Letting Go...

It's been a couple weeks since we got back from transportation training.  In this time, we've gotten back into the swing of school work, finished midterms, had a Chili and Flannel Cookoff (we make chili, carve pumpkins, wear flannel shirts, and sit around a campfire), and revisited people that we've been trying to share the Gospel with.

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This past week, God has taught me about letting go. ...letting go of my dreams and hopes for my future.  To be specific: personal goals, marriage, etc.  That sums it up.  I've been focusing all my thoughts on my dreams for the future.  To focus on goals and dreams is not a bad thing, but it was getting to a point where I was getting impatient or worried, or I was just missing what was going on around me.
But in the midst of that impatient/worried pondering, God interupted my thoughts to say, "I want you to let go of these thoughts for awhile.  They're consuming your mind, but I need you to be consumed with Me first."
So, I ended up taking a deep breath and handing everything to God.  I'm not saying I can just change all my emotions and let go and say, "woohoo! I'm free!"  No.  I don't know how to do that.  But instead of trying to work out all my plans in my head, I'm running straight to Christ ...who has all good and perfect things in mind.  So, to the best of my ability, I let go.
That was Monday.  It's now Saturday.  I'm looking back over the week and I can say that it wasn't easy, but I allowed to God free my mind this week.  He then was able to fill my mind with more and more of Him.  I'm still pressing foward, eager to learn from Him and for His glory!

In conclusion: It is ok to let go of a dream (even a good one) for awhile.  Focus on the current task of drawing near to God and spreading His love, His Gospel.  When and if God wants to bring that dream back into focus, He will do so in His own perfect timing.  His purpose and glory will be evident in that timing.

Romans 8:5 & 6

"...but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ...the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace."

Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Ecclesiastes 3:11

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done form beginning to end."

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How you can pray:

1. Please pray for the family that Jeremiah and I are visiting each week.  Things haven't gotten better for them.  But, I think God lets these bad things happen so that people can see how weak they are, and how much they need God.  So pray that He will draw them to Himself and that they will seek Him.  

2. Pray for unity in our group.  We not only need to be united with each other, but united by Christ first and foremost.  There are always things that try to tear us apart.

3. Praise God for the way He is working in each one of our hearts.  It gives me so much joy to hear what God is doing in everyone's lives.

Thank you for your prayers!!  I love you all!!