Themes!

My past couple blog entries seem to be following a theme. Hmmm, I wonder if that means God's trying to work on something in me? (Rhetorical question. I know I need work, especially in peace and patience. No amens required!)

Writing on the fruit of the spirit, the message lingers with me. The fruit of the spirit is the evidence of the indwelling holy spirit living in me and through me. Growing closer to God, the holy spirit has more to work with in me. My job is to choose to listen to that spirit... I wish I could say I listen all the time. I'm working on it.

Mother Theresa's message at the National Prayer Breakfast sticks, too. She knew how to live a peace-filled life. She witnessed the dark side of our world. She walked in the dark, with the helpless, loving them in the love of Christ. That's the part that sticks with me: her ability to love. She didn't judge people as evil or ignorant or self-centered. She lived her entire life in love. She loved the unlovable. She even loved those who ignore the unlovable.

So, where does that leave me today? Since posting these entries, I have been attacked in so many ways (none of them really relevant to this blog - just know I've been tested at home, in the community, and in my friendships). I mention peace and all peace seems to disappear.

Perhaps you've noticed that, too. Just when you start to grasp a Biblical truth, it seems everything conspires against you. No matter how much you know the Word of God to be true, you continue to get bombarded by the opposite.

This time around, I choose to focus on the truth. I am being refined for a purpose, all my rough edges getting smoothed. For that I am thankful. With each test, I will make the choice to turn to Jesus and grow closer to Him. The Holy Spirit will fill me up and I will overflow. I'll become more of whom I'm meant to be.

What about you? When the storms of life rage around you, will you turn to God in your time of trouble? Will you whine and complain (maybe even to God) about your circumstances? When life sends you challenges, press closer to the One who can sustain you! This challenge offers you the opportunity to grow!

It's my prayer, for everyone who reads this, and for me, that we will love the world in the love of Jesus. I pray we won't think the world's problems are ours to solve, but that we'll realize Jesus is the answer. I pray we will allow God to use us, our gifts, talents and passions, to make a difference - a God-sized difference - in this world.

I look forward to discovering where this journey is taking us! Peace.