
To give meaning to life, we all need a quiet center around which our whole life revolves. Then circumstances, concerns, events, random incidents...all fall into place, and we have the inner peace and reassurance that we so desire.
Like the Northern Star, which gives travelers "an eternal reassurance because it is a constant bright source on their journeys" God is our constant and eternal focal point that guides us in our journey through this imperfect world...
I had lost my way in the fast paced events of the recent months. Below is my story, my feeble attempt to understand the process of how God called me back to Himself as my unchanging focal point... my Polaris...
Soul-searching
So here I am, alone again.
It is only now that I can finally bring a sense of closure to the Christmas season.
I write, hoping to put words to some of my thoughts the best way I can.
The past weeks have been beautiful, externally. But within my heart, I needed to have a sense that the year 2014 is over. Because as it was ending, I felt like I was not yet ready for the new year. As I had mentioned in another blog post, deep inside I had a vague feeling of disconnect.
I need to have a sense of order in my world, especially in my inner world. With the events of the past year going by so fast... and piling up... it seemed like there wasn't enough time for me to be still and process or evaluate the significance of each event.
What helps me have the sense of order I am looking for is when I can sit in the presence of Father God, and talk to Him about what is happening. The past months I have been unable to do that as much as I would have wanted.
It's not the lack of time... there was really more than enough unstructured time available. The truth is I had allowed myself to be distracted... choosing to do something else instead of spending time at the feet of my Abba to pray and listen to Him.
I have simply shoved the events and concerns around the fringes of my heart, instead of taking them to God and praying about them.
To give meaning to life, we all need a quiet center around which our whole life revolves. Then circumstances, concerns, events, random incidents...all fall into place, and we have the inner peace and reassurance that we so desire.
I have known Abba Father as my Northern Star, but the past months my heart lacked the inner focus I badly needed.
This lack of inner focus, there is a German term for it.
Zerrissenheit.
It literally means, "a state of being fragmented."
But not for long. I don't really want to remain in that place... not when this year promises to be a crucial one in God's prophetic timeline.
Getting Back On Track
I have come before my Father and opened my heart up to Him... acknowledged that He is the quiet center that holds everything together and gives meaning to all that is happening in my life.
I've asked Him for fresh grace and a sense of order in the cluttered areas of my heart...
I've asked Him to pour fresh oil into my lamp... to light my fire again.
And in His mercy, His response is quick.
He has revived my sagging spirit and given me a new determination to get back on track.
This is the reason I have made the effort to write these things down... that he may run who reads it.
Long blog posts are unattractive to most, and I know only a few will probably get to read this far. But aside from it benefiting me as I articulate my thoughts that have been waiting to be put into words, I pray my words will be used by God to minister to another. Someone reading these lines may be in need of encouragement and fresh bread for the long journey.
Abba Father says, Keep believing. My promise is sure.
Father God is the quiet center that gives order to our lives. He holds the answer to our questions, as well as the sense of direction we all need. What's more, He calls us to that higher place close to His heart where He longs to speak truth to counter the many lies that this world would have us believe.
but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
- Habakkuk 2:3
The vision is being revealed. The call has been given.
The response is yours and mine to make.
It's time to level up and go with the flow of Abba Father's purposes for this new year.
Ride the tide of His favor.
Hear Him calling me to come up higher.
Align with His heart's desires.
Cooperate with what He wants to accomplish through me in 2015.
To anyone who has ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, there is a specific call from God.
May our hearts be passionate for the very things that are on His heart!
A Timely Word
This past week, four beautiful Scripture passages resonate within my spirit:
Father does not leave His children in the dark about His purposes.
All we need is to pay close attention when He speaks.
Yes, the Bible is clear about the importance of paying attention. He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
God calls us to draw near... an invitation too precious to ignore.
And He calls us on many levels.
We hear redemption calling... the call to be saved from the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light.
But that is only the initial call. There is a call to grow, and mature, to be equipped continually to partner with Him in His kingdom purposes.
There is the call to serve in His army, to do battle with the enemy. To be a watchman on the wall. To be alert... to watch and to pray... to intercede.
There is the call to worship, to minister to the King of kings. This is the kingdom call, probably the most important call... the call to intimacy, responding to the voice of my Bridegroom King in the quiet of the night.
Embracing the Call
We all have important roles in life... wife, mother, father, friend, minister...
But we only have one identity, the one given by God. A son... a daughter... of the King.
The problem begins when we confuse the roles we do with our identity. The role is only a small part of my life. My identity is what connects me in a vital, life giving way to the kingdom of God.
Years ago I have understood that the kingdom call of God goes beyond the four walls of my church.
This is true in the home front as well. We need to have a sense of calling that is larger than us and goes beyond the four corners of our domestic concerns.
I know this full well. In fact, I am so aware of this call that even if I do love and treasure my family, it is clear to me that the best ministry I can offer is in the area of intercession. Though I am willing to serve them, I can only do so much. I couldn't possibly provide for all their needs, nor could I be the solution to all their problems. God alone can do that.
Increasingly I have come to understand what it means to have a loose hold on my family, giving them the freedom to not have to do things my way. They are free to be their own unique versions of who God created them to be.
I only have one desire for each of them, that God will keep their hearts soft and on fire for Him alone.
It is my ongoing prayer for myself as well... because we can have priorities that do not really give God first place.
A family (or a business, a hobby, a ministry, an illness, for that matter) can easily become an idol, reigning together with God on the throne of our hearts, dictating to us what we can do, or not do, with our time and resources.
In the same way, I dishonor God when I make my ministry the be-all and end-all of my existence.
This 2015, I definitely do not want anybody else sharing the throne reserved for my God and King alone.
Abraham was called of God for an important kingdom task - to be the father of a great nation. He had to leave the comforts of his home and family. He had to separate from Lot before God could give him the covenant promise of a land.
In the same way, I am being called of God anew to go beyond the familiar and the comfortable and follow Him to a place that I have never been before.
Provisions for the Journey
The name I give the month of December, as well as the year 2014, is Provision. For indeed, God has been Jehovah Jireh to me and my family. He has been faithful and true... He has never stopped doing good to me.
In choosing this name, I am reminded of the Biblical circumstances around this beautiful word. At the point when Abraham's faith was tested, and proven that he would put his love for God above his love for his beloved son, a substitute ram was provided.
On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided. - Genesis 22:14
Provision actually comes as a reward for responding to God's call.
With the four blood moons of 2014 and 2015 falling right on the Jewish Feasts of Passover and Tabernacles, there is no doubt that God is doing something extremely important.
I wouldn't want to miss any of it.
As this year starts, I want to live as a woman of faith and obedience, a woman with a sense of calling.
I want to live having God as the constant focal point and center of my life around which everything revolves.
I hear God calling, Seek first My kingdom and My righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
I hear God saying, Do not be afraid... I am your Shield, and your exceedingly great Reward (Genesis 15:1).
We Are Called
by Steven Fry
"Our worship is responding to the revelations of His name..."
"Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders..."
"From my heart to the heavens Jesus be the center, it's all about You..."
To read Part 1 of this post, click on this link:
A Beautiful Season
Related posts:
Quiet Rest
Expecting A Surprise


10 comments:
There was so much to absorb from your posts...yesterday I listened to the Oceans song while in the waiting room of Jeff's doctor. Tonight I have finished reading, but can only leave this small comment behind as my laptop is starting to overheat...I want you to know that you are such an inspiration...You are doing the right thing by sitting at the feet of Abba Father when you feel disconnected...I must remember to do that also... sooner rather than later.
Blessings and love, dear Lidia
~In Jesus~ Lisa
Dearest Lidia, As He has so often in the past, God is using you again to lift me up,fill me with his strength, replant my feet as he places within me a brand new heart. I doubt, dear heart, if you realize what a blessing you are. I actually had to stop several times while reading this post, had to bookmark it to be read later. Why? because my falling tears kept prevented me from being able to see the words I was reading, HIS WORDS! Since losing my Johnny, many other things have happened, hard, difficult things, the latest one being being diagnosed with stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease. Discouragement washed over me;like flood water, threatened to pull me under. But I called out as always I do when new trials confront me, when I find my foothold slipping "Father, Help me. "And as quickly as the words were out of my mouth I felt peace being restored in my soul. Nothing is impossible to God. NOTHING! I love Him with all my heart and have wanted nothing except to tell others of his goodness, of how greatly he loves them, of all he has done, and continues to do for me. Like the song says" I was lost, but now I see." Thank you dear one, for your willingness to share your journeys, your lessons, as well as the difficult parts of your life. You are my sister and I love you so much, feel as if I have known you forever. One day, I know I shall see you face-to-face, and will finally be able to give you that hug I so want to give you. Know, please know, that this post has literally saved my life. Words are inadequate but GOD knows and I hope you do too. Take care and God bless you.
Dearest Lidia,
It is so very good to see you! I have missed you over the holidays and thought of you so very often.
Again, the words you have shared here have greatly blessed my heart.
You speak so tenderly and right from your heart, I love that about you.
The desire of my heart is to love my Savior with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. To give Him the honor and glory in all I say and do. To put Him first above all else, and yet,I find myself in a strange land right now.
It's as if I'm living on a fog, almost hard to describe at times.
I long to draw ever so close to God, deeper than ever before.
I want you to know that your post with it's heart felt words has been an encouragement to me.
I have appreciated each and every scripture verse you have shared, than you.
Many blessings to you,
Debbie
The crynof my heart too. Thanks for tje reminder. The best place ever is in the presence of God. The best voice we hear and it is a great feeling to be inspired by God to soar up on high. Sis Lidia, you are in the path that God is leading you. Sorrounded by believers and have a family that believe in God. That is very precious. Thanks for all the prayers and I pray too that I will always have that desire to soak in God's holiness!
I have to be truthful . . . I've been distracted in 2014 by this new person in my life. I need to get back into my studying and quiet time with God. My focus for 2015 is to get back into my calling for God. I believe 2015 will be a very different kind of year for all of us. LIdia please continue to write and post . . . yes your writing makes a difference. This post was calling me and reminded me that we are created by God and for God's work here on earth. I have much gratitude for the joy God has brought me . . . Blessings, Sandy xo
I have lost my focus at times and it's been painful for me, but it always amazes me how Father God cares about the details. He is faithful to get us all back on track. I, too, have learned a looser hold on my children, allowing them to be all God wants and praying daily for those soft hearts too. I love being a praying mama and grandmother. May your days in 2015 be seasoned with His grace. I look forward to what we will be able to share together this year!
Love you!
Mary
Lidia...thank you thank you thank you for writing your heart b/c it was exactly what I needed to read this morning. Long posts are usually hard for me to read through but this one.....definitely anointed cause it went straight to my heart and everything in me sat up and said, yep...right on. Hugs to you special buddy...You are a mentor and friend.
I found so much of your post to be true in my life. I believe God is doing great and wonderful things in the lives of his children. My hearts desire is to be more like him each day, to show His love and let Him be in control. Yes, we can only do so much for others, we must submit to His will for He knows best.
Love this blog! Thank you for sharing Tita Lidj! Hugs! So when is our next fellowship?
Love,
Tata
Clearly the Lord has given you specific and personal direction and focus for 2015. Follow "hard" after Him and then all who "come behind" you will see your faithfulness and glorify the Father! No one who puts his/her hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom....Luke 9:62.
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