I'm speaking of the times and places we've allowed our care of ourselves to run amuck:
Too busy? Relationships suffer.
Too self-indulgent? Bodies suffer.
Too proud? God and I as a team suffer.
Too hard on myself? Jesus and I as a team suffer.
Too procrastinating? The Holy Spirit and I as a team suffer.I am a recovering:
Workaholic: it is sometimes easier for me to work than to interact.
Chocoholic: I used to eat a pound bag of M&M's at one sitting.
Mortally shy one: I always thought people were looking at me (form of pride).
Self-incriminator: I remember when perfection of self was my goal.
Procrastinator: To this day, I have pockets of my life that suffer from this.Age is funny. Now at 60, I have this curious ability to live in overview yet still set goals for each day.
Someone pointed out to me in my thirties that the Bible says pray for wisdom. Oh, where were those words in my teens? I may be Johnny-come-lately in this but I got right on it. And what a difference it has made.
Praying for wisdom gave me my most important life Teammates.
God and I work on understanding that all of me belongs to Him. He can run my life far better than I. My work is to submit and work together with Him.
Jesus and I work on confidence and loving who I am. His tenderness and love keep me grounded yet courageous enough to live out my gifts.
The Holy Spirit and I work daily on where I procrastinate. His Voice moves me to dismantle each pocket of my life where I allow sludge of postponement to accumulate.My Teammates and I face myself daily. They are Goodness Incarnate, and Their firmness enveloped in love and kindness help me find no as the better yes in any and every situation and relationship.
My life is extraordinary when I let Them cheer me on. I find the exhilaration They promise as years of submitting to Their Leadership accrue.
For all the times no has been the better yes, I give thanks to my Teammates for leading me into each arena.
I hope you are finding your Teammates: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
That yes will help you find each right no to everything that would lead you astray.
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
