Daughters and Sons of the Most High God:
May the Lord Bless You This Very Moment. “Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy….” Philippians 1:2-4. Have a wonderful week in the Lord and remember, “Your purpose is by design, God’s design!”
DESTINY DECISIONS
Towards the end of 2007, I began to retrospectively ponder over the first half of my life. I particularly began to ponder some things as it related to past relationships and specifically looking introspectively so that going forward, I will make better choices of whom I allow in my life. Since that time, I’ve escalated that yearly retrospective look to a quarterly “self-check in and check-up” which have proven to be a really great thing to do. I have been journaling for a few years now and I have found it also to be a good idea in that I’m able to go back and read over things that I’ve written and prayed in my journals, promises I’ve made to God and to myself to see what accomplishments I’ve made, the promises yet to be fulfilled (help me Lord), the places where I’m still in “the process” and where I still experience challenges.
Since doing all of this, a very close friend of mine and I were sharing concerning our most recent relationship challenges and the new choices that we had decided to make. Later, I realized that some of those choices that we discussed were choices that we had emphatically stated we were going to implement but somewhere along the line the decision was never really made. I had to admit to myself, that when it came to some relationships, I had been talking loud, but really wasn’t saying anything.” (Thanks James Brown). You see, a decision requires the corresponding action. And, that decision and corresponding action begins with YOU.
Many of us have fallen prey to negative relationships because we chose individuals based on a temporary need. Let's keep it real here, we all are human, and yes, we have made mistakes. (I’m so thankful that we serve a forgiving Savior). God created us with the capacity to give love and receive love. The desire to be loved is normal but when that very normal and God-given desire is not steered by the one who gave it, we end up physically and emotionally bankrupt and shipwrecked.
When we respect and love what God has made - YOU- and, when we begin to seek the Lord diligently and wait for his leading concerning who is called to walk with us, we will begin to make better life choices at every level. Whether friendships or a life partner, the birthing of your “baby” is inexplicably tied to whom we align ourselves with and how we operate within that relationship. You must know who is called to “walk” with you. If you, as the called of God, know and understand that there is a price to walk with God, a sacrifice to be made to carry the anointing of God, a tearing of the flesh to become a trusted vessel of God, then there is a price that those who are called to walk with us must pay as well. Some are only there for the “fish and loaves” and some cannot pay the price because they are not called to do so.
Understand that Relationships actually begin with you. You cannot have a successful relationship with anyone except you are able to have an honest relationship with yourself.
When considering relationships, begin by asking yourself the following questions:
1) Am I emotionally wounded? Do I need to extend forgiveness or am I open to receive it? Is my performance or insatiable drive to achieve on the job, school, in ministry, etc. covering for the real bitterness and need for healing that is living underground and developing roots? Before we can love anyone else, we must love ourselves. When we are emotionally wounded, unforgiving or need to forgive, we block our own blessings. Remember what Jesus said, "When ye stand praying, forgive, that your Father in heaven may forgive you." It is true that “wounded people wound others.” And, just because you've moved on from a situation doesn't mean you're over it or healed from it. You can always change geographic locations but still carry issues with you. Deep down inside of yourself, you know the real truth. With the right provocation, (if you're not healed), here comes the "stuff" bubbling right up to the surface. You may say, "Oh, I know I'm way over that! It happened more than 10 years ago! Why did I react that way?" Because it was still there! Unresolved issues that aren't dealt with have a way of showing up again. Take the mask off and seek the healing that only God can administer. Submit yourself to the Lordship of Christ. Heal and forgive so you can step into your destiny as a healed and whole person.
2) Is this a destiny connection? Am I choosing an individual based on a temporary fix or is he/she a part of the plan and purpose God has for my life? Are they called to walk with me? Can I make an investment in this person? Can they invest in me? Are they trustworthy? Tall, dark and handsome, lips hips and fingertips is "all good," really it is and, God isn’t mad about that either. Physical attraction is normal and in order. Let's call it the "attraction factor" but it takes a lot more to build and maintain a quality relationship. Physical attributes are temporal and are never to be used to determine whether or not a person is called to walk with you. It is those inner qualities and values that will weather the storms and stand the test of time. When considering whether or not it is a "destiny" connection, be honest with yourself as well as the potential significant other. Acknowledge "red flags" and don't be afraid to talk and ask questions.
3) Am I making facts of feelings? Do I live on an emotional roller coaster? Feelings can and do change but the seed of true love will develop roots, is mature, is consistent and stable despite opposition. I Corinthians 13:1
4) Do I value the thoughts, feelings and opinions of others? Diversity is healthy and normal. It is a part of living and working within the Body of Christ as well as society in general. It broadens our parameters and prevents us from being "lopsided" people. Diversity helps to balance us as does our toes on our feet. We learn much about ourselves from others and those who are a part of our circle of influence/peers. Why? Because we rarely see ourselves as others see us. It also prevents life from becoming boring and mundane. Be wary, however, so as not to use diversity as an excuse to compromise your values, water down the Word of God or attempt to make changes to God’s blueprint for your life to accommodate fleshly desires.
Each day God affords us the precious opportunity to make righteous choices. Thankfully, his “new mercies” every morning gives us the chance to get it right when we do it wrong!
I’d like to end Monday Moments today (which ended up being Tuesday this week. So sorry folks, was extremely busy yesterday) by quoting something my mother used to say to me. She said “Girl, you are in too big of a hurry. Slow down and wait on God. He knows what you need. And, by the way, God doesn’t need your help!” Of a truth, that is the problem with many of us; WE ARE IN TOO BIG OF A HURRY AND WHEN THINGS ARE NOT MOVING AS QUICKLY AS WE’D LIKE THEM TO MOVE,WE MOVE INTO “HELP GOD MODE!”
Keep in mind Psalms 37:4-5: “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
God can only bless us to the extent that we deal honestly and righteously with ourselves and each other.
Please feel free after reading Monday Moments each week to share your thoughts right here or email me at latterraindeliverance4u@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from you!
In Purpose,
Pastor Linda
©copyright Monday Moments-Linda Robinson - January 2007
No comments:
Post a Comment