I recently heard the lyrics of a song and it resonated within my spirit. Please take the time to read them below (and listen, if you can), I'll continue my thoughts afterward.
(YouTube Video with Lyrics)
"What If I Gave Everything" - Casting Crowns
Deep in my chest is the heart of a warrior
So why am I still standing here
On a life that never stepped across the line
You’ve given me a faith that can move a mountain
But I’m still playing in the sand
Building little kingdoms that’ll never stand
Starting now I’m stepping out onto deeper waters
Starting now I’m stepping out onto deeper waters
I want to see some mountains move
Ready to give everything
Say goodbye to standing here
--
All too often we say we are ready for the deep waters, yet here we are, still standing in the shallow of the beach. Why is it that we hold back from stepping forward? Is it fear? And if so, fear of what? Not being acceptable? Not being "good enough"? Not knowing exactly what to say?
((Future Blog Topics!))
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let's slow down a little.
(I love it, God totally talks to me through these little "blurbs" I post on here. So yeah, this is me and my story, what I'm going through and dealing with.)
Before we get too carried away, let's first figure out this:
- What exactly am I saying when I say "deep waters"??
Glad you asked. "Deep Waters" is a place where I am completely engulfed, consumed and at the mercy of the 'current'. In this instance, the "Current" is God. I want to surrender my life completely over to HIM and HIS will.
Okay, great! Isn't that every Christians desire? Yes, I pray so! So... if I want to surrender completely to His will, let's then figure out this:
- What exactly IS God's will for my life RIGHT NOW?
Again... glad you asked. I know there's some "major" things that God would have me and my husband do and/or participate in, however, I want to talk about the day to day things...
“His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.”
Matthew 25:21 AMPC http://bible.com/8/mat.25.21.ampc
So what small things should I be observing and being faithful in?
Oh, simple. It really is quite simple.
Do you like lists? Here's a good start:
- Daily Prayer.
- Reading & Applying the Word of God.
- Fasting.
- Love.
- Tithing & Offering.
Whoooooaaaaa! Wait. There's no way it could really be that simple. No? Yeah. Really, I think it can be.
If I begin with
Daily Communing with the Lover, Redeemer, Savior and Friend of my Soul,
Daily Reading His divine Word and applying it to my life...
Fasting & Pray for the needs of others,
Loving all of God's children unconditionally to the point of servanthood,
Returning the tithe to God that is already His and give in abundance from what He has financially and physically blessed me with...
I very well believe I'm on my way to walking in His Will!
These things are my focus right now. This is the small things I'm trying to be faithful in. Sure, I slip up and fail to show the Love of God at times. Life gets busy and I don't read the Word as I should... sometimes prayer time is rushed--- but I'm longing for the deep. I'm ready to see what happens when I stop holding back from HIM.
“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.”
Romans 12:1 AMPC
http://bible.com/8/rom.12.1.ampc
We read in the scripture "make a decisive dedication of your bodies, present all of your members and faculties, as a living sacrifice". That's true worship. We cannot hold anything back. Not our time, our finances, our homes, our entertainment... if it's not pleasing God, we haven't given it to Him.
Our time & how we spend it should be holy.
Our finances and how we spend it should be Holy.
Our homes and all that occupy it should be holy.
Our entertainment should be Holy.
If it isn't good, honest, true, and pure, we shouldn't be dwelling on it.
He has done SO much for us, and in our favor, it is our reasonable, logical and ONLY service and form of worship-- to give ourselves wholly and completely to Him.
((My "small things" list may not be all inclusive, and there's SO much more to discuss, but I'll save it for another post. 🙂))
So... what about you? What small thing are you finding yourself focusing on? Day-to-day. Are you being diligent? I'm tired of standing in the sand and building kingdoms that will never stay. Only what we do for Christ will last. I'm ready to see mountains move. You??? 😊
-pw 9/12/17
