Take No Thought: Pt. III
Posted on June 7, 2007
Filed Under Life, Love, Provision, Gratitude, Fear, Trusting God, Goals, Fulfillment, Faith |
God speaks to me when on my morning walks. Yesterday Zion and I were taking a walk and I was praying, asking God to help me surrender my ideas of how my life should look, and how my needs will be met. For the last few days I’ve been practicing not knowing. Not knowing the who, the how or the what of my life. There are two thoughts I’m focusing on: God is love and that love surrounds me and fulfills me, the second is who do I need to be being in order for God to use me. No day dreams of being rich and famous. No fantasies about living in a beautiful Spanish style home. No thoughts of how I will pay my bills, or who will provide care for
It is amazing and scary how this practice is affecting me. I realized my dreams of being rich and famous take me out of my ‘now,’ sort of like a drug in many ways. They leave me high on hope and better tomorrows, all while I miss out on this moment. I miss the precious moments of my son’s early months in life. I miss the building of love and family between my husband and me. I miss the process of developing my skills and gifts that will and are serving already in many ways. And I miss the subtle transformations and growth that are taking place in my life on a daily and moment to moment basis. Honestly I don’t think there is anything wrong or problematic with dreaming about success, I simply have to monitor how often I’m escaping to wonderland, especially when I’m in the midst of an uncomfortable season.
The opposite of dreaming about my future is worrying about it. Worrying how will I pay bills or how will I provide for my family or how the details of my life will unfold, is just exhausting. While walking with my son, I heard “either you believe I love you or you don’t – either you believe I’ll provide or you don’t.” Yikes, my worrying is directly connected to my faith in God or who I believe God is. “I will never leave you or forsake you,” says the Lord, our God. I’m often amazed by my choice to worry and doubt God’s care and love for me. I mean really . . . There has not been one occasion in my life when my needs have not been met, or exceeded.
I once needed thousands of dollars in a matter of days to register for school. I had no idea where the money would come from. But I moved forward completing paper work and registration forms , trusting God at his word – I will never leave you or forsake you. And, days before class began, the registration office called saying an anonymous angel had paid for the first quarter of school, including books.
This is just one of the many examples of God’s love in action. I’m always left wondering why I spend so much time contemplating failure or disappointment when in truth there has been very little, at least on God’s part. But this time I’m different. Rather than worry or create a happily ever after fantasy, I’m going to sit still and contemplate God’s love, God’s bounty, God’s majesty, God’s power, and God’s beauty. I’m going to envision God’s love all around me and within me because that what’s so!
If there is anything in your life that is taking your attention away from the truth of who you are, a beloved child of God, who was created to bring light and goodness to this very confusing world; if there is anything in you that may have forgotten that God loves you deeply, regardless of and including our many short comings; if you are scared there is not enough goodness for you or that you are unworthy of Gods goodness, bring yourself to the present moment, look around and notice how God has designed your body, notice the earth and its bounty. Then, remember a time when you trusted God and your prayers were answered and your concern thwarted. God only sees the possibilities for our lives.
Let’s stand together – taking no thought for our lives. Let’s begin to live from this place trusting that God is working all things together for our highest and best good. Whatever perceived challenge you might face is designed to strengthen your faith, grow your wisdom, and build the Kingdom of Heaven. Rather than filling your mind with worry, quiet yourself for the voice and the direction of God. Believe that you are being led and await the specific guidance. The reward will be God’s faithfulness each time.
Peace and Blessings,
Monique Ruffin-James 
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2 Responses to “Take No Thought: Pt. III”
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It is so easy to fall into the trap of worry and anxiety, as I do often. But whenever I remind myself that God has it covered, He has a plan, I am amazed at the outcome of His work for my life. Keep up the good writing!
April
http://www.lifeasachristianwoman.com
YES! YES! YES!
Thank you for being a Conduit for The Work. In all that we do, if we allow ourselves the Freedom of Being, All Will Be Done.
We are not our thoughts or our feelings. I am reminded of a bumper sticker that says, “You don’t have to believe everything you think.”
We are Divine Souls having a human experience. This is to be remembered and practiced always.
Peace and Love.