(traffic really wasn't that awful) God is good. We're all home now...the few days went by so quickly! But, I'm happy to be home. Back to some routine, tying up loose ends, and spending time with friendz before school starts in October, woohoo!
Such a beautiful weekend up east ~ new states, new people...didn't know a step out of my 'comfort zone' would end up feeling so comfortable! I was seriously received so warmly everywhere I went...I didn't expect to be able to open up/share freely with so many people! (ok, by "so many" I guess it was really a handful, but still.) And for as busy as I was, by Saturday night I was ready to bust (in a good way) with all that God was pouring into me. (yikes & glory to God!)
*verses that stuck with me through the weekend* (no really - abiding & quoting all day long...it was/IS glorious!!) 2 Corinthians 9:6-8~
6The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency (contentment) in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
I had all the grace I could ever hope to have! Anything was possible! (btw - this is also present tense truth, not just a one time episode) Thankful for the reminder of why I went up north in the first place - to give cheerfully & wholeheartedly!
So freeing for me, yet also heartbreaking to see others become stressed/discouraged/speaking death, because they're unaware of the sufficiency our Savior offers. ah, Father - awaken us to Your abundant love and power!
And now that I re-read that verse, it leads me to something else I've been wrestling through: bashfulness vs. meekness. (is there a difference between the 2?)
~bashful:
1. uncomfortably diffident and easily embarrassed; shy; timid.
2. indicative of, accompanied by, or proceeding from bashfulness.
3. reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy~meek:
1. humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
2. overly submissive or compliant; spiritless; tame.
3. quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on
3. quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on
12 But I will leave within you
the meek and humble,
who trust in the name of the LORD.
13 The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid." (Zephaniah 3)
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5)
(I couldn't find "bashful" in the Bible...and by "I" I of course mean Biblegateway.)
hm....could be synonyms? Except meekness is a form of gentleness (which is a fruit of the Spirit)...maybe the worldly part of being bashful comes from the "reluctancy"? (sounds rather lukewarm to me...and dangerously close to walking in fear.) But I don't think meek people are uncomfortable like bashful people are; I think sincere meekness has to stem from humility, working to be secure with your calm demeanor. (I would honestly love some feedback on this point - am I cherry picking verses to justify my own behavior, or am I a coward?) I want to be that "meek and humble" person who trusts in the Name of the Lord.
also~
Is silence a bad thing? Like, is it ok to sit next to someone and not be chattering the whole time? I don't know, sometimes I'm just content to be. Like, you're just so grateful to even be there, that you don't want to spoil it. You know? Like, I don't want whatever I "have to add" to ruin something.
((But He says, Cease striving and know that I Am God.))
*ohhhh, my Lord - I want to know You...
I want to "make the most of every opportunity" (Col 4:5) but I wonder if I'm doing a sufficient job? I want to receive correction in this area if it's needed, but I also cannot get stuck on past events that I can't change. (Learn something and move forward...not sticking around to wallow in regrets.)
12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3)
I was so encouraged by Him this morning ~ "Emily, your path may be curved, narrow and upward - but it is also level and lighted, that you may RUN after Me. Take heart and praise Me still, because I Am all around you."
=)
((do you ever just take the time to listen and realize how in love God is with you??))
I hope you're encouraged, my friends...press forward! He is worth it!
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