Let us test and examine our ways,
and return to the Lord!
Let us lift up our hearts and hands
to God in heaven Lamentations 3:40-41 (ESV)
Last year when I started this blog, I named it Devotion in Action. God was really dealing with me about taking action. There were things I had dreamed about and thought about doing for a really long time. Fears and intimidation had kept me from taking the steps to go after those dreams. Then, God started speaking to me through his word and through sermons and books about taking small steps. Reaching out and taking a step of faith and how God would meet me and help me.
From the beginning of this year, I have grown in this in a huge way. I realized over the course of that year that whenever I am weak, God is strong. I have to step out in action, depending on His strength. The cool thing is that every time I have done that, I feel invigorated and blessed.
Did this year turn out like I expected or hoped for? Nope.
Not everything was like I thought it would be, but God used it to teach me so many things as I consistently spent time in His word and took action to do things that I had only thought about before.
So, fast forward to this new year. For the past few weeks, a little phrase has been popping up in several areas of my life.
Get ready.
I have to tell you – that phrase is exciting and a little scary. I mean, get ready for what?!?!
I don’t really know, but I think this year God is planning to do something.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)
Preparing your minds for action.
I love that phrase. It is a combination of last year and this year. I have to get prepared for the actions God has planned for me next.
One of the areas where I am anticipating change is in our house. My husband and I have been wanting to move to a different house. One where each of our children would have their own bedroom. We just couldn’t really see how it would work financially. So, the only action we have taken is to pray for it.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, when he was praying, my husband felt that God spoke to him. He felt God saying, “You have been asking for this, but not getting ready for it. How are you supposed to see my answer if you are not looking?”
So we decided to get ready. I cleaned and decluttered our house so we will be ready to list it when we find God’s house for us. We called a family member who is a real estate agent to help us look for the house. We have gone to see several on the market. We haven’t found one yet but we are taking action to get ready.
As I was cleaning, I realized that there are so many areas where I have become home-blind to the clutter in certain areas or the dust on certain surfaces.
It is the same way in my heart. There are areas I have ignored for so long that I become sort of home-blind to them.
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21 (ESV)
It is time to do a deep clean and declutter on my heart. When we cleanse ourselves, we become vessels for God’s use. His honorable use.
Let us test and examine our ways,
and return to the Lord!
Let us lift up our hearts and hands
to God in heaven Lamentations 3:40-41 (ESV)
It’s time to get ready.
Action Step: Let’s take some time in prayer to examine our hearts. Take a good look at the cluttered corners and dusty surfaces. Those areas we have ignored for too long.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24
Let’s ask God to help us see the areas that need a good scrubbing…since we are home-blind to it sometimes.
Dear God, search my heart. Illuminate the areas of my heart that need to be cleaned. Get me ready for the next action you have in store for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.