Stop Striving

(My brain is a little fuzzy this morning although I'm on my 3rd cup of coffee already so bear with me as I try to share what's been on my heart today.)

So much of life seems to be about striving, pushing, trying to accomplish more, to get noticed, to succeed.

I've been guilty of this myself numerous times. I am an overachiever by nature. There's something inside of me that drives me to want to be the best. Now that in and of itself is not bad, but when that desire gets out of balance and you deny yourself adequate rest and relaxation in order to meet self-imposed expectations then it's time to re-evaluate.

I've been guilty of striving so often in my life. For example, when I coached a Bible Quiz team I put in countless hours in preperation and practices to insure we'd win the championship - and we did 7 years in a row. This is just one example and trust me there are many.

But what I've learned as I'm gotten older (45 years old now - yikes!) is that the more I push and press and exhaust myself, the less glory God recieves when the goal is achieved.

 I told you yesterday that speaking at women's groups and selling and autographing books I've written at those speaking engagements has been a lifelong dream of mine. And it is. But what's worth noting is that so far, every speaking opportunity I've had did not come to through any effort aka 'striving' of my own. Instead, it came unexpectedly through sources that I had not even considered.

So the lesson for me in this is that if I will just relax and be faithful in what I know to do, God will do the rest. And I think that's what He's been trying to tell me all along.

And what about you my dear reader? What things do you strive for? Share your struggles with me and together we can grow towards more trust in God, and less striving on our own.

May you have a blessed and strengthened day. I do hope to hear from you. The give and take in sharing is how we sharpen one another towards good works!

"It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel." (Proverbs 20:3)

Soldier Lessons

I have a tiny Roman Soldier sitting on my desk at work. It's a visual reminder of what the Apostle Paul told the church at Ephesus:

"Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)

But all week, my little soldier has been falling over. One day, I reached for a file folder and knocked him off his feet. Another time, I set my coffee down too close to him, and he wobbled over on his side. Then today, he fell flat on his face when I rammed my desk with my chair.

Interestingly, I identify with my little soldier the most when he's lying there helpless. I understand what it feels like to be all decked out and in battle gear; ready to rumble, and then get knocked off your feet.

But this is where my little soldier and I differ. You see, no matter how many times my little soldier falls, he remains poised for battle. His arms stay extended, his sword remains drawn, and he maintains his game face.

I, on the other hand, often lose sight of the battle and start thinking of my predicament. Questions like 'how am I going to get up with all this armor on?' and 'who's going to help me?' often dominate my thoughts.

But not so, my little soldier. He somehow knows that I am going to pick him up and set him on his feet again. He trusts me; so he waits. And for some reason, this pleases me.

And it pleases God too when we trust Him enough to wait patiently knowing that soon He'll stand us upright again.

"Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him. " (Psalm 37:24)