This post stems from some thoughts and experiences I have had this week from spending time with the boys, speaking with my mentor on Friday, and just now coming back from receiving His message this morning at church.
The past two weeks the sermon series I have been involved with revolves around the theme of being "Overwhelmed". How at this time of year people become so "overwhelmed" in their lives: financial burdens, relationship issues, family issues, work issues, time constraints on daily life. All these things plus many more just creating insane amounts of stress on our lives, and the one thing we reach out for is peace. Peace of the mind and peace of heart. That is why this time of year church attendance always seems to increase, because people look for that peace during this time of year to help bring a "calm" over the holidays. After listening to the sermon this morning, the message was clear, "we need to have a constant connection to the Source." Too easily we find our selves as people losing that connection. We live "around the source", we know of it, we know the power it holds, but rarely do we find ourselves "plugged in". The speaker said however there is a solution to this problem, and it comes from the Apostle Paul. Paul went through many trials and tribulations through his time as an Apostle, but even through it all Paul has the answer we all need. Paul writes in Philippians, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in and and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4: 11-13). The answer is written right there, find strength in Christ and through Him all things can be accomplished. The only way we can find strength in Christ however is establishing the connection, getting "plugged in" to the Source, and then maintaining that connection in our lives daily. We need to open up the communication lines to Christ through our prayers, and then keep these lines open trusting in God to transform our lives.
Communication. Communication is how we learn to understand ourselves and those around us. We send out our own personal signals (both verbal and nonverbal) to garner a response to the signaled party. Examples of this are such as a babies cry to signal his or her parents that they need to change the diaper, or prep a bottle, or that the baby is tired and needs sleep. A teacher using not only visual queues but audio as well to teach his or her students the lesson of the day. The holding of hands or showing affection to a loved one These all reflect some of the forms of communication in our lives. However sometimes there are breakdowns in these lines, or mixed signals are transmitted and not received in the proper form. With the things I have been reading, and speaking with my mentor, I am starting to realize that my ability to communicate was not at the level I thought it needed to be. I was transmitting my thoughts and opinions, but I was not transmitting them correctly. Imagine a piece of lined paper, those line across the page representing the lines of communication you have in your life. Now, every time you hold something in or back, slowly tear the page breaking the first line. That's one severed connection. Now think of a time you said something that was not encouraging or could have been taken differently than what you wanted to imply, tear the next couple lines. Every time there is a breakdown, those lines get torn until simply all you have left are two halves of a page. Desperately you hold onto those two halves trying to make the page whole again, but its not the same. You used tape to bring the two halves together, still not the same. What do you need to do for new lines of communication? You start with a new page.
This is a new page, new connection lines across it. Now imagine that new page being laminated. Those connection lines are now secure and that page has been strengthened, Through Christ is how we can secure those connection lines, fortify ourselves in His word and strengthen ourselves as believers. In my life and learning to do things through Him, I am learning how to strengthen myself by staying plugged in and communicating with God. Praying daily, reading daily, holding myself accountable to knowing and understanding His word. Eliminating the distractions in my life that were causing breakdowns of communication between loved ones and from God. Surrounding myself with men who are resolute in their faith, and will nurture me in my path. Men who who know how to uplift the spirit, encourage me, things that I am starting to do myself with others. This feeling of strength, and praise, and encouragement is something I have not truly experienced before, and its helping me transform my life, it is helping me use the strength of the Lord to guide my life. These men I hold myself accountable to know what it is I am going through, and in fact some are going through the same thing as well, but they urge me forward through His example. They are giving me more tools (sermons, scripture references, books) that I am using to continue on this path. This feeling right now that I have within me, is simply amazing and I know that through Him I can accomplish great things.
How do I know this, how do I know that I am on the right path? It came last night when I was with the boys. As I was painting with Zeke, and playing games with Caleb, Caleb said to me "I was hoping this week would pass by fast so we could hang out." That right there. That is the reason I fight the forces that are trying to keep me from changing. Caleb. Zeke, Emily. My family. They are why I fight, and it is only through Him that I can find the strength to fight. Evil will never stop, and neither will I.
Lastly, I will end this with something from the speaker today ending the sermon series on "Overwhelmed." He said in closing, "instead of a New Year's Resolution, do a New Life Revolution.." And so I am, my life revolutionized through Him. Make it a good week....
"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13: 11.
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