Purposeful Prose

Thrive

by Tina

This isn’t what I was going to post today. I did it again. I really have to learn not to speak so soon (sigh), but the Lord will get through to me eventually. 

Speaking of eventually…

I was definitely in a good mood on Sunday. It’s pretty clear that I’m in good spirits when my cheekiness makes an appearance. So I’d said to Andrew, “Hey, you didn’t give me a kiss.” He responded with, “I was gonna. I was comin’ around.” (Around my chair.) So I couldn’t resist saying, “Yeah, you come around–eventually.” I received a wide-eyed look for that one which only made me laugh more. 

What goes around comes around. He got me back while we were listening to our sermon. When the Pastor said something about thriving where you’ve been planted Andrew gave me a VERY smug smile. We give each other a hard time, but it’s mostly in a playful way.  

I have to clarify something; I was NOT running away from blogging! I didn’t even want to take a break. I wasn’t being like Jonah, I was being like Abraham by taking my blog up the mountain... er, so to speak. After testing Abraham, God stopped him. He stopped me too. Andrew was right about me coming back to my blog.

He was also right when he said that if I don’t let it flow it flows out my eyes, but this is more than simply continuing to write; I second guess everything that I share. I haven’t been trusting the Holy Spirit to lead me. This is one of the things that keeps causing me to shed some tears. I won’t “Be still” (or let go) and trust God.

Because things have been difficult for an extended period of time my focus shifted. I started looking to find my joy and peace in other things: friendship, fellowship and the beautiful things around me. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying these lovely things (Jesus created them for us to enjoy.), but when they take the place of God they become idols. We worship the creation over the Creator. This is sin.

It’s funny (not haha funny), in trying to find balance I managed to tip the scale the other way, becoming even more imbalanced. Apparently this is what happens when we try to do things in our own strength. I have to trust God for everything.

God tests us to shows us our strength and weakness. I do respect my heavenly Father. I want to be obedient to Him, but my weakness has been the distance between us. However, I do believe that we can thrive in any growing condition if we will seek His face (or His presence) and His help. So this is what I’m going to pursue.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.”

Psalm 51:12-13 

“But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

Genesis 22:11-12

(Photo credit goes to Pixabay.com user klimkin.)

16 thoughts on “Thrive”

    1. Forcing it definitely doesn’t work. I have to trust God. Following His lead is the only thing that will sort me out. This means letting go of my own understanding of things, which apparently, is a long process… So I have to change my attitude towards this. I have to remember that it’s an adventure and embrace the mystery. *she adjusts her sails*

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  4. Reading your words, Tina, it’s evident that you are being led by the Holy Spirit. This is great teaching for us all – to always have God in his rightful place and to delight in Him. Thank you! 🙌💞

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    1. Thanks Lesley. ☺ I was feeling really exposed and anxious after I shared that, but I think I’m good now. When I re-read it I don’t know why I was anxious, except that that dirty devil is still trying to use his fear tactics on me I guess. Fear hasn’t stopped me yet.

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      2. Just being open and honest. Not, that this is something new, but I still get anxious about feeling like I’m in the spotlight or caught in the headlights, from time to time. Plus, I felt guilty that I got off track. I’m letting that go as I get back on track.

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      3. It’s difficult for some of us to be comfortable with opening up ourselves to others. Do as much as you’re comfortable with and, if you should open up, I believe most people are understanding, or try to be. And don’t hold on to guilt, Tina. We all get sidetracked at times. The fact that you care shows you have a sincere heart, which God knows more than anyone. x

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  5. The main thing is that you recognize when you get off the track. It’s when we don’t even see we have a problem that the trouble really ramps up. You are being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and He is able to speak to you. We all have our ups and downs, but it’s when we want to hear the Lord’s voice that He can do the most for and in and through us. I’m glad you have this outlet. Until this week I had not posted on my blog for a long time. I’m hoping to get back into the routine I used to have. There is so much to share when we are walking with Jesus, and if we hold it in or back, we are not the only ones who suffer for it. We are actually keeping a blessing from others. And the beautiful thing about that is that we never know who we will bless in the journey. Keep writing Tina. God bless.

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