Just Another Manic Monday…
So obviously this isn’t Monday but I ran across this post while looking for something else and quickly realized what a sentimental time capsule it was for me. It is originally dated March of 2007. {I only began blogging the month before.} God had been speaking intensely to me for a few months about not being afraid to do something a little bit bigger for Him (though I had no clue what that would look like) and I was answering, “I can’t.. I can’t.. I’m not enough!” He was also pressing me to sit still and focus – unfortunately, He’s still having to reinforce that message. However, what touched me the most were the comments. It’s especially funny to see Patty say….”I’ve been here twice now..” Patty, who knew? lol
So anyway, I don’t think it’s any accident I ran across this today so hopefully you’ll enjoy a repost :)
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In my continued study of Moses I am reminded of the God’s gracious enforcement of quiet and solitude in this man’s life. Though I am certain it did not feel like an act of blessing at the time, peace and rest are necessary in order for our spiritual house to be built. I will be experiencing an enforcement of stillness tomorrow. My vehicle will be in the shop and I am already breaking out in hives.
Have you ever seen those ocean documentaries that show fish whose bodies are designed to live at a certain depth? Let them go deeper and they’ll implode or come up to close to the surface and they will explode? Fascinating. I think I am like one of those fish – designed for a certain amount of activity or something is going to blow.
My prayers as of late have been centered around asking God to show me what activities I am currently engaged in that ‘exceed the call’. Because I believe so strongly He has given me a ministry to women, I understand it is time to begin saying ‘no’ in areas that fall outside those boundaries. The letters N – O are like the Q and X of my alphabet….much needed but seldom used. However, God is making it clear to me now is the time to develop a single-minded focus on eternal things. I think it best to willingly hand Him my days in hopes of avoiding His Enforcing Hand on the matter.
I must make it abundantly clear that just because I feel this urgency to make these changes does not mean I expect a life of leisure. May I share with you when I feel my rest will be ordained? Follow me to Deuteronomy 3 for the explanation.
In this chapter, Moses is recounting the distribution of land to the Israelite tribes. He tells the men of the tribes who are given land in the east bank their families can settle, but they must fight with their brothers until they are at rest. It is only then they will be free to go home and rest themselves. Hear Deut. 3:19, “But your wives and your little ones and your livestock (I know you have much livestock) shall remain in your cities which I have given you, until the Lord gives rest to your fellow countrymen as to you, and they also possess the land which the Lord your God will give them beyond the Jordan. Then you may return every man to his possession which I have given you.”
My heart’s desire is for all of us to possess the land – spiritually speaking of course. To experience the peace and rest and abundance of God Almighty. A place we can live unhindered, unashamed, unbound with our faces ever towards the sky. Will you hear my heart and believe me when I say that God has placed such a heavy burden on my heart for you? I will not rest until you do. If I can cross the river with you, fight alongside you in your battles, and help you settle in…Wow. What more could a girl ask for in life? I can’t enjoy mine until you are enjoying yours. This same passion is for my family as well. Short of heaven, they deserve haven. I pray I’m giving that to them.
It is on my heart today to let you know how I dearly love all of you – whether you be family, old friend, or new to the sistahood…Thank you for giving me courage…I hope to give it back.
Blessings on you, my sisters!
Wow, Lisa, what a great post. You are always such an encouragement and I look forward to reading what snippets of wisdom you are serving up for the day!
…while I’m posting on being the winner of the Biggest Loser Mom…
I digress.
Lisa, your post is just an echo of what God has been instilling into my heart lately. Thank you for being an instrument of His will. Love you! Janis
Oh my, you scared me there for a minute! There are so many of my favorite bloggers that are “stepping back” and “putting their blogs away” for awhile…I was afraid you were leaving me! However, another great post…so long as you’re not leaving!
By the way…I’m still waiting to hear the story of that missing bowl…what was it for…potato salad? Now, I’m going to have to go back and check my details! But I AM still waiting!
Wow…I just blogged about this…of course, I naturally took a more lighthearted view…but I love your take on a very serious problem for women today…we are burning out, and we must find that place of haven you talk about…sometimes I worry that I’m trying to take the land for everyone in my life…but me.
Hi Lisa,
This is my second time visiting… I love what you write and I like your new look too!
The Lord has been showing me as well, about solitude and quiet. I actually put a post on Saturdays blog about it. A short version, but I would like to write more about it because I think it is so needed in women’s lives today. Mine included!
It took me years to come to this place in life. I served in Women’s ministry for 25 years and I loved it! But I tried to do it all and it took it’s toll on me. I had to learn to say NO…and that wasn’t easy.
Posessing the Land… That too is something God has been working in me. I have kept a journal the last two years called, Posessing the Land. In it, I write about three areas I am working on to posses the land.
I’ll look forward to reading more of your thoughts!
It encouraged me today to read your posts…
Blessings, Pattty
I loved this… and what strikes me as I read the expression of your heart a year and a half ago, is that you were obedient to say NO to some things so you could say YES to some things, and you became free to be used by God to do exactly what you desired He would do through you. (LOOOOONNNNNGGGG sentence!)
Obedience is such a blessing to God, and to us! Thank you for being obedient and for being available to serve the Lord in the areas He has given you. He has made a difference in the lives of women (especially ministry wives) because you were obedient.
What a Word.. and one that I needed to hear today! I have been hearing from God about something He wants me to do, but He hasn’t told me what this is yet. I am just trying to sit still and be obedient. I watched the first 2 sessions of Beth Moores Esther study last night. Powerful. Anointed. I couldn’t sleep afterward – the Lord kept me awake almost all night and gave me just a few words this morning. Now I am just waiting for more. I am so glad I found this site. We Pastor’s wives need each other. Thanks for your obedience to Him.
In the Grip of His Grace,
Beth Herring
I am also a pastorswive. I am a Blind pastorswive.
Lisa,
this is reminding me of the Beth Moore event in San Antonio when she spoke on Inheiritance. You know, I’ve been facing this for about 4 months now. I’m in ladies ministry as well, new to this, and I’ve been spending a lot of time with God, and he’s showing me areas that I’ve had to let go of. Not bad things, but things that would get in the way. This really speaks to me today. Thanks for sharing it.
What a wonderful post. I too have been having to remind myself that there is already a ‘collection’ of good works which God prepared beforehand for me to walk in (Ephesians 2:10) and that I don’t have the time to go experimenting with other things I’m merely curious about and would like to test my ability to achieve at. Especially since I have a very good idea of what God has called me to do…
Another blog I should have been reading for awhile now!! I’ve added you to my blogroll so I can try to keep up!
Now seeing my name in the beginning of this post cracked me up because I thought, what did I say or do. lol
The verse that you referenced has been a verse God gave me long ago. One that I have taken to heart. I, like you feel the burden for my fellow sisters in Christ. To pray for them and help them. Come along side of them and fight with them. I have been in women’s ministry for many years. Only God could place a love in our hearts like this and only God could allow us to meet fact to face and form bonds of sisterhood! Typing this makes me miss you even more. :) You are so special and I thank you for your ministry to all of us. May God pour it back on you 1,000 fold sister!!
I am watching and excited at the things God is leading you to do. If you can stand in front of a bunch of Siestas and emcee in your jammies, then girl you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
Much love,
Patty
Great word for today as well as yesterday.
Thanks for reposting.
And if I do say so myself… you do have a great ministry to women. Thanks.
and I SO love the analogies the LORD gives to you. My kind of teaching.
Beautiful, Lisa. Your ministry of encouragement is a tremendous gift to all of us who read daily or stop by once in a while. I’m so glad God has led you to us.
thank you for your sweet comment. You are a dear! I love your blog!
I really enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for sharing the meat of the Word! What an incredible blessing! I really am blessed by your heart to bless other women.
May God do mighty things in you and through you!
All for Jesus,
Julie