them to the obedience of Christ Jesus. Destroying ALL those arguments that have comes against the knowledge of God Almighty. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
I allowed the spirit of pride to take over.
"Let me keep trying to figure out how to deal with these sand paper people".
That's what I've been doing folks.
Trying to figure it out.
HELLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Angela!!
Let go. Let God.
The Word of the Lord is right and true; His faithful in all He does. Psalm 33:4
His Word tells me to rest in Him and wait patiently for Him. That He has made me and will care for me. He will carry me along and save me.
I DO NOT need to try to figure out why these sand paper people are in my life.
I DO NOT need to try to figure out how to get off the sanding table.
I DO NOT need to try to figure out how to deal with these sand paper people.
This is ALL I need to do.
My life has been created to worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords..
This is where I find my true calling.
This is where, even though I'm in 'exile' on this earth, (since this is NOT my home) I have been created for this....
It's all about Him.
SIGH.....
We are created to worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords, in and through all of our days...
Worship Him today precious one as you go about your day.
Keep your eyes on Him....
And if your on the sanding table like me today, REST in Him and wait patiently for Him to take you off..
Beloved one, let me tell ya,,we are going to be soooooooo polished,,no splinters coming off of us that will do damage and cause infection towards others......
Thy Kingdom come Father God on earth as it is in Heaven.
amen amen amen
7 comments:
Angela,
I read EVERY word and may I say, AMEN and AMEN! We've all been where you are and I've been there MORE than once in my walk with GOD where I was trying to "figure it all out" or "handle it" I should say. Allowing the sand paper people to rock my peace and then sinning in my anger as well by my thoughts or words. I've been there girl! I have had to stay under the saturation of the HOLY SPIRIT to not allow the "provoking" and even still at times I struggle so I know where you're coming from.
Thank GOD we can return to GOD'S peace by truly letting go and letting GOD.
Praise the LORD!
By the way, never feel you can't share with me (us) because you think you're burdening me (us). We are ALL here to support and encourage one another in our journey's.
Love you girl!
I agree with Lisa. Never feel like you can't tell us what you are feeling.
That's what we LOVE about you Angie. You tell us the truth. :)
Oh man. There were a lot of Sandpaper people out at Walmart the other day. I had to leave without getting the things I needed.
I hate shopping at this time of the year!
((Hugs)
Laura
I still smile at the thought of sandpaper people! I love reading your devotionals. Don't stop sharing your heart in them. Please!
I hope I haven't been rubbing you the wrong way (((hugs))). I tried to get you to open up. I'm always here for you. I just love how you talk about the sand paper and how it's smoothing out the rough edges in our lives...making us more like Him. Imagine the sand paper in Christ's life when he was on Earth. Great post Sis. I'm glad you opened up and shared your heart...your beautiful, Christ-like heart.
I agree 100% with all the lovely ladies who have already posted. Share, share, share!!! You are one of those who have inspired me to be so transparent on my own blog. You are not alone and we all struggle with the sandpaper people in our lives. I especially liked what you said about all the splinters being sanded away so we no longer hurt others with them. Praise God for the sandpaper - even when it hurts!
Love you,
Debbie
Amen sis.
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