Perseverance has never been one of my strong points. I usually start well, but then lose momentum. Goals that I set seem to become unreachable, or something comes along that is more important, or I lose focus or become overwhelmed.
This is true for lots of things. Organization. Exercise. Not drinking pop. Getting up early. Reading my Bible. Quiet time.
I love reading and studying the Bible. I truly do. The more I read it, the more I want to read it. The problem is, sometimes I want to overwhelm myself by doing too much... and not doing any of it well. This was the case a couple of years ago. I was reading a book for a Online Bible study with Melissa Taylor (now P31 OBS) and also doing a couple of other online studies, and I lost focus. Stopped participating in the group. Just quit reading.
I sat out from the next study and regrouped, and when I came back I still struggled with keeping up. I have issues with prioritization... and let life step in and make me lose my focus. I'm confessing it now so y'all can say a little prayer for me, and also so that you can see that maybe you're not alone...
Because now I'm a small group leader. And we were asked to sign on for a year, and stay committed. We recognize that there may be things come up where we have to step down, but it would be after much prayer and consideration. This is my third study leading and I am loving it. All glory to Him...
But I'm tired. School just started, and that means hours of homework with my little man. I'm trying to fit in exercise. And I've lectured every single day, it seems...
And this week I really wanted a break. Not necessarily from leading, because my girls are great ladies... but I wanted a break from persevering. I wanted to NOT read, because I had so much else to do.
But I had people counting on me. And even if they are quiet, I know they are being touched, because I see it in their comments. I see it in their prayers for each other.
And then I got Melissa's message this week. #StickWithIt. Chapter 5 was just what I needed to read. Chapter 6- who doesn't need an easy button?
It's not always going to be easy. There will be times when we get tired. Times when we hit the snooze button so many times that we lose out on meeting God. (I've done that not once, but twice this week. Oh, 3 day weekend, please, please hurry!) And that's true for our entire Christian walk. There will be days when I just flat out don't feel like being patient, or loving, or kind. They'll be days when I feel like I can barely put one foot in front of the other.
The good news is that He knows. He sees. He's there, ready to pick us up. We are running this race, and even when we get tired, we are to keep pressing on... because all of this here, it's just temporary. And Heaven is going to be so worth it.
All the time in the world... just to worship Him. Nothing else on our to do list. Ahhh....
It's true that sometimes we don't feel like it. I totally understand! And yet, the blessing is there when we've persevered! I just wish I was better at holding on to that and remembering it the next time I'm just not 'feeling it!" But then, that's why having that accountability with others works so well ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe've all been there! Tired. Impatient. Exhausted. Scared. Weary. Those are the times we need Him the most! #stickwithit
ReplyDeleteI think everyone tends to lose momentum when "life" intervenes and we feel that the most important things must be done FIRST! HELLO... what we are forgetting is the most important is God's time with Him. It seems that I can put Him off, reading my bible, etc when the crazy gets going because I know He's always there....wait a minutes isn't that WHY we are supposed to always spend time with Him because we need to constantly rely on him? As you can see I definitely have to constantly prioritize my time, my LIFE to put God first. It is a constant struggle...satans struggle that he is not wanting us to "finish" to have that God time. We will overcome, God will win! Thanks for your thinking points and thanks for being an small group leader you encourage others!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments! I agree, He is THE most important thing... when we prioritize Him, everything else falls in place.
DeleteWow, you hit the head on the nail. Thank you so much for writing this, I realize I am not the only one out there that finds it difficult to complete tasks or to #stickwithit! God bless you! {{{hugs}}} You are a wonderful leader to us ladies!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being our small group leader, Lauren! You have no idea how much your encouragement and posts have been blessing me and helping spur me on through this study. I read 5 completely through and did the questions this afternoon. Tomorrow I will try to get through 6. Life does get busy but sometimes it's just that I'm not sure if I want to see what's around that corner that God has for me. I am learning to trust God though that whatever He has is for my good and that I can get through it and do it with His help. Thanks so much again for your sacrifice! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how I feel. I have taken steps to try and prioritize my time better and slow down. It works for a while but then life happens. This Bible study has really helped me to #StickWithIt and say #YesToGod. I am very thankful! I will say a prayer for you and for all of us.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless
Yes! I think you totally just wrote about me, this is so true! Do you know how many studies that I started and didn't finish before OBS? I am praying for you sweet friend! #STICKWITHIT!!!! HUGS
ReplyDeleteOh, did you just write about me!!! There are so many things I start and never finish. I have big plans and big dreams, but just like you, I try to do TOO much all at one time and it feels like it gets overwhelming. This week has been a rough one and Melissa's message came at just the right time--I think for a lot of us. You are not alone, my friend!!
ReplyDeleteKris Danko