Every morning I wake up with a plan for the day, but rarely do I head to bed after doing what I set out to do just 16-18 hours earlier. I often think my agenda is what is right, but daily God reminds me it is His plan that is perfect.
You'd think that daily reminder would be enough to make me constantly embrace His plan, but my stubborn mind tends to forget too quickly. At times I try too move ahead doing what I think is best.
Lysa TerKeurst reminds us "that God indeed has a plan. Not just a good plan. Not even a really good plan. God has the perfect plan." Wow! I need to rest in that!
This plan applies to every facet of our lives, but the area He seems to have me focusing on is just like Lysa mentioned, "sharing the real me, the imperfect, desperate-for-God me."
God is an honest God, so obviously His plan for me is honesty as well. I know that, but for quite some time have lived believing the lie the more people know about me the less they will want to know me.
I think of my closest friends and know that isn't how I feel about them, but for some reason I've never been one to share. Growing up I was the listener, always available to hear what anyone had to say, but rarely letting anyone know what was on my heart.
A past that includes depression and times of loneliness proves that isn't what God wants for any of His children, myself included. As time moves on though He also reminds me being real isn't just for my own good.
Just as others impact and bless me by sharing from the heart, my story could help someone else. Experience is a wonderful teacher and using my pain or mistakes to keep a sister from the same struggle may be out of my comfort zone and doesn't always appear on my to-do list, but it is part of His plan.
The influence doesn't stop there - God calls me, and you, to be real, open and honest for even more. When we go deep and share our heart - the good and the bad, we also share our faith. And when someone sees what God has done for me, that can only give them hope for what He can do for them.
So like I said rarely do I start the day with "share my heart" on my agenda, but I know when God brings the assignment I must follow thru. It's not always easy, sometimes not real fun, and others I am afraid, but it is always right. After all, it is part of His plan, the perfect plan.
8 comments:
Loved your thoughts for today.
Don't believe the lie Satan tells you. You are important and worthy of sharing and loving.
I wake up each morning and before I get out of bed, I offer up my life that day as an offering to my King. He has yet to disspoint me!!
I'd love to chat over email if you want info on publishing.
God is an honest God, so obviously His plan for me is honesty as well.
I loved this, Jill, so very true and timely.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
I believe that is a precious gift Lysa and her ministry have brought to us: transparency. As women, we get so caught up in being the perfect everything! I'm just as guilty as the next. Letting myself be vulnerable, sharing my weaknesses, has always been difficult. But it reaps such rewards! True, deep relationships, not shallow ones. Good for you for resolving to listen to His voice! I'll say a prayer for you as you start this journey!
Hi Jill,
So true - we don't want to be real because we're afraid people won't like us. I wish I showed as much concern for God's opinion as I do about everyone else. I'm getting better but have a long way to go.
Luanne
I used to feel the same way - not wanting to share too much of my past for fear that someone would not understand or judge me. But I now realize that it's best to share what God has done for me.
Blessings,
Sandra
God's plans for our lives are perfect, and honesty and transparency are definitely a part of that. God bless you for sharing your heart. As we put what we're learning into practice, our faith muscles really are stretching, arent' they?
I think it's good to share what God has led you to share. With Him, it will be ok and you will feel ok about sharing. And...it usually will help someone else too.
Keep trusting!! :)
This was really good Jill and very real! I was coming home from my sister's the other night when I read this on a church sign: "Are you using what God has given you to bless others or just yourself?"
I don't think of that as just writing ability or musical talents, I think of that as my past too. There are things in my past I really hope God never brings up, but if He does I will try my hardest to be like Abraham and just GO. :) Great job Jill, keep seeking what He puts on your agenda!
Blessings,
Lelia
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