Like most folks, I made a commitment to live life differently this year. In reflection of last year and the years prior, I made the conscious decision to live life with fewer regrets ~~ in other words, make fewer mistakes.
But in order to make good going forward, I felt inclined to come clean with not only myself but with God Almighty. Confession was first on the to-do list. Not just the usual, “forgive me, Lord, for _______ and _____,” but authentic and sincere deep down in the depths of my soul kind of purging.
Here we are midway through the launch month of the new year and I’m still confessing. Seems as though God wants to do a deep cleaning in my house ~~ and the tug on my heart causes it to beat with anticipation of what lies ahead of me.
I must say, Girlfriend, this is not easy. As I continue to pray and ask God to reveal to me those things that are unnecessary, He gently and lovingly whispers hope into my spiritual ears.
Searching His Word, He casts my eyes to behold Scriptures that specifically speak of His unfailing love. This was especially true on numerous occasions when I felt so depressed and lost in my sorrows. Hope ~~ He was whispering messages of hope so that I would remain upright and encouraged despite what my spiritual eyes saw in the mirror.
As I meditate on daily verses that are placed before me during my morning devotionals, The Lord continues to minister to my soul with words of Comfort, to dispel the fear that taunts me ~~ fear of failure. Can I possibly do this and remain faithful from this moment forward?
The enemy of my soul haunts me with a past that thrived on the applause and approval of others. Yes, a real-people pleaser ~~ I was in deep with perfectionism and over-achieving behavior, in pursuit of being rewarded with the accolades and blue-ribbons of exemplary accomplishments. And it was indeed exhausting!
Becoming a Christ-Follower, I had to re-learn what my true purpose in life was/is. The Journey to fulfilling that will continue until my time on earth ceases.
My true purpose in life is to worship the living and true God ~~ by bringing others to Christ and helping them grow. My passion is the unique way in which God Himself empowers me to fulfill that ~~ by developing characteristics that allow me to live each day in the exact manner He would have me do so ~~ touching the lives of others, as no one else could. We all have that ability, if we let God do the transforming work.
We must allow God to place His trademark on our lives so that others will see Him imprinted in the legacy we leave behind.
The whispers of hope, kindness, love, compassion, gentleness, friendship ~~ these things we are called to pass on. Will it be perfect? Maybe not in our Human estimation of things ~~ we could go round and round with all the “should’ve done” and “could’ve been better” criticisms ~~ but I believe that God supernaturally touches every attempt at Good that is done in His Name ~~ and makes it perfectly purposeful.
That stirring in your soul right now, Sister, it’s God whispering to you those sweet somethings ~~ allow Him to come in and have a conversation with you this day.
“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT
Maybe you will be instrumental in resuscitating life into a dying soul. The Lord can use you and me to share compassion to encourage someone that is hurting. We are all capable of being used by The God Who Created us to reach out to those around us.
If we would just pause long enough to hear Him whisper.
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20 NLT
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~
LindaRJohnson
T2T Visionary
Titus Two 