A person may have many ideas concerning God’s plan for his life,
but only the designs of God’s purpose will succeed in the end.
(Proverbs 19:21 TPT)
You keep every promise you’ve ever made to me!
Since your love for me is constant and endless, I ask you, Lord,
to finish every good thing that you’ve begun in me!
(Psalm 138:8 TPT)
God, there’s a lot on my to-do list right now.
Yes, Dear One. I saw that. How do you feel about it?
Mostly ok. I created the plan; now I’ll “work the plan.” Assuming there are no complications, I’ll get it all done.
There are always complications. Remember the Israelites who wouldn’t believe my promises that they would overpower the giants in the Promised Land? That “complication” cost them forty years wandering in the desert.
Uh, yes, God. I do remember that story. I really hope I don’t have that type of complication. I have too much to do in the next forty years.
(Smiling) True. I have a lot of good plans for your future. You are learning to trust me more and more and it shows.
Well, that’s good to hear. Sometimes, I feel pretty lacking in my spiritual depth and breadth. I feel like I should be miles ahead of where I am. There are so many people so much younger than I who know you so much better.
You are right where I need you to be. As long as you are continuing to seek me and my Kingdom, you cannot be behind. If you compare yourself to some, you are lacking. If you compare yourself to others, you are way ahead. But I never call you to compare yourself to other people. I always want you to compare yourself to Jesus.
Ugh. Then I am in deep trouble.
No, you aren’t. I do not expect you to instantaneously BE Jesus. I do expect you to grow into the fullness of who I’ve created you to be – the likeness and image of Jesus.
Yeah, about that. I don’t really think I’m doing too well on that.
You are much farther ahead than you realize. Besides, you have the Holy Spirit within you. When you quiet yourself down and listen to My Voice you will know how to proceed.
Being quiet can be really hard for me.
I’ve noticed. But don’t give up on it. It’s really worth it. How many times in the Bible do I tell you to “be still”?
Well, you say to be still before you, to wait patiently and entrust ourselves to you without fretting, whining, or agonizing. You say to be still and know, recognize, and understand that you are God. You say that you will lead us beside the still and quiet waters because you are our Shepherd. You say you never leave or forsake us. You say that we shouldn’t be afraid or anxious because it is your good pleasure to give us your Kingdom. You said to never worry about anything, but in every situation to let you know what we need.
Hey! That’s some pretty good Bible memory.
Well, I looked it up.
I know. But that’s ok. My Word is still growing within you. Did you really hear what you were quoting?
As I reread it, I see I need to wait patiently with you, trust you, and pray to you about all things. You are my Good Shepherd and you will help me with All the Things.
Good, my child! What do you think this means for your To Do list?
To come to you and pray about it?
Yes. That’s a good start. But, even before that, come to me. Feast on my Word. Bask in my presence. Absorb my love, peace, and hope for you. Then your spiritual well will be filled and you can have what you need to do the tasks. Be Mary before you are Martha.
Yeah, I’m not all that great at that.
You are wired to DO, but you are also wired to BE. When they are in balance – when you seek me and my Kingdom first – then you can do extraordinary things!
That makes sense. I like the idea of balancing; it’s like drinking at the Well so you can overflow for others.
Exactly. Remember that you are wrapped with strength, might, and power in all your works. If I give you things to do, I will give you the spiritual, mental, and emotional strength and fitness to do them. I am the God who supplies all your needs. All you have to do is ask.
Thanks, God. I will.
God,
Thank you for your designs and purposes on our lives and for your faithfulness to keep every promise you make. Finish the good things you’ve begun in us. But help us to abide in you, our Vine, so that we are overflowing with your Spirit and your Word before we start our “to-do” list. Help us to be Mary before we are Martha and to find you and trust you for the healthy balance in our lives. Continue to gird us with the strength we need to work vigorously at our God-given tasks. Help us to be growing into the fullness of who you’ve created us to be and to live in the Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace you have for us, we ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it! (Ephesians 2:10 TPT)
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. (Romans 8:28 TPT)
Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7 AMP)
He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. (Psalm 23:2 AMP)
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 AMP)
Do not be afraid and anxious, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32 AMP)
Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. (Philippians 4:6 GW)
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV)
She wraps herself in strength, might, and power in all her works. (Proverbs 31:17 TPT)
I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ! (Philippians 4:19 TPT)
But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 AMP)
But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. (Matthew 6:33 AMP)