Take a step back
The bigger picture
I just love the image I've added above, anyone else may wonder why or/and you'll have your own interpretations. But as I go on hopefully it'll make sense to why I chose it.
Over the past few months God has slowly been bringing to my attention what I'm too write about in this next blog, I tried to have a go before but couldn't get any where, until today when it hit me. I suppose I had to wait for the right moment. Like most things in life, as God reveals things and if we rush into it without knowing it all it may not work out as it should. God's timing is perfect. Well here goes.
Today I was sat in McDonald's watching my children play and waiting for my husband to get the food. I was thinking about the conversations I had at church with various people, the questions I got asked and people wishing all the best for my operation Tuesday. A wonderful sister in christ and friend said to me with pure joy and amazement of how much people pray for me, how many people are praying for me, and how much I am loved. Which at the time I just smiled, but praise God I really am blessed. It took sitting in McDonald's and theoretically speaking 'taking a step back' and viewing the bigger picture for me to realise I do have a lot of people backing me up with prayer, love and support. Despite what isn't going on, the challenges, trials, opportunities the people around me in the church and the community have or are truly blessing myself and my family. And without them, things may not have been as smooth as they have been. No job is too small or insignificant or too big but each and every little help we've received from when this job first started to now has been and still is indescribable. The Bible talks about getting along side our brothers and sisters and when they mourn we mourn with them and when they rejoice we rejoice. We are to help each other regardless of the cost as God is our provider and he makes a way where there is no way. I remember a particular time my mom invite myself and a lady from church out for a cup of tea or coffee and she didn't have much money but she knew it was what God wanted her to do. So, as we were heading towards the cafe in the supermarket, what is it we should find, right on the floor. A £10 note. Hallelujah. Which was not only enough for a drink each but some food as well. God will provide.
Our problem is, worry sneaks its hands into our lives, and in some cases takes over and controls our next move. In extreme cases paralyses some people. Let's see what the Bible says about worry...
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
When Matthew 6 first stood out to me I told a friend about it and he called it 'the bird way of life' that stuck with me even to this day and will probably till the end of my time. Birds are care free, they fly around finding sticks to build a nest, food to eat and whatever else a bird does yet God provides for them. God cares for such a thing as a bird and Matthew 6 says how much more will he provide for us. Do not worry about tomorrow, what we shall wear or eat etc. For God has a plan. I remember a specific time in a church I attended as a teenager, I had a lot on my mind that made me worry. I felt a need to look out the window and there in my line of view was a bird. It stayed in that spot for a while and I just felt God encouraging me that everything was going to be OK. Immediately the worry left and I was able to sing praises with the rest of the church. The enemy loves nothing more than to cause you to live a life of anxiety and fear. He can't stand to see you praising God regardless of your circumstances.
So many things in our lives can cause us to take our focus off Jesus, even the actions of fellow Christians can cause hurt and bitterness. One particular time I was so confused and angry with the actions of a couple that I allowed it to distract me and take over my thoughts and feelings. It wasn't till I arrived at playgroup to help my husband set up, and the song he had playing shot like at arrow straight to my heart and melted those feelings away. I felt the Lord saying to me "don't forget the basics" the Bible records the words of Jesus as he says the two greatest commands are to love God and to love others. It doesn't say to take on the world on your own shoulders and be burdened to high heaven. We are to love and trust God will sort everything out for the good of those that love him. And also to love others as we love ourselves. Some may say but I don't love myself. But we miss what love is. We feed ourselves, we clothe ourselves, we wash ourselves. We take care of our needs. That's what God asks us to do for others, to take care of them and help them to the best of our ability not worrying about whether or not we can or can't. That the Bible says to trust God will provide. Even when we get it wrong and we mis-heard God, he always makes sure we aren't without. I remember times we did something or bought something and it turned out to be wrong in some way or another, off the top of my head I can not remember the reason why, but God provided and made sure we weren't at a loss financially or provided in a way of replacing the item with the correct one. I'm not saying at the time it wasn't scary and worrying. The Bible says trials will come our way but learning to trust God is the best thing you could do. It was the best thing I ever learnt. When someone asks how did I get to this stage, I'm brought to a stand still, I generally don't know. Other than the answer is God. I asked him to help me trust him and he did. He waits for us to ask him and invite him into our lives, our circumstances, he will never force himself on us. So if worry is taking over in your life, and fear is bothering you. Just ask the father to help, and as time goes on you will look back and notice how he has helped you in your request. Be blessed.
The conclusion of the picture is life rushed can leave things blurry, but as we take our step back and stop to view what blessings are truly in our lives helping get through that circle is what brings it all into focus.
Let's pray.
Father I thank you for your patience in our lives, and your love for us, regardless to what we've done. Lord help us to learn to trust you in the way the Bible says we should trust you. Help us dear Lord to love those around us regardless to whether they deserve it or not. Forgive me/us for my lack of faith, love and trust in you. Help me improve in these areas as I draw closer to you. Help me step back from time to time and realise how truly blessed I am regardless to my circumstances. In jesus name amen
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