Shine because He said to!

A day is never wasted when God is orchestrating it, so I would be remiss if I didn't type a blog that He apparently has been writing all day. In this day we live in and with the lives we all lead, I would bet I'm not the only one who needs to hear this every now and then.

Colossians 3:23 was spoke to my Spirit yesterday, and I had an idea then where He was headed with it. It's still a lesson I have yet to fully grasp, but oh He is so patient. Today was another day of learning in preparation for the test. The verse says Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Anyone else thinking ouch? If not, read it again ;-)

Honesty check, the time from Spring Break to summer break is the most stressful, craziest time for me at work. This year the stress has been multiplied and just being real for a minute...today I could see the storm brewing inside of me. I was ready for Jesus to wake up, calm the storm, and let me go to sleep on the inside with Him. Sometimes though, He needs to calm us to show us we will make it to the other side, storm and all. He knows me, He knows what I can handle, but some days He believes in me a lot more than I believe in myself. Some days flesh speaks the loudest, but if we will get still that still small whisper can be the most calming thing ever. The tears came and I just had to smile. Sometimes I think we have to go through certain storms just for God to remind us what He can do through us because the enemy would love for us to think otherwise. I thought to myself more than once today why can't I just half way do things, why do I care so much(usually those questions come when we compare ourselves to others)....that's when He reminded me of that verse again. It's about what He says, not anyone else. He is the One we need to seek to please with our schedules, our time, our words, our deeds, our lives, our all. When we lay our head on our pillows at night, regardless of what a mess the day may look like, we can rest when we know we gave it our all and did what He asked.

God is looking for us to shine not because anyone asked us to, but because it is the right thing to do. Too often society(including Christians) have sought to do what is "right" simply because someone else was looking or for the applause/pat on the back. It's time we do what we should simple because He said to. This is a HARD lesson and I am not there yet, but I am not where I used to be ;-). This is one of those journeys that take time and patience. God knows we will not always be able to run it. Some days we will have to walk, some days crawl, and others He may need to pick us up and carry us. He knows the world is mean and self-seeking. This is a journey that takes time, dying to flesh is never easy.

So whether your Monday was a calm one or your Monday was stormy, God is in charge of the week ahead of you. He knows what each day holds, trust Him. Some days He'll calm the storm, but if chooses to calm you instead know that you are going across to the other side with Him. It may feel rough at times, but He can see the other side, He just needs us to trust Him.

Shine because He said to! Not because the world is looking to polish  your star, but because you are plugged into the One who never has a power outage. Don't let anyone dull your star or pull the plug on what God called you to and made you to do. Not sure who this part is for, but You do make a difference! No one can do what you do and play the part that you play. He sees each thing you do, and He is giving you a standing ovation. You can't always hear the applause, but if you listen really close, you can feel it when He says I love you.

Until next time,
~Melissa