I Belong To You. Do You Belong To Me?

I sit quietly occupying the space. There are so many words that I want to pass between us. I love you are the easiest three, but I don't think that you believe them. I have been saying them and showing my love to you for years, but you continue to keep me at arm's length. I wish you understood how frustrating it is to say that I love you and not hear it in return. I wish you understood what it's like to know that the person who you give everything to is not willing to do the same. I belong to you, but I wonder do you belong to Me?

Loving you was easy at first. You had about you an innocence that allowed you to be completely open and transparent with me. When I spoke, you listened. When I encouraged you to do something, you understood the importance of completing the task right away. You listened intently to My voice. You waited for it. Sometimes hours would pass, but you would still be right there allowing our time together to be more than the sum of shared words. You spoke. I listened. I spoke. You listened. From the exchange, we were both filled with Hope. There was no question of our commitment to each other. I belonged to you and you belonged to Me.

Time has had its way with us. The openness that we once shared is one-sided. I see that you are hurting, but my attempts to comfort you are brushed away. I used to be able to whisper softly in your ear when you were anxious or confused. I still whisper, but you act as if you don't hear. Perhaps you no longer recognize my voice. Perhaps your ear is turned to another. Perhaps you truly no longer belong to Me.

But, I belong to you. I love you and it's more than words. I love you with all that I am. I will keep fighting for you. Remember, you were so special to Me that I gave up my life for you. That was the way that I showed you that I belonged to you then. Is knowing how much you mean to me enough to bring you back to Me again?

J.C.

Adayinthelife :-)

Fighting For Territory

"Bless me. Bless me. Oh Lord, bless me indeed..."

There comes a time in life when we are no longer satisfied with the place that we are in. It could be that we have outgrown our home, our career has become stagnant, or our relationships no longer fill up the space that they once did. These times usually make us uncomfortable. For me, sleepless nights ensue and I spend a great deal of time pondering what I will do next. I usually think about how great it will be to get that new thing. I also think about what it will cost me in time and effort. I think about so many details that I usually think my way right out of it. It never occurred to me that giving up was exactly what the devil ordered.

Scripture warns us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. We acknowledge that without considering all the different things that it means. When we are faced with the possibility of God enlarging our territory, the thief works to steal our drive, kill our faith in God, and destroy anything that looks like progress. Now that you know this, it's time to fight for your territory. 

It's time to fight for your territory. Yes, I said it again. I will keep saying it until the words spur you to action. It's time to fight for your territory. It is time to fight for the place that God wants you to occupy. It's time to fight for peace in your home. It's time to fight for kind conversations and camaraderie on your job. It's time to fight until the last morsel of doubt is transformed into an avalanche of renewed faith. 

Fight for your territory on the strength of God's promises. The word says "call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." (Psalm 50:15) Stop seeing the bible as a book of words and recognize it as the book of life. Declare to God "You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress." (Psalm 59:9) And the second that He tells you to move, don't hesitate. Don't allow the thief to steal your drive. Use everything that God has given you to FIGHT.

Adayinthelife :-)

You Are Not In This Alone

We live in a time of self sufficiency. We are expected to excel on our own, overcome on our own, and maintain all on our own. We declare that we can do bad by ourselves and that no one helped us on our race to the top. It is interesting how many of us say and actually believe these things.

I can do bad all by myself, but why would I want to? Who would actually choose to be in a bad situation with no one to encourage them to get out? Who would choose to struggle alone through a loss or walk solo through the halls of despair? In the midst of your struggle, you may feel like no one is there. You may experience pain in such a way that you cannot imagine it being shared. However, you are not in it alone.

In the center of your bad situation, was a stranger who smiled a hello. It was a smile that you saw and never even remembered. Yet and still, it was the smile that struck you on the inside and reminded you there was hope.

The same is true for success. The hard work and long hours put towards achieving a goal can seem lonely. You may only remember studying by yourself or moving forward in your career unaccompanied. But, you did not achieve it alone.

The test that you studied for was prepared by a teacher late one night. She stayed up making sure that each question would challenge but not break you. Each question was designed to push you forward and help you get to the next level. Each question, though difficult, was her way of reaching out to you. You were not in it alone.

And of course, there's God. He was there making sure you crossed paths with the stranger. Then, He made sure to prompt the stranger to smile. When your teacher felt like falling asleep, He revived her. He helped her to word the questions and then led you to study the exact same things. He was there helping each time that you needed Him. He was there even when you declared you did not. Regardless of what it looks like, you are not in this alone.

Adayinthelife :-)