Living – A Slow Process

I had a friend this week tell me sometimes she feels people have moved on without her. She also made the statement that we shouldn't hold onto the things of the past because of the need to live in the here and now. I then started to think about how we need to use the past experiences as a springboard for growth. Through memories we learn and progress. Progress through the pain and the joys of life lived daily in the present. I then began to think of those times and wrote "A Slow Process". I hope you will use the pain and joys of life to live to the fullest measure. It might be a slow process, but through that process we are able to digest the progress to a healthier life.

A Slow Process

 

Life won't be a string of pearls

until the oyster of living

works through the sands of each day

and forms the pearl within.

 

Each situation of life will take the lump of coal

and shine it into the priceless diamond.

 

It takes time to process—a slow process sometimes.

 

 

 

"The leading cause of death among fashion models

is falling through street grates."

~Dave Barry~

 

GPS

These days people rely heavily on the GPS in their vehicles, on their phones, and wherever else they may be able to attach them. At work I got a 911 call from someone who needed help. I asked them where they were and they said, "Let me look at my GPS." Well after a short period of time trying to decipher their location, I asked if they could see any landmarks. They said, "Hold on I'm narrowing in now." Well as it turned out, all they had to do was look up and see a HUGE sign that said "PETRO 2" They were at the I-70 intersection at Salina that was populated by huge signs you could see for a good distance advertising 2 truck stops, gas stations, motels and other businesses in the area. All they had to do was look up and see them.

Well I must admit, I rely on my GPS too. Mine isn't a system that is attached to my vehicle, my phone or wherever else one can attach a Global Positioning System. My GPS is God Positioning System. It is a system that has been in existence since the beginning of time. It has always worked. It doesn't take any special equipment or special installation. I don't even have to have money to afford it. All I have to do is accept it, place it in my heart and rely on it to direct me down the path I need to go. Sometimes it will lead where I don't want to go, but it has a built-in intelligence chip. It knows what the best route is for me. If I follow it, it will divert me around the road blocks in life. It will send me past the pot holes, construction zones and congested byways. It is always up-to-date. It talks to me just like the fancy GPS of modern day technology. It is 100 % fool-proof.

All I have to do is look up and see the HUGE sign. God makes things clear as day as long as I keep my eyes on him, keep my ears attuned to his voice and follow the path he has laid out. It is when I stop listening to the soothing voice that says "Turn left before the bump." "Keep your eye on the goal." "Take one step at a time." "Don't rush by going over the speed limit. Everything comes in its proper time."

Yes, my GPS is always reliant and is always looking out for my safety and best interest. All I have to do is look up. I am assured I will get to my destination in the right time—God's time. Best of all it doesn't have to be updated and it never gets obsolete. The passing of time just makes it better. All I have to do is "Be Still and know that he is God." My navigator is always in control, all powered up and always ready to be used.

Wounded Heart

 

How much Christ is a priority in my life will determine my lifestyle. How much I mimic Him. Jesus didn't come for the righteous, but for the unrighteous. Come to Him as you are and He will make you what he wants you to be – step by step, trial by trial, and release by release. When I relinquish my desires for His desires, when I resort to trusting Him and relying on Him, His healing begins. Through my release and my obedience I am fulfilled. Lord, Help Me, for I can't help myself.

 

Let Him show you how much He loves you. I have to give Him the chance to "prove" His love. He won't force himself on me. I have a choice. My choices will produce the outcomes and the consequences I must accept. God can make those outcomes a blessing if I choose Him over temptations.

 

Instant
gratification results in temporary
satisfaction. Don't you want something more permanent, like consistent fulfillment, contentment, joy, etc? Is instant gratification worth the loss of the blessings? Is temporary satisfaction worth the loss of a life of fulfillment, contentment, joy, etc.? Anything of worth takes added effort and focus – only found through God.

 

God can make the impossible possible, but we have to invite Him to work within us. We have to give up our own desires, our own plan of solving (through instant gratification) for His plan of dealing with any situation. God often doesn't respond instantly. When the people around us hurt, we hurt and Christ hurts when we hurt. Only He can heal.

 

Jesus conquered the grave. He can help conquer our daily demons; food, alcohol, drugs, fears, rejection, loneliness, depression, doubt, frustration; temptations of any sort. I must look past the instant gratification and towards the permanent blessings. Anything worth having takes time, effort and focus. God can give me it all. I must set my eyes on the end goal, not the short- sighted satisfaction. As I settle for the temporary satisfaction, I lose the permanent blessing.

 

"Jesus, He meets you where you are. Jesus, He heals your secret scars. All the love you're longing for, is Jesus; the friend of a wounded heart."

 

Sign of aging:

When you try to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks

and discover you don't have any on.

  ~Max Lucado~ Paraphrased