Look Up

For the first time in a long time, I took a day off from work — not because I had an appointment or a meeting, but because I needed to sleep. You can tell when your body is running low on fuel, and the logical thing to do is to fuel up. Unfortunately, we often times neglect ourselves — thinking that no one else can do our jobs or won’t do it the way that we will.

I’m fortunate in the sense that no one wants my job. They actually tell me that regularly…lol. I’m not offended though; they shouldn’t want my job. If they truly knew what it entailed, they might run fast and furiously in the opposite direction, but if they knew the payoff — what God has lined my heart, path, and eternity with, I wonder if they’d change their minds. My Provider appointed me to that position for a specific time and purpose, and until he sends me elsewhere, I’ll work with all my heart as if working for him — not man.  Another benefit for me is that the other leaders at my workplace could do my job just as well as I (if not better). I’ve been truly blessed with the best in that regard too.

I really don’t like to miss work, mainly because I enjoy what I do, but when I notice myself getting a little snippier than usual or more easily frustrated, and a Snicker bar from my sweet secretary won’t make things better,  I know it’s time for a little R&R. I had planned to rest until around 7:00 before getting up to write, but I didn’t end up writing at all. I spent most of the day napping and reading. Because I was well rested, I was prepared for an early start at bible study the next day.

Other than getting adequate rest, spending time in God’s word with a lovely group of Kingdom Women is a great way to refuel your tank. These ladies are the family that God chose specifically for me, and they each add value to the group by what they share and who they bring along with them. We had three new members join our group today — three sweet ladies I hope will join us again next month. As always, we laughed, we cried, and we encouraged each other through our hopes, our dreams, and our trials. My tank was completely full when I left them — even though it was nearly empty when I arrived.

I used that full tank to drive a bit further into town for a working lunch with my dear friend who is a Life Coach and blogger at Lady In Waiting 222. She was part of the bible study too, but she was in a different group. What we both gleaned from the session is that people are struggling to get past devastating circumstances in their lives. They get stuck and can’t move past the devastation. It has happened to so many of us — even believers who know God personally. As we prayed and allowed God to move, we were moved to do something about it. We decided to collaborate on a project that will help others to look up from the pit they’re currently in and reach out to those who can pull them out of the mire.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

When Coach and I talked about all that we’ve endured before coming out of the darkness, we knew that we had to share these testimonies in a unique way that would save lives. As we sat and chatted a little longer, I was reminded of a quote from John Maxwell. He said, You can’t lead someone where you have not gone. That quote resonated with me because he’s right.  I can’t minister to anyone about divorce or life after divorce because I have not experienced that. I can’t minister to anyone about addiction either because I have not experienced it firsthand. I have, however, experienced devastation on more than one occasion, and if I didn’t know God, I might not be here today. If I hadn’t prayed for help to climb out of the miry clay, I might still be stuck today. My heart aches for those who do not yet know God and may never see light without calling on him for help — the help that the Holy Spirit urged Coach and me to offer right away. She and I made a vow today to use our gifts and resources to be obedient to God’s call — that tug on our hearts to serve others who are barely existing after devastation. We are seeking him and allowing him to use us as he sees fit. He knows the plan, and for now, all we know is that we’ve been cast to play supporting roles. We’re content with that, as long as we know that God alone is the star of the show.

Is God speaking to you today to help someone get past their devastating situation? What can you do today to help them out of that pit?  Can you introduce them to the one who’s mighty to save? It’s so important to seek him while he may be found. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. May blessings abound! <3

Source : Biblegateway.com