This new life mantra is specifically in regard to who I am created to be and where I am going. I was thinking this weekend about how far the Lord had brought me in even just a year's time. To think that I would be back in Greensboro with the unique opportunity to pursue an dream uninhibited was a foreign concept to me a little over a year ago, but every day since I've been here, I have been able to live that dream out and see Jesus unfold greatness right in front of me.
The major challenge in moving to a new place for me has been moving away from a lot of friends and community that I had already established. It has stretched me in many capacities. It has shown me that some relationships were seasonal and it has shown me that I have to stop trying so hard to go back and dwell over my last season. See, here's a reality about me you may not know: I am a control-freak. In every sense of the word. I try to keep my controlling nature at bay outwardly (because I constantly want everyone else to be happy) but in regard to the season I left behind, I have found myself trying to control the outcomes of relationships that are behind me. While I still care deeply about the community I left behind and it is in no way my intention to stop caring about it, I have to keep moving forward. I have to stop worrying (
You see, control can be like quicksand. It is a never ending cycle that pulls us deeper and deeper and farther away from where we are headed. First, we want to control small things and, eventually, it will take over every activity of our lives. I am learning that being a control-freak doesn't benefit me and it certainly doesn't show the grace of Jesus to others. I need to be willing to follow Jesus one step at a time and to trust that He did not bring me here to drop me off and let me figure out the rest on my own. He is a faithful God, but he is a God that will not be mocked or controlled. I am moving forward and refusing to let my humanly need to control things impede his continued direction over my journey. I am committed to listening more than I ever have been. And, this is a PROCESS. I can't get better at it over a 24 hour period. It takes time and diligence and effort and discomfort, but I am committed.
I wouldn't be blogging about this if i didn't think it had the potential to significantly encourage you readers. I think you can take a lot away from this lesson I'm learning as well. I know of a few things to be 100% true in life; Jesus, the value of human relationship, and that there is joy available in living life to its fullest. If we want opportunities to impact this world for the Kingdom, we have to stop trying so hard to control our circumstances. Opportunities will come without our constant supervision. Right next to you today, maybe in the next office, maybe in the restaurant where you will eat lunch, maybe right within your family are people who need to know how much Jesus loves them. And not in an elementary sunday-school way. They need to know the profound, life-altering love of Jesus. Tell them about it.
Let's take on this challenge together: Stop trying so hard to control our circumstances, stop trying to constantly play it cool, stop trying to impress people because we want their approval, stop only following our dreams if we have every "next step" lined up. Instead, let's look forward instead of back and run hard after what we are created to be. I promise, there are awesome things waiting ahead of you...you just have to be willing to keep on walking forward.
Happy Monday, readers. Have a great day!
No comments:
Post a Comment