Just the Nine of Us

Just the Nine of Us

Monday, November 30, 2009

Pride and Laying it Down

God has been weaving a common theme through the last several months of my life: asking me to lay down my pride. If you've been reading my blog, you know that I am now being called "ma'am", sporting denim jumpers, and showing off beautiful blue bulging veins. (that sounded a bit like a Dr. Seuss.) I've also in recent years gone from a career woman with lunch dates and a personal trainer, to a stay at home, homeschooling mother, sharing a car with her husband, who recently started a new business that's either feast or famine. My life has changed in just about every way possible. And God continues to chisel away at the layers. . .

Yesterday in Sunday school, as we were nearing the conclusion of our study in Philippians by going through 4:10-20, our teacher handed us 5 cards each. We were to write on each card something that was most important to us. Without thinking I started to write the names of my family: "Brian", "Allie", "Maggie", "Penelope", and "Rosemary". Then the teacher asked us to lay down one of the cards, whichever we would be willing to let go of first. Then second. Finally, when we each had one card left, he said "If that card doesn't say 'Jesus' on it, you should think about your priorities. Be willing to lay everything else down." WHOA. I was speechless. And ashamed. He was nowhere on my list. And I remembered that at any moment, one or all five of those precious people could be taken from me, and I had to ask myself if I would still be content. Paul said "For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Wow. Whatever state. With or without. Hungry or full. Healthy kids or not. Husband who loves and adores me or not. Clean house or not. Presents under the Christmas tree or not. Gym membership or not. Would I be content with Jesus?

Then in the service, Bro. Greg preached from 2 Corinthians 5 about walking by faith. He concluded with the verse "Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him." Again the question came from within my heart, "Is it your aim to be well pleasing to Me?"

Oh, that that would be my aim. Oh, that I could be content with the Lord. To rejoice IN THE LORD, not in myself or my kids or my marriage or my home. Yes those things are wonderful but to rejoice in the LORD is different. He is unchanging and will never be taken from me, though everything else is changing and one day will most certainly be taken. Oh, that I would find my joy and my hope and my treasure in Him. That is my prayer today. Teach me, Lord, what it means to treasure YOU.

1 comment:

  1. This really convicted me, Julie! Thanks for challenging me! I love to hear how God is moving in your life.

    Love you girl!
    Jennifer

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