I have often struggled with feelings of inadequacy or incompleteness (still do, in fact), and I really don't think that I am alone in this. Feeling that something is missing, or others have some special something that makes their spiritual walk easier, or more meaningful, or helps them feel closer to God than it seems to be for me is, I believe, not uncommon – perhaps it is even universal.
Have you ever thought about that feeling and wondered if you will ever "get" whatever it is that you feel is missing? I know I have, but then God showed me something very powerful. It's a LIE! Who does that feeling serve? Yes, maybe it might cause you to pray more and seek God more passionately, and that's a good thing, but do you ever feel like you've "gotten" it? No, you don't. That feeling of something missing and just out of reach keeps our focus on guess who – me. self, not God. And that only serves the enemy, not ourselves, and certainly not God! He tells us countless times in scripture to keep our focus on Him. Obsessing about "what's wrong with me?" and seeking a solution to a problem that doesn't really exist is a sure fire plan to short circuit the real plan God has for each of us! God created you and me unique and just as we are for a specific purpose in His plan. That purpose, and Him, is what we need to be seeking, not some elusive "flaw" in ourselves.
Forgive me Lord for being so foolishly deceived! Whenever I start running on that false treadmill, Lord please trip me up and show me what I'm doing. Get me out of it quickly and pull my eyes back to You. In Jesus' name and in the power of His blood I pray, Amen.
Kathy
If I had but a single day,
Where would I go ? What would I say?
How would I choose my time to spend?
What would I do before day's end.
If I only had one day?
If I had but a single day,
Would I relive some yesterday?
Would I recall all my regrets,
The jobs undone, the useless frets,
If I only had one day?
If I had but a single day,
Would fear of some tomorrow play
Upon my mind and steal from me
The present opportunity,
If I only had one day?
If I had but a single day,
Would labor claim my night and day?
Would every waking moment be
Consumed to grasp prosperity,
If I only had one day?
If I had but a single day,
Would I sit back from all the fray
And wait for someone else to take
Initiative to make it great,
If I only had one day.
If I had but a single day,
Would I find time to kneel and pray?
Would kindness, love, and charity
Toward others take priority
If I only had one day.
Indeed, I have a single day.
I can't recover yesterday.
Tomorrow is beyond my grasp.
I can't control future or past.
For I only have this day.
– author unknown
My prayer is that I and all of us who call ourselves Christians would not waste any more time and see the priority of living each day as "small Christs" and not get caught up in our own little kingdoms.
Be well,
Steve
