Goo Be Gone...

Anxiety and worry!  How hard does it get to carry all that extra baggage around with us?  It is just crazy that we do that when there is no need for us to.

“Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7

Notice it does not say, “Pack your anxiety in a bag and carry it around for a few days.”  I understand the benefits of strength training, but I don’t think this is what they had in mind! As soon as an anxious thought comes into my mind I have to turn it right over to God… it should become automatic… the more I trust Him the easier it will be! 

I sometime have pictures that go through my head… if I can picture it then it helps me remember things better, so as I was thinking on the whole anxiety/worry thing here is the picture that came to me.  It is like making pancakes… when you pour the batter on the griddle the underside of the pancake starts to cook. But the topside is gooey!  I remember when I was first learning how to make pancakes, I asked my mom how you know when to turn it over.  She told me that when the gooey side starts to bubble then you know it is time to turn it over.  What a picture… when worry (goo)  starts to bubble up in my life it is the sign it is time to turn it over to God! He will handle it! He wants to handle it!  I just need to trust Him enough to handle it!

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Father, I thank You for being the One that wants to take care of every need!  I praise You for the great sacrifice You made by sending Jesus to take away my sins that I can know the freedom and the peace that comes through a relationship with Him. God, You are so good and faithful! I ask You to bless each person that reads this… let Your Word be a changing moment in their lives as it has been in mine! Giving You all the praise and honor in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rejoicing In Truth!
Carin

You are Not Called to Be a Caterpillar!

I had the opportunity to go to Frederic Meijer Garden to see the butterfly exhibit, recently.  For you that don’t know, I am fascinated and intrigued by those fluttering creatures.  As I was thinking about their transformation and how they start out with not much to offer… they crawl around on their bellies and can eat massive amounts of vegetation… it is hard to see the beauty or usefulness in those little critters.  I am sure most caterpillars could be satisfied living out their life as a caterpillar, but God has bigger things in store for them!  That caterpillar was not called to be a caterpillar!

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works,
and that my soul knows very well.” Psalms 139:14

If I am truly honest… I dislike the transformation process!  I am realizing my disdain for it has more to do with my stubbornness than it has to do with God’s work.  My selfishness, my humanness, can be satisfied, to a certain extent; just being what I am… transformation is painful!

Like the caterpillar, God lets it know when it is time to start the metamorphosis into what He has called it to… a thing of beauty… a butterfly!  I am almost positive the caterpillar does not argue with God about it or try to make a deal to be left alone… it knows that it is created for greater things! (Romans 9:20)  How about us?  Does the pain of transformation stop us from being made, slowly but surely, into God’s beautiful creature?

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”   2 Corinthians 3:18

What is God working on in your life?  Are you moving forward with an open and willing heart to His leading? Or are you refusing to get into the cocoon?  Yes, God loves every one of us as “caterpillars” but He loves us so much He cannot wait to transform us into His beautiful creature, one step at a time.  Remember… You are not called to be a caterpillar!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Rejoicing in Truth!