Shifted

As I’m sitting here sipping my morning cup of coffee, the rain pouring down outside and a cool breeze bristling through the branches of the trees, I’m feeling refreshed and peaceful.  Just like the rain is a reprieve from the hot, muggy days we’ve been experiencing, Jesus has been a reprieve to my soul.  I just finished reading the last pages of what has been an amazing book – "Stressed-Less Living," by Tracie Miles and I truly can’t believe that this life changing twelve week journey, with all the incredible woman of Melissa Taylor's Online Bible Studies and Proverbs 31 Ministries, is already coming to a close.  I’m not ready for it to end.

I remember, when considering going down this path, feeling like perhaps I should skip this study and rejoin for the next one because I was going to be so busy during those twelve set weeks…I almost have to laugh at myself now - knowing what I’ve learned since then; especially in reading the last chapter and when considering the reflection verse this week:

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." ~Luke 10:41-42 

Boy am I glad that the Lord kept me from that mistake – from being Martha!  I was going to choose the “many things” when what I needed most was “only one thing” – Jesus.  Praise the Lord he did not allow me to travel down that familiar sun parched road again!  Even though I am certain that he would not have abandoned me, I am equally sure that I would not have experienced the renewal and growth that I have spiritually and emotionally and I certainly would not have the peace in my heart that he has provided me with through this journey...

Before all of this, I was so obsessed with my circumstances and wanting God to take them away, that there was no room left for peace in my heart.  Only anxiousness, bitterness, and anger resided there.  What I didn’t understand is that God had a different plan.  He had a better plan.  The biggest and most life changing lesson that I’ve learned through the book and study is that, in turning our stresses and struggles over to God, he isn’t necessarily caught up in changing our circumstances.  He cares so much more about us than that.  He doesn’t want to just make our lives easier, he wants to make them better and He knows that this requires a change from within – that this requires a change of the heart.

When I stop and truly think about it, I’m astounded at what God can do with just one simple act of obedience.  He can truly change your whole world!  He has mine, and it all started with simply saying, “Yes Lord, I will sign up for Melissa Taylor’s Online Bible Studies.”  From that one thing he has led me back into: His Word on a daily basis, praying regularly, finding a new home church and attending regularly again, having fellowship with Christ oriented woman who I can relate to, turn to, open up to, and learn from.  And he has even led me back to the dreams I had buried deep within my heart – the dreams to have more children and to become a writer…I am just in awe of our God.  He is so good that he didn’t stop at just leading me "to" things either.  He has led me "away" from things as well. 

He has led me away from the destructive path I was on with my health.  I haven’t given into stress eating in weeks and am back on track eating healthy.  I’ve also handed over my physical injuries to him, letting go of my focus to be healed and focusing instead on being strong in Him.  As a result, I’ve been able to work out regularly and am starting to see some results. 

Overall, he has led me away from the destructive path where I saw and felt little hope for my future.  I have been rescued from the end of my rope and my feet planted firmly back onto the unshakeable and unbreakable foundation of our God.  My priorities, my focus, my heart, have all been shifted - shifted back to God where they belong.  Back to a place where I can say:

“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” ~Psalm 63:1

And that my friends, is a glorious place to be! 

What about you?  Are you thirsting for God, or are you looking to the world to quench your thirst like I was? Are you Mary or are you Martha? 

If you have been walking through a desert in your life, choosing the “many things” and feeling parched and losing hope, remember that God’s Word promises:

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5

He didn’t abandon Martha. 

He didn’t abandon me. 

He won’t abandon you. 

He loves you and wants you to be back in that place where you too are thirsting for him.  In order to do so - to make God your "one thing" again - may I encourage you to begin by choosing just one simple act of obedience to start with?  I don’t know exactly what that may be for you.  Maybe, like me, it’s reading the "Stressed-Less Living," book or joining the next online Bible study of the book – "What Happens When Women Say Yes to God."  I would certainly recommend them both.   But maybe it’s something entirely different for you than what God led me to get re-started with.  What is He pressing on your heart right now?  Do that!  And let him begin leading you down your road to renewal today.  Allow your priorities, your focus, your heart to be shifted by and back to the one and only who saves.  Let Jesus be your reprieve.  Let Jesus reign in the rain!

…and the Lord answered, (insert your name), “_______ has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.”