What in the World Wednesday: A Personal Moment

Over the past month or so I've been "running the race that has been set before" me. Oh how I enjoy being in God's word and sharing practical insights from it. Your Life by Design is born. I'm happy, right? Sure I am. Free, excited, motivated, passionate and even careful are some words that quickly come to mind to describe how I felt and still feel. Yes, I'm running on to see what the end is going to be. Great! Now how's that working for ya? Well, It's working kinda good, but, something is off. And when things go off I go into attack mode trying to figure it out, but I can't put my finger on it. Questions and intrusive thoughts come. Then it happens ... (duh, duh, duuuuuh!)

I go into prayer and it feels like words are just bouncing around like the thoughts in my mind. What in the world!!!! I stop and get quiet. Tears begin to run down my face. Yes, He's here and I'm in awe of His presence. As I stand with arms out I imagine myself standing in the rain on a summer day.  Yeah, that's the place ... that place where you are just drenched. 'Rain on me and reign in me' are thoughts that come to mind. He speaks and oh the joy that floods my soul! Wow! I look and time is of the essence. I have a broadcast that airs in .... the countdown begins.

The broadcast notes are edited and though time is short I don't feel hurried or worried. The show airs and I'm so blessed (hopefully those who hear are and will be also.) Show is over and here we go again. What in the World! Now listen, I started out saying that I'm running this race, seeing what the end is going to be, motivated right? Yeah. As the day goes on that something is still nagging me, tugging at me even, and I still can't seem to get a handle on it. It's late, I'm wore out ... to bed I go.

I'm awaken early Wednesday morning (this morning), around 4 a.m. There it goes again. 'Ok, Lord, what is this?' I find my secret place. I push and press to get in because my thoughts and other distractions are swirling in my head like a new formed funnel as a tornado or hurricane is about to form. Oh yeah, it's about to be fierce! The dark clouds are forming. My early morning walks are perfect for this. If anyone had seen me I'm sure I looked crazy (cray-cray). But in the midst of the craziness, in the eye of the storm He speaks, "It begins with Me and ends with Me." This is what He had said to me at the birthing of Your Life by Design broadcast weeks ago. Wow, there I go ... and there is my What in the World Wednesday moment. Humbly and shamefully I realize I was getting in the way.

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12; 16:12)

In all of my excitement and in all the planning, stalling, and planning some more I did what I said I didn't want to do. I was doing too much too fast and my mind and body was becoming overwhelmed.

Oh wretched (wo)man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death? (Romans 7:24)

Jesus! That's who! He brought me back to the beginning .. HIMSELF, "It begins and it ends with Me." He tugged and pulled at me by His Spirit reminding me that it is in Him that I move and have my being. It's Him that seeded and planted the skills, gifts and abilities that I have. It is HIM that has a purpose for me and all that I do. All things begin and end in HIM.

• In the beginning was the Word and the word was with God and the word was God. (John1:1)
• I am the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end. (Revelations 1:8; 22:23)
• In Him do I live, move and have my being ... (Acts 17:28)

So as I sit and pen these words I'm encouraged that peace reigns because I serve the Prince of Peace. I'm encouraged because during this Christmas season I encounter the One who is called Wonderful, Counselor, a ... no my Mighty God. So it's back to the beginning moving; forward knowing that the peace of God which surpasses my understanding shall keep my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. That is if/when my mind is stayed on HIM.

Peace is yours as well. When the dark clouds come and they will, work your way into the midst of the storm where Jesus is. It is there, in your secret place that seems so dysfunctional and stormy to others that God will speak peace. Just don't return to "folly", that place where God delivered you from. You will find yourself in a really jacked up place and it'll be worse than the last. Be encouraged for God's grace is sufficient for you. (Psalm 85:8, 9; 2 Corinthians 12:9)

#siftingfortheshifting #YourlifebyHISdesign