When a woman needs to cultivate the muscle-work of self control - and an announcement
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I'm an easily swayed woman. Not the best trait when raising three strong-willed boys, that's for sure. I say no but then they say please, and I sort of bend under the masculine pressure with a well... maybe... okay... only to wonder why they always argue with their Sweet Mama. Then I say yes to a book, starting at page one, but three chapters in I'm onto something new and I never really finish it. Another yes becomes a no. Add to it the fact I'm a creative personality and inspiration is never in short supply around here; I start a project with vision and enthusiasm and then get distracted by tomorrow's fresh batch of inspiration. Truth is... I don't finish lots of stuff. Even the homeschool closet in the hallway. Twice a year I take everything out and start to sort through it all... but there's just too much and I'm overwhelmed, so in it all goes again. While I'm careful not to make "vows", swearing to the Lord this or that, knowing that I don't often follow through with what I plan and purpose, I'm aware that this lack of stick-to-it-iveness is a Spiritual thing, because the fruit of God's Spirit in my life includes self control. Or at least it should.
Just say a simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.'
(Matthew 5:37a)
Often I camp out on Galatians 5:22-23, praying over that fruitful list, asking God to grow each piece in my life as I learn to abide in Him. Recently, as I've prayed, He has given me the eyes to see my lack of self control. And so, since the fall of last year, I have spoken three big yeses, in part to develop that muscular fruit.
Number One: I said yes to a seven week Beth Moore Bible Study! I haven't done that since the boys were born in quick succession. Unfortunately, my husband travels quite a bit for work and I homeschool during the days, so meeting up with a formal group didn't happen for me this time. Still I kept at it. I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, but that seven week study took me twenty-seven weeks... However, I made it through and was so blessed to have stuck it out.
Number Two: I am up to my neck in the writing of a book. Now I've said yes to book concept after book concept for years on end, each idea inspiring and exciting me, but this time I partnered with a friend who has a stick-to-it nature as tenacious as any I've seen. I'm learning so much from her about perseverance amidst the busyness of life. One foot in front of the other, day after day, page after page, chapter after chapter, goal after completed goal. And the end is in sight! What fun it will be to share it with you all when the time is right.
Number Three: And then there was this forty day fast. HOKEY PETE! I had no idea what I was suggesting when I casually threw the idea out there, just after Easter. I knew I needed to get my body off of sugar for the sake of my physical and emotional health, for the sake of calm parenting, for the sake of letting my light shine, but I had no idea what a challenging journey it would be spiritually for me. Even today, on day 37, I'm seeing strongholds fall from my life. Far greater than the shackles of sugar addiction and grumpy afternoons, this fast has shined a spot light into the hidden corners of my life. God keeps illuminating this core truth, "I want all of you... I even want your willy-nilly lack of follow-through. Muscle-through this, Darling, bcause with me you can! Do not give up! Press in and press on, that you might know me!"
I want to know Christ—yes... Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:10-14)
Therefore, with the goal of knowing Him at the forefront of my being, today I am committing to another yes.
A BIG, RESOUNDING YES!
A yes, that will take the heart-muscle of self-control. A yes, I am hoping, that you'll make with me in the weeks and months ahead. So, are you ready for it? Get real quiet now so that you can hear the invitation way down deep in your heart...
I'm going to read through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
Did you hear that? I'm going to begin reading through the Bible, and I want you to join me! I want to experience the sweeping tale of God's passionate pursuit of His created - and I want that for you too. I'll be embarking on this adventure on June 1st and will be praying for y'all in the days to come, that God's Spirit will be pricking at your hearts to find Him real and alive and eager to engage with you between thin pages of a life-changing book.
You've got to know this about me... I'm not much into formulas when it comes to faith. I'm not going to tell you exactly how this should go down - that's up to you. You may read the Bible through in 365 days, or choose to ingest it real slow-like in the early morning hours before your little ones wake. Some of you will want to find a solid commentary to hold in your hands, learning what it all means phrase by inspired phrase, explaining the mysteries of God's Word chapter after chapter. Others will choose to order a journaling Bible and do creative lettering and watercolors in the margins, as the Spirit inspires. And still others of you will download this Bible app to your phone, and listen to the spoken Word while you work out in the early mornings.
I am not at all concerned with how you seek, only that you do - how you are to meet with Him, at what time, or the amount of pages you daily read is up to you. What I am hoping and praying for is that you and I would simply seek The Lord through His Word, and find Him faithful there. That we would say Yes to Him in this big way! And that our yes will be yes, from cover to cover, that we might discover, with the help of His Holy Spirit, all the yeses He has spoken over our lives in Christ.
Yes?
Will you consider joining me?
I will most assuredly write posts along the way about what God is teaching my own heart, however, I will not be leading you - Not as your Bible Study teacher in the journey, but a sojourner by your side, along the way. God's Holy Spirit is the One who will be leading this trip through His Word. Does that seem a little esoteric for some of you? Well, rest assured, you will find Him to be more real and near to you than ever before as you cultivate ears intended to hear, and a Yes-Heart committed to draw near to Him.
Have you ever wanted to discover the entire story of God's plan, from creation to His triumphant return? Then come along for the adventure of a lifetime!
Say Yes with me... it will absolutely change your life!
Or a full money back guarantee.
#readthroughthebible
