I only have to do what I'm supposed to do

Every once in awhile we get a "You should" email at P31.  You probably know the kind of letters I'm talking about.  They aren't mean-spirited (usually) or unkind (mostly).  But they are from well-meaning readers who think we should be doing something other than what we are doing. 

We love these people.  We truly do.  But we don't change ourselves, our principles or practices, because they want us to.

It's kind of like the advocate for adoption who thinks everyone should adopt.  Or the missionary to Africa who thinks every one should be helping Africa. 

I was called to adopt from Africa ... so maybe those examples aren't that good.

Anyway ...

The truth is, I only have to do what I'm supposed to do.  Not what you think I should do.

I might be able to do it well.  That's not the point.  I might enjoy doing it. That's still not the point.  Am I called to do it by God?  Now we are getting somewhere. 

Here's my take on it:   If everyone did what God called her to do, everything would get done.  Period. 

So do what God is calling you to do, and don't worry about what anyone else is or isn't doing.

Now for a winner to my contest on Wednesday.  Chosen at random, the winner of two Bible studies on the Character of God and a Starbucks gift card is Natalie who posted her comment at January 13, 2011 9:46 AM.   Natalie, I'll email you privately for your address.  If you don't hear from me, please contact me personally at editor@proverbs31.org.

Question:  What has God asked you to do that you haven't done yet?  Are you brave enough to share?  Post anonymously if necessary. 

Grace & Peace,

Glynnis

More on Hearing God's Voice & a Winner

Thank you so much for sharing your heart with me the past few days as a result of my devotion on hearing God's voice.  

It seems many of us long to have specific direction from God about our plans.  I wonder if this isn't increasingly due to the number of choices we have these days.  I can stand in front of the deodorant display for 15 minutes!   I am often on information overload, and an tired of making decisions.

I think there's also a common fear that we will make a mistake and follow our own sinful inclinations.  That's possible.   A sweet friend (thanks Sharon S.) gave me a devotion book that I've started reading.  It's called "Experiencing God Day by Day" and it's by Henry and Richard Blackaby. 

Yesterday the devotion spoke directly to my heart about this.  Specifically about a difficult relationship in my life; one I can't walk away from.  Nor do I want to.  It's my daughter Ruth, who was born in Africa and sadly deals with many challenging issues that often overwhelm me, to the point of despair.  So I find myself frequently and desperately seeking God's direction on how to respond and what to do next to help her grow into a godly woman.  Sadly, my responses are not always a good role model for her.

The devotion yesterday was based on Psalm 24:3-4a:  "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?  Or who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart."

I was convicted right down to my toes.  God challenged me to examine the deepest reaches of my heart and confess sin regarding my thoughts, words and actions.  I was undone.  Even though God spoke to me gently, it was still tough.  Here's the takeaway for me:

If I want to walk in intimacy with the Lord and hear His voice, I need to be sure that I'm not harboring any unconfessed sin. 

Even though the promise of walking closer with God is amazing, it's still hard to dig in deep and pull out those thoughts I'd rather pretend weren't there. 

So that's what God spoke to me this morning.  It's not easy. It's uncomfortable.  It's embarrassing at times.  But it's a journey.  And I'm choosing to focus my eyes ahead and keep on walking.

__________________________________________________________________

Now, on to the winner of Lysa's book. 

There were so many deserving comments that I decided to generate a random number (http://www.random.org/), and it was 60.  So the 60th post is the winner, which is Robyn. 

Min: 1
Max: 151
Result:  60
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

However, as I double checked the comments to make sure I counted right, I realized that somehow Robyn's comments posted twice.  I'm sure that was a bloggy glitch.  But, I decided to give a book to the 60th person as well as the 60th post.  And that winner is Joyce Ashley.  

If both winners will contact me personally (editor@proverbs31.org), I'll get your addresses and get your books mailed out.

Thanks so much for for joining me on this journey. It's an honor to be your sister and friend.

In His Love,

Glynnis

How Do You Know When It's God's Will?

A friend recently asked me a very wise question. She is facing a decision about a change in employment and wanted to make sure she wasn't doing it for selfish reasons. She wanted to know how to tell if it's God's will for her.

What a good question.

Personally, I think a selfish person doesn't even worry about being selfish.

Not that I'm speaking from personal experience or anything ... but ... it's possible that I have in my past, made decisions without consulting God.

I know, you are thinking "say it isn't so!"

Yes, I've definitely maybe done my own thing many times once or twice. 

I'm still learning to wait on God, which is hard for a girl who loves to start things. 

So I shared with my friend a list of questions that I've used to help me identify my priorities, and ultimately God's will for my life.  I don't think God's will looks like a check list.  I think His will for me is to be more like Jesus first and foremost and then to use my gifts and talents to serve Him.  Of course there's more to it than that, but that's a general overview.  There's a lot of flexibility in that plan. 

So here's my list of questions for myself:

1. What can only I do? (Only I can develop my faith, take care of my health, be my husband’s wife and be my children's mother.)


2. What has God entrusted to me? (God has entrusted me with the care of a home, the care of children, my health, the management of my time and money to name a few.)

3. Am I a good steward of what I already have? (Do I manage money well? Do I care for my home? Do I love my husband and children the way I should? Do I work as effectively as I can?)

4. What passion has God put in my heart? (I have for worship, writing, and for women to draw closer to God and align their lives with His will.)

5. What has God asked you to do that you haven’t done yet? (For years I knew God was calling me to write, but I did nothing about it.)

I also think the Bible gives us some guidelines on how to know God's will.  Here's Roman 12:1-2:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Based on that scripture, if we are offering ourselves (our thoughts, finances, time, emotions) to God as a sacrifice, and guarding our minds, then we can know God's will for our lives.

So long as we are following God (with Him ahead of us) and not trying to lead (with Him behind us) we will see Him, and can know His will for our lives through prayer and humble suplication.  We make it much more complicated than it needs to be. 

That's a lesson I'm still trying to slow myself down to learn.

In His Love,
Glynnis