In-between

From Little Bird Soul

Maybe this is exactly where you're supposed to be - in the not knowing. The waxing and waning. The in-between. Not quite where you were but not yet certain of where you're going. Maybe the discomfort you're feeling is purposeful - a gentle reminder that you're not meant to remain in this space. That there is 

something truer and deeper out there for you. That there is more. And instead of fighting the discomfort, you can breathe into it and listen to what it's telling you. And maybe it isn't about forcing the next step to appear. Maybe it's about allowing it to reveal itself at the right time - by surrendering, breathing, being. Maybe your only job right now is to reach for the things that bring you joy and peace in this present moment - to sink deeper into gratitude even through the uncertainty. To remember that even here, in the in-between, there is a life to be lived. There is beauty to be appreciated and connections to be cultivated and love to be felt. And maybe right now you don't need to do anything. Maybe you just need to be. To be faithful. To be open-hearted. To be trusting. To be present. To be here. 

~zanna keithly

Imagined endings

Lord, please calm the part of me that is always expecting something to go wrong. 

Psalm 27:14/James 1:2-4

Lord, sometimes even when life is quiet, my mind is preparing for another

storm. When something good happens, I wonder how long it will last. When

someone loves me, I become afraid they will leave. When things finally feel

stable, part of me starts searching for what could go wrong next. I have spent

so much time protecting myself from further disappointment that sometimes I do not

know how to receive peace without questioning it. You know every experience

that taught my heart to stay guarded. You know why I overthink, why I

prepare for the worst, and why uncertainty can make me feel unsafe. Lord, I

do not want fear to steal today's peace because of something that may never

happen tomorrow.

Teach me to live where my feet are instead of constantly living inside

imagined endings. When fear tells me something terrible is coming, bring me

back to what is true. When my thoughts become louder  than my faith, remind

me that I do not have to believe every frightening possibility my mind creates.

Give me wisdom to prepare for what is reasonable and faith to release what is

beyond my control. I cannot guarantee that life will never hurt again, but I

also do not want fear of future pain to keep me from receiving today's joy.

Lord, teach my heart that I do not have to be afraid of losing every beautiful

thing just because I have lost something beautiful before. Amen.

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Put it on

 Someone told me years ago, so I'll tell you:

The closer to God you become

the more the Devil sends his demons

to destroy you.

It's very important you don't listen.

The armor of God is real

put it on

Don't need now

"God has promised 

to supply our needs.

What we don't have

now we don't need now."

~Elisabeth Elliot

Wear out

Proverbs 23:4-5

Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

NIV:

Do not wear yourself out to get rich;

do not trust your own cleverness.

Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,

for they will surely sprout wings

and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Obedience is heavy

From Final Hour Faith

Obedience is heavy because glory has weight.

We often want the presence of God, the favor of

God, the calling of God, and the responsibility that

comes with being used by God. But we forget that

carrying something holy will cost something.

Obedience will press against your comfort, your

preferences, your timing, your pride, and 

sometimes your relationships.

In Scripture, glory is often connected with weight.

God's presence is not light in the sense of being

casual or insignificant. It carries substance. And

when God entrusts something to you, the

obedience required to carry it can feel heavy

because responsibility is heavy.

Noah had to build before there was rain. Abraham

had to leave before he knew where he was going.

Moses had to stand before Pharoah. Jesus

Himself said, "Not my will, but thine, be done."

Real obedience is not always exciting. Sometimes

it feels lonely. Sometimes it costs you what you

thought you needed. Sometimes it requires you to

keep moving while everyone around you

misunderstands what God is doing in your life.

But the weight is not meaningless.

There are things God will only trust to a man who

has learned how to carry obedience when it is

inconvenient.

If the assignment feels heavy, it does not

automatically mean you are outside of God's will.

Sometimes it is heavy because it carries glory.

(Side note: gives new meaning to the phrase "weight of glory")

Obedience is heavy, because it carries glory

Wasn't afraid

 And she stopped asking,
"When will this season end?"

She started asking, 

"Lord, stay close while I'm here."

And suddenly...

She wasn't afraid anymore.