What do you see the Lord actively doing in your life? Another way to say that is “What has the Lord been speaking into your life?”
I think this has the potential to be a good topic for a regular post. I think it’s good to regularly take stock in what the Lord is doing in and through us as we spend time in the word, in prayer, and in worship. Since scripture tells us that there should be much FRUIT born from our walk with Jesus (John 15:1-8), we should probably be able to recognize some of it…
So, what HAS the Lord been speaking into me?
My “life verse” or the verse I have committed to memory and I return to over and over is Proverbs 3:5-6 . that verse reminds me that I’m not “all that”. I am fallible and I need His wisdom and mercy. However lately, the Lord has been speaking to me about Revelation 2:2-5 “… You have forsaken your first love…”
I feel that He means it physically AND spiritually. Physically, for my home life, I am reminded of Proverbs 5:15-19 . These verses speak about honoring purity in my life by tending to the needs in my marriage. I must remember to pay attention to my bride which means I must remember to “forsake all others” (The Book Of Common Prayer and Ephesians 5:25-31). This specifically means, that I must remember to put my wife’s needs and desires above my hobbies and distractions. I must continue to try to communicate more and engage life WITH her at my side.
What is true in the physical world is also true in the spiritual world. I must strive to actively engage in building my relationship with the Lord as well. The Lord remembers my past desire to good work (secular/physical) and good works (spiritual) before I was jaded by experiences. He calls me back to “work as if into the Lord” (Colossians 3:23-24), which it’s to say that I need to get back to serving in all that I do. I must do it with enthusiasm, grace, patience and strength. This does not mean to over-work myself or others, but to give honor to the work and to the ones I work for.
The Lord has been poking me about discipline. He reminds me to “take up my cross” (Luke 9:23) daily, and that “His mercies are renewed daily” (Lamentations 3:22-23). He reminds me that I need to remember to be a follower first and so that I can be built into the leader He wants me to be. I must stop trying to “skip the line” because I am impatient or ambitious. God is good and just. He will reward or efforts in His good and perfect timing.
And finally, there is nothing wrong with wanting something new or better, but it is “not mine, but His will be done…” (Luke 22:42, Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, and John 6:38). I may make plans and strive to bring them to fruition, but “it is the Lord who guides my steps“… (Proverbs 16:9 , Psalm 37:23, Psalm 31:14-15, Jeremiah 10:23) I must be willing to toil, learn and grow into the man He wants me to be. I will continue to pray for God’s leadership, direction and strength to move forward as things get hard.
So, it’s time I get back to it. Let’s do the work of the Lord.