Candy Land

From the Flip Calendar: You're Already Amazing, today's inspiration quote, saying, scripture

"Here's the thing - God is not the only one with a plan for your life.  The enemy has one too.  And if he can't get you to rebel outright, then sidetracking you and getting you outside of your strengths is a pretty good alternative.  You are of incredible worth to the Kingdom.  Dare to be who are you, who GOD created you to be. 

My reflection: 

I have always known that God had a plan for me and like I shared in my last blog, learning to Let Go and Let God, has been what I have always strive to do.  But I really never had the thought that the enemy had a plan for me too. But at the same time, while I had never thought about the enemy having a plan for me, but maybe if we look at it as not following God's path is the same as following the enemy.  

As children growing up, we are taught in Sunday School and in Church that has long as we following the guidance and path that Christ has for us, then we will not be lost.  But if we are to wonder off, like a sheep, then he will come for us and bring us home.  Focusing on letting God, and letting go, seems to be something that is manageable, but now with the idea of knowing that the enemy is trying their best to get us on their path is scary.   It is like in the game of Candy Land.  Think of God's path as the colored squares that you move along, but the enemy is the slides and the ladders.  In the game, it is fun to get the chance to climb a ladder or annoying when you get stuck sliding down the slide, but if we use this as a analogy for the enemy of Christ, it is easier to see how easily the enemy gets in your way of following the path of Christ.   Just imagine, the ending of the game is in sight, just one more curve to go around, but their is a ladder between you and the end.  Do you take it?  of course.  But after you do, what did you miss along the path?  Now taking that into a reflection of our lives with God, if you climb that ladder and not follow the path, what did you miss?  Who did you miss coming in contact with?  Was that the enemy leading you around and away from the path that God had provided.  

The thing is, no matter how old we get, or how good we get (or think we get) about staying on the path that God sets for us and letting go and letting him lead, the enemy is always working to find ways to get us on it's path. 

Dear God, life is complicated and we can so easily mistake a shortcut for the enemy working to get us on it's path.  Thank you for always working to bring your wandering sheep back home and back to the path you have provided.  In Jesus Name, Amen. 

We are stubborn children of God...

From Joyce Meyers Daily Devotion posted online: 

Luke 5:4-6, Jesus said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."  But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing, nevertheless at your Word I will let down the net."  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and the net was breaking. 

'In this scripture, after a long night of not catching any fish, Jesus tells Peter to try one more time.  What Jesus told Peter to do probably didn't make any sense to him, and I doubt that he felt like doing it, but he still did what Jesus said, and he received what was probably the biggest catch of his fishing career.  Like Peter, being led by your thoughts, ideas and emotions won't bring in a big catch.  But when yo do what God says quickly, whether it makes any sense to you or not, your blessings will amuse you.  Christ teaches us to listen to his voice over everyone else and to follow his directions.'

My response and reflection: 

During the times that upon us, with COVID-19, I have noticed that I listen more to my thoughts then checking in with Christ.  God has a plan for each one of us and during times like this, I find it extremely hard to let go, and let God.  It is like I want complete control of what is happening, but instead, I am fighting and not letting him lead me. 

I personally, have never thought that I was someone that 'needed' to be in church each Sunday.  Church is not about a building it is about what we are doing in our lives.  But now that we have been "out" of the church building, it is beginning to be more clear to me that being the church is a lot harder when you don't have the weekly support and reminder from your church family that you are called to serve outside the doors. 

Growing up in church, at the end of every service, the pastor would say, "Go In Peace, Serve the Lord", and the congregation would respond, "Thanks be to God".  While I don't wish to say how many times I just said those words, I find them now to be something that I need to say each day as I am leaving my house, getting out of my car, walking into work, and anywhere I go.  As children of God, we are called to serve others and show the peace and love of Christ to everyone.  But with this pandemic happening and my frustration with rules we must follow or rules that others are not abiding by, am I showing the love of Christ wherever I am  and letting God lead OR am I allowing my own thoughts to take over??  

So while we are out of the church building and potentially not sticking by God, together as brothers and sisters in Christ we must help one another remember that we are to let go, and let God.  We are called to serve with a giving heart, not one that expects something.  We are called to be a light in the world, and this world, nation, state, community...needs this... the light. 

So wherever you are, take a moment to remind yourself to let go and let God.  Take a moment to hear in your head, " Go in Peace, Serve the Lord."  Take a moment to maybe remind your brothers and sisters in Christ that we are called HIS and only HIS. Take a moment to remember that you are a child of God and called to be the light in this world, even with a mask on.   

Dear Heavenly Father, tonight I lift up your children that are struggling with letting go, and letting you (God).  YOU are the way.  Thank you for continuing to claim us as we often drift away or try to handle things ourselves, we are your stubborn children that you continue to call home, back to the cross.  I pray that we remember to be the light in which you call us to be and to share your love and peace to everyone that we meet, through our actions, voice and behaviors (even with a mask on).  In Jesus, holy name, I pray. Amen.