Who's In Charge?

What do you believe in? What drives you to who you are or where you are going?  It may not be who or what you think. I used to think I was in control of my thoughts and my actions.  It was my mind that went astray because I was not concentrating hard enough.  If someone made me mad and I reacted emotionally, it was justified because of that person or situation. It's not my fault! What I thought and felt were mine and mine alone.

Look at what the Word of God says about thoughts and actions of this world:

"For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies--the evil rulers of the unseen world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world."    Ephesians  6:12

My refuge is Christ Jesus, who strengthens me. Without His help in my life, I don't know where I would be. Certainly not a hygienist or the caregiver I've become. Life is a journey.  Christ's desire in our lives is to praise and please Him. Unfortunately, the dark powers that are in charge right now often overshadow our best intentions.

Recently, I had the realization that things that seem fun or exciting often take us away from our sovereign Lord. Our purpose is to please God, not man.  So many pitfalls that cause me to stumble, often I wonder if I will be able to get up again. Life is hard!  Each one has or will have moments when you may ask, "How much more?"

Center in Christ. My time with Christ is in the morning before everyone awakes.  It's a time for me to sit in silence with my creator and bask in His greatness. It's a time of devotion and prayer before my day begins. This wasn't always the case. For years I went to church, prayed before meals, occasionally prayed at night before bed.  Sometimes during the day I prayed, if I thought He could help me.

What changed?  My daughter, Heather, invited me to read a book with her that changed my prayer life.  I think it will change yours too.  Draw the Circle, by Mark Batterson, opened my eyes to the living God who hears my prayers and loves me now matter what.  Since then, I've made significant changes in my personal life.  God knows all, and I want to live in His plan.  Not mine.  I'm a Type A personality, I love order and control. I want to choose, make decisions, and plan.  Unfortunately, that's when I screw up!  I really don't know what's best.  At the time it seems good, fun, exciting!  But it took me away from God.  Life is a journey...not for me, but for God.

Without a firm foundation and self-control, failure awaits just around the corner.  To be faithful to anything, requires commitment and self-control.  It's putting everything else in front of self.

Life is a journey of discovery.  I want to continue to discover every day of my life here on earth how to glorify and love to the fullest.  If you walk in the pathway He has set for you, a peace overshadows doubt. A calmness overtakes chaos. Love wins over hate.

Where is your heart?  Is it in this world of fulfilling the ME? Or is it in Christ Jesus?

Health-bite:  center yourself in the Word of God