Places to GO!

Romans 8:12-14–The Message

“So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life.

God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!”

 

 

“Do-it-yourself”–The key mantra of today’s culture…from Lowes to Home Depot to self made millionaires–if you question one I would wager they have a “did-it-themself” story to share. 

I have been reading the daily devotional from the CGI (Ephesians 4 website)  and it has been focused on living our lives according to Romans 8:14.  I like The Message, paraphrase version the best as it cuts to the deepest core of what the passage means.

The bigger question I ponder is HOW to really live the Romans 8:14 direction?

It is a simple instruction.  God has places for us to go!

I admit following directions is not one of my forte’s…whether it be a direction from a superior or baking directions for a new dessert–directions and I don’t often mix.

Recently I have been pondering what is GOOD in my life for what is EXCELLENT–but perhaps I have forgotten one vital element….what does God deem excellent?

What does my Father say?

Being “Lisa Focused” will gain short term success in most cases but being GOD focused yields eternal reward.

 

The devotion recently by Os Hillman really hit the proverbial “nail-on-the head” stating:”The greatest sign that you and I are maturing in our walk with God is when we can discern the difference between “good things” and “God-things.”

I don’t love the word MATURE it makes me shiver…not because it indicates old age or gray hair but because it involves obedience.  Another word that frightens me is discernment–yikes–that word alone does not seem to indicate any FUN and when given the choice to do something requiring discernment or FUN–guess what I opt for?

In reading and rereading Romans 8:14 I glean a few key directions–not just one.

From my viewpoint here are 4 elements which I find in my life that need a facelift…..

1– Patience–A virtue not listed on my spiritual curriculum vitae….asking the Lord for direction and discernment and then awaiting His reply.  Waiting on HIM quietly and thoughtfully until He answers.  No rush, no hurry, no worry just wait.

2–Dependence– As a young entrepreneur at age 11 delivering newspapers to a single Mom and successful RN corporate America taught me independence: to depend on me, being self directed and seeking stuff and accomplishment of the world…position, power and fiduciary benefit.  Dependence is totally trusting GOD for all things.  Being a TRUE child of God.  Like an infant depends on his or her parents for each need in their little life. 

Our lives are tiny without God.

3– Listening– I admit I am one of those people who are developing a response to someone without really hearing them. I enjoy the banter instead of savoring the conversation.  I do the same thing with God.  The best part of conversation is actually listening and hearing what is being shared…not my attempt to fix the situation at hand with a bright remark or counterpoint.  My goal is to listen better without thinking of what I might retort–really hearing someone else.  True listening does not require a reply just a confirmation of what was conveyed by the speaker to the listener.

4– Obedience– …..OUCH..that word…hurts!

In my selfishness there is never room for obedience.  Guess it is time to make room.  Obedience is not just following a set of rules but requires a heart change and desire to follow what the Holy Spirit is pouring into my life and then following through.

 

Romans 8:14…God’s Divine Direction. Spirit driven. Places to GO.

What might the directions involve?  Really being a child of God? 

The roadmap: recipe card: email: daily devotional: books: all point to:

Seeking HIM through prayer, His Word, and other Christians who have spiritual gifts and wisdom I lack.

 

OK, so I am not perfect and don’t ever plan to be.  But I do plan to seek God with my whole heart and desire in what I do–or at least try my best in my human condition to do so.  Not an easy task for a fun-seeker…

Or maybe it can be the easiest of tasks for someone like me?

Being a child is easy once the role is truly accepted by our heart.

The Father does know best.  And I am OK with being a HIS child.

 

You know honestly the days I seek the Lord FIRST and spend time in prayer and His Word always go better then the days I seek myself first and then try to clean up the messes. How often do I start my day–create my own chaos to find myself saying “Dear God BLESS this MESS”??  Too many to count. Like driving in reverse…eventually I might reach a destination but talk about going the hard way!  I’d much prefer to take my Father’s Hand and say; “ OK, lead on….I will go with You.”

 

So I ask YOU, how do you move when the Holy Spirit tells YOU to move?

What does it look like?

How do you HEAR GOD?

How do you know it is GOD and not you?

 

In reflecting my days I do enjoy life and find JOY in the impossibilities of this world when I spend time with God first. Hmmmm, when I have HIS JOY I feel happy and fun filled.

Perhaps a little DIVINE DIRECTION is not such a difficult thing?

In fact it is a FUN place to go!

Your comments are welcome….

Blessings,

Lisa

Romans 8:14(NLT)

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”