Rush

There is something to be said about waiting for something. I can admit that when I rush things, things don’t happen the way they should. They feel rushed. They feel half-hearted. If we are completely honest with ourselves, some of us like the rush. We like the beat of our heart, We like the pressure. We like the thrill. Truth is…There are things in life that shouldn’t be rushed. You wouldn’t rush baking a cake. It requires time. There are things in your life that just require more time. What things in your life feel rushed? What are you doing out of your own strength? Be patient. Wait for it, Everything in due time and season. Don’t rush it.

Burden Bearer

When I was in college, I used to blast God’s Property “More than I can bear.” Sometimes, what we are going through seems like its too much. God reminds us that we can cast our burdens on him. Even Christ had Simon who helped him carry his cross. Who are the burden bearers in your life? Who are your Simons? Who steps in right on time to help when you need it most? These are your burden bearers. Thank God for these people. Bless them. Praise them. They are your gifts. This life is not meant to be lived alone, and your burdens aren’t meant to be bared alone.

Surrender

When I think about surrender, its when the battle has been lost, all hope is gone and there is no victory in sight. Its when things are in dire circumstances. Surrender seems like voluntary defeat. You raise a white flag simply to live to fight another day. What if I told you that surrender was empowerment? What if I told you that surrender is rest? What if I told you that surrender is submission? Well, it is. Surrender gives us an opportunity to let someone else take the wheel. Surrender is losing control…and its ok. Surrender gives us the opportunity to recalibrate and take off our cape.

Speak Up!

Our voices are a gift. We have the ability to speak our desires into existence. We also have the abilities to speak our fears into existence. We can change our reality. We can change our thoughts. We can change our lives when we speak. We have become complacent and comfortable. We are muted. If you are not content with your life its time to speak up!

Bloom

I love cherry blossoms. I love how they look when they are in full bloom. Their beauty is something to behold. I imagine that God has the same expectation when he patiently waits for his creation to bloom. We are God’s creation. We are being planted when things feel like we are being buried. It’s dark. It’s uncomfortable. It hurts. It’s all part of the process. We will grow. We will mature. We will develop and we will emerge in full bloom.

Beyond Expectation

Fear plays a big part in our expectation. Past experience also plays a part in our expectation. If we have been disappointed, then we typically expect disappointment. If we have experienced failure, then we expect failure. If we have been hurt, then we expect pain. We have experienced the worst and now that is our expectation. God wants us to think beyond our past, beyond our hurt, beyond our failure, and beyond our disappointment. God wants us to cast our nets into the deep. He wants us to walk on water. He wants us to experience the miraculous. God’s ability and resources are limitless. God wants us to think BIG. God wants us to think beyond our reality, beyond our limits, beyond expectation.

Mindful

Luke 12:7 KJV But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Sometimes, I feel like my mind doesn't rest. Late at night I run through lists in my head. Mostly, its my “to do” list or my grocery list or my “don’t forget" list. There are never ending lists. My mind is full. The day always seems to get away from me. The more I cross things off. The more things I add. Its cyclic. Its unending. However, God's mind is full of his plans and purpose for you. He knows the the plans he has for you; Plans to prosper you and bring you to an expected end. So, remember that when your mind is full….God is mindful!