last night i was having dinner with a wonderful friend of mine, and she asked “so what is God up to in your life?” my reply was simply “i’m not exactly sure”…which implies that i am not aware of what He’s up to…but i mean it more in a way of He’s up to something, i just don’t know what it is. but as i reflected on her question i learned a few things that He’s doing right now.
first. He has removed some relationships from my life that have been or could potentially be stumbling blocks. He’s also graciously done this pretty painlessly. it’s not that there has been any big blow up or anything in them, we’ve just gotten too busy, or live too far apart, or something. this is a big deal because when i see relationships changing i go into protection mode and normally try to over compensate for fear of losing people. He’s teaching me right now that creating a wider distance between people doesn’t mean you can’t still love them and enjoy time spent with them when it is possible, these relationships just don’t need to take quite as high a place in my life.
He has also filled places in my life with new, wonderful, Godly friendships with people in the same place in life as me which is also a big deal.
second. He’s teaching me to learn the lesson before the test comes. what i mean is He’s saying, “Hey the stove is hot” and i say oh ok i wont touch it then, instead of “hey the stove is hot” and i say “is it? i’m just going to touch it and see” (to my writer friends…sorry for the horrible use of punctuation there…)
i feel like lately there have been dozens of lessons He’s taught me by watching other people’s interactions with one another. for example, the other day i witnessed a conversation between two friends and one was saying “you never hang out with me/talk to me etc…” and the second was saying” i’m just busy…we talk…just not as much as you’d like. don’t take it personally, i still love you…” i really felt for the 2nd person. i know in my life it’s just hard to talk to people that i don’t see everyday in my regular goings-on. it’s not personal, it’s just hard. sometimes though i take it too personally and i realized when watching that conversation that He’s really changed ME there to not get so hurt or afraid because i haven’t talked to someone in awhile.
He’s also taught me lessons on showing love and grace in hard situations, about confrontation, healthy relationships, responsibility, faith…
third. i feel like He’s preparing me. for what i’m not sure (hence the “i dunno” answer to my friends question). all these lessons, coupled with so much anticipation for something to come as well as what i feel like is a season of particularly strong attack from the enemy. he’s in my thoughts, dreams even…ick! i hate that guy! i feel like i’m distinctly hearing the things he’s planting in my thoughts and seeing the temptations he’s putting in my path and feeling all the gross feelings he tries to bring us down with…
but i also feel a very strong word from the Lord to fight. He has reminded me why it’s so important to know His Word (ps 119:11)and to be prepared at all times . i’m so grateful in this time for the preparation of His word that He’s given me up to this point. i’m grateful for the scripture He’s written on my heart because what i know readily comes to mind when it’s needed. the Word is truly alive (heb 4:12) and it’s like i feel it zoom to the rescue when satan is throwing a dart at me. it’s really so cool!
lastly, in the bible study we’ve just finished (duty or delight by tammie head) she wrote “we do not fight FOR victory…we fight FROM victory”. Jesus has already won the battle. satan’s attacks won’t win because Christ sits victoriously now.
it’s a daily reminder to put on the full armor of God (eph 6) and to fight with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (eph 6:17) and to pray in the Spirit at all times.
Know His Word…it is truth—not the stuff satan tries to put in your mind…fight with scripture—ask if your negative thoughts about yourself or the temptation you’re facing comes from the Lord…if it’s not…combat that negative, wrong thought with the TRUTH of scripture.
and finally…take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. don’t let the temptations, the self-loathing thoughts, the things that are not of the Lord, snowball in your life. stop them before they start…you can overcome your thoughts.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 cor 10:5
Lord thank you for preparing and protecting me with Your Word. Open my eyes that i might see well during this season where You are at work. give me the hunger for your Word that will sustain me and let me prepare well to run the race.
To your second and third paragraph, amen! This year, God has moved me from relationships that weren’t conducive to my growing closer to Him. I still have those friendships, just like you said, but they are different — and in a good. And yes, He is replacing those friendships with ones that help me to grow in Him and His word. You, my dear, are one of those. Thank you for these words of encouragement!