This morning I was on my Jesus high! I was excited by an upcoming singing opportunity coming up and I spent a great time in prayer with God over that. I have been excited revisiting the book Greater by Pastor Steven Furtick and doing the online bible study at www.melissataylor.org, it was such a great morning in the Lord!
JESUS IS IN ME!!
Then about mid morning my little world came caving in around me and I'm sitting here reflecting on the day still in "SMH" mode.
Long story short I have been employed at the same place for ten years and I'm in a ginormous funk. I sit dreaming of what I think the greater life for God would be. I'm ashamed to admit it but I have also been a complainer about my situation and my attitude has stunk like stinky roadkill (apologies for the sudden visual). However with that said recently I have really been digging into the word, reading a lot, surrounding myself with positive influences, focusing on God and praying His will be done.....Things were starting to turn around. I was becoming content with where I was at and I realize my paid job right now is my ministry and I need to allow God to walk through my feet everyday. Then Monday during the Greater conference call bible study Pastor Furtick says this:
"Sometimes greater doesn't always mean bigger. Sometimes you need to stay put when your situation seems boring or unexciting only to get greater passion for Christ". (Im sorry if I didn't get this quote exact)
SO WOW!! THis is my situation! Yes Yes Yes God I will stay put!! OK!!!
So going to work this morning I was convinced that I need to stay put and I was just going about my day trusting and relying on that thought. Well little did I realize those thoughts and my trust would be put to the test. Midmorning I was approached about a job, I was asking questions about a few days before, that I would have to go backwards in order to go forwards for. Does that make sense? My pride says I've been employed here too long to go backwards (that's not fair), my past experience and hurt says don't trust anyone you will get hurt again.
So what does a Jesus girl do?
Is God testing me on my trust?
Is there a chance that Satan could use my wishy washy attitude and make me think I don't have peace therefore making me stay put when in fact God wants me to move on?
I have prayed the 'Yes God' prayer, the use me God prayer, the 'I know you have plans for me Lord' prayer, the 'I WAS MADE FOR MORE THAN THIS' prayer!! I have gone to the bathroom(my prayer room) at work many times frustrated because I did not see my life this way at all crying out to God to change my situation and now here I am faced with a decision I am having trouble making. If today's open opportunity is God answering all my prayers I don't want to mess it up. I don't want to fail this test and circle the same mountain again for the next 40 years. I don't want my fears to overshadow the peace the Holy Spirit is trying to give me about it. The truth is that no, this isn't my dream job however I don't know who I can "minister" to. I don't know whose day I can brighten on the way to my dream job.
"The only thing standing in the way of a greater life is ME"~ this is so very very true!
John 14:12 (AMP) 12 I assure
you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will
himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things
than these, because I go to the Father.
We have the advantage of Jesus living in us if we accept Him. UMMMMM WOW!! We have the Holy Spirit in us to guide us through life how incredibly blessed we are! We can do even greater things for the glory of God because we have Him in us! DUDE!!!! So ridiculous and of course I mean COOL! I'm in awe and I don't deserve His grace but I am so thankful to receive it!
And now as I reflect on 'Sometimes greater isn't always bigger' I now realize that I have not been given a chance to be promoted at my paying job. I will not get a raise in pay, a new fancy job title, and recognition for my great work. However what if by taking a chance on a new position I brighten someone's day, what if a smile over the telephone will help someone through their frustration, or what if I bring someone with me to heaven?
That's worth more than a buck more an hour my friends...
That's worth more than gold
Love this post! It is true that Satan always comes against us in many different ways, especially when we have decided to do things God's way!
ReplyDeleteWell done Bethany. Sounds like you may have just chosen a "greater" path.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
Love
Nicki (OBS Leader)
Bethany,
ReplyDeleteWOW what a great blog. I love all the questions you posed to yourself, questions that I could be asking myself, questions I should be asking God. Thank you for such great insight and honesty.
Blessings,
Catherine
OBS Group Leader
Hi Bethany,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post. You left me with so much to think about. Also, thank you for posting the quote " sometimes greater isn't always bigger." I find myself searcher for bigger at times. This 'Greater' Bible study has really opened my eyes. I'd love to join your blog. If you wish, you may visit me at:
http://earlymorningbliss.blogspot.com