.png)
Morning thoughts. It's 5 am and the world is still sleeping. Or at least mine is. Nobody is asking me for help or telling me what they need. The roosters aren't crowing, the hens are still tucked away for the night. The piglets are all snuggled up in the hay and even the dogs are dreaming.
But here I am, awake and listening to the coffee pot sing it's morning song. Preparing for a day of busyness and people and opportunities to show Gods love.
In all the beauty that could be today I still hold a heaviness and a weight that I just can't seem to shake these days.
I love this life that I'm working so hard to build. I love the connections it's given me in relationships and the community of like minded people it's surrounding me with.
I love it so much that I'm almost fearful of it getting tainted...damaged, unappreciated or even worse unrecognized by the world.
I am passionate about the why behind this story. I am passionate about the benefits of leaning into a life much closer to the source. I am passionate about the beauty and the goodness and the wholeness that comes from stepping away from the crowd, choosing to do the opposite of the masses...living life on purpose.
The thing with passion is that it can sometimes open the door for the Enemy to come in and do what he does best...taint it...kill, steal and destroy. Especially when with every single step you make you are trying to do it in a place of thanks and gratitude for a Father that provided the way...but even more so when everything you are doing you want to try to use to glorify God.
I have been in this battle quite heavily. Allowing the frustration of others actions to creep in and have a seat at the table. Allowing fear to motivate my choices and decisions. Allowing anger to set the temperature of the day.
You see the enemy isn't just loud and proud, he also uses that still small whisper. He also uses the quiet nudging. He however is just using those to stoke the flame to create the fire.
But God.
I have a Father that also whispers and nudges. But it's not to stoke the flame to create the fire. It's to remind me that he has already gone before me, he's already there. Ahead of me. Making the way. Just as he has done in everything before.
You see, even in the quiet sleepiness of this morning, I am not alone. He woke me up and reminded me to read the verses that a dear sweet friend sent me this week. He woke me up and made sure He was the foremost thought of my day. That he set the temperature and was the motivation.
So this morning as I read and prayed and processed these words below I felt an urge to share them with you.
The world is a mess. Things are happening at a faster pace than ever before. Systems are broken, people are broken and if you are a follower of Jesus and you have studied much of your Bible at all...you already knew all of this. But even more so you already know what's coming and what's ahead. None of what is going on is a surprise. None of it should be a shock. I urge you to hold on to the peace that is God breathed.
The battle is won. The victory is His.
Stay prayerful. Share the gospel with those you love. Encourage and love one another. And most importantly remember...
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:6-9 NIV
May the soil be fertile, the harvest be bountiful and the farmer never grow weary.
Amanda
Commentaires