There is a song that I have downloaded to my phone titled, “The Father’s House”, by Cory Asbury. Here are part of the lyrics:
“Sometimes on this journey, I get lost in my mistakes What looks to me like weakness is a canvas for Your strength And my story isn’t over, my story’s just begun And failure won’t define me ’cause that’s what my Father does… (then the chorus begins with) Ooh, lay your burdens down…
The “lay your burdens down” part has been resonating in my head all week. In the past, I have thought the LORD placed me on this planet to save the world. You will recognize this superhero complex in me by my choice of careers (Nurse), forcing my way in to serve churches that didn’t want me there because they already had superheroes in place, and… forcing my way into the writing world and trying to save the world through words and thoughts.
I set up huge puzzles in my house so that people will feel welcome to come and relax and have the excitement of putting a few pieces together. The problem is… no one I know wants to work puzzles with me. It has been setting on the table in our play area for months now. I have no time to spend working on it myself, and no one that comes to my house cares about that puzzle. I’m putting it up today.
There are so many things we do that we think others might enjoy and appreciate, but most of the time they don’t. They’re looking for their own place— to save the world.
Early this morning I was contemplating all these things as I read a Robin Jones Gunn book, Home of Our Hearts. It is the second book in the Christy & Todd The Married Years series.
I think God plans for us to be reading certain things that He can speak to us through when we are contemplating our life.
Here’s what I read (You won’t need to know the characters to get the message of this passage.):
Eli speaking, “‘When my mom prays she always says, ‘Your kingdom come and Your will be done.’ If God wants you here and if you’re asking Him what He wants, He’ll bring you here. I believe that. What I’ve seen too often is when people show up here because they think Africa (my words: or this person, or this church, or this… fill in the blank) needs them. They want to help God out somehow. It’s much better to humbly ask God what He wants. He doesn’t need our help. He wants our hearts.'” (p. 199-200)
We show up because we think a church needs us, or a certain group of people needs us, or that everyone likes to work puzzles and if they don’t then they should learn to enjoy it. We press our wills on others and they press their wills back on us. But where is God’s Will in it all? What does He want?
I’m going to try to find out…
WHAT DOES GOD WANT?
I’m taking the month of March off from blogging. I have used this blog as my therapy for way too long. I don’t really know if God wants me to write this blog, serve in the church that we attend (or even be in that church), eat a plant based diet, or any number of other things I try to do in life. I really have no clue WHAT GOD WANTS!
I just wanted to say to you who have always been my faithful commenters.
THANK YOU!
To keep the space in working order, I will put in a Bible verse each week and that will be all.
I’m praying for all of you to find out…
What God wants for you in your life.
And I will see what God’s will is for me going forward.
Enjoy the garden and springtime that is coming:)
“For, lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; The time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the turtle Is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grape Give a good smell.” Song of Solomon 2:11-14 KJV
Jane,
You always have such good, thought-provoking, and helpful content. You pour your heart out on the page. But I also know we have to step back sometimes in order to hear that still small voice.
I know you won’t go wrong no matter where this journey takes you because your heart is tuned to sing and write His Grace. And he orders your steps.
I look forward to reading the Scriptures He gives you.
I love you, dear friend.
Blessings!
D
Oh, Jane. I’m not sure you realize the impact you have on others being right where you are. I love hearing about your family, all the gardening you do, the books you read, and the blog posts you write where through those experiences, you make me think—even if just for a moment about my decisions in life. Look forward to hearing where you head next.
Thanks for your encouraging words, Tim. They are so appreciated. My hope is totally in the Lord, to work it all out:)
Thank you so much, Debbie, for your encouraging words. I love you, too:)
Jane, I appreciate your faithfulness to post each week. The information you provide and your perspective are valuable. I will pray that you know what God wants you to do. 🙂
Thank you, Joni. I appreciate your faithful prayers for me:)