When I've stopped and thought..

Do you ever stop to think about the world- and how focused you are on your own? It becomes embarrassing to me the time spent worrying about myself, when really, there is so much more to this life than me. I feel I’ve been given many reasons to be overly focused on my own world. But what I want to take away from all this, or what I want to do with all this is step away and back out of the spotlight, so that whoever may be looking at me can only see who is really behind it all- God.

When I do that, it makes whoever may be talking to me or listening to me so much more special because I realize that I don’t deserve it, that it is a gift. It also makes me think about what I’m going to do with these gifts, and this turns my whole perspective from how can I make myself happy into how can I be one who is humble enough to allow God to do great things through. 

Pure Joy

In these past couple weeks I have been spending time with many different friends and family. What really struck me as amazing was being around those whose hearts were full of the joy of Christ. After I got home I realized that just being in their company was a joy in itself because they truly were satisfied and at complete peace with the Lord. Their joy was so apparent to everyone near them, even those just observing. The Lord opened my eyes to see that no one wants to be around someone who is down and has nothing to give. But everyone wants to be around someone who is full of the life God has given them. It was such a blessing to be able to be around these people this week, and I pray in the future the Lord would grant me a fraction of the joy I have seen around me.

In my time alone this week I was lead to a few different verses that all portray the true joy that the Lord can give.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

And in my prayers this week I pray these few things..

“Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.” Psalm 86:4

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12

Amen.