Lord, you truly know me
When I rise and when I fall Every thought I think Every step I take Every dream I dream You know all my ways You know every word I am about to say You are behind me And in front of me With Your hand on me Your arms constantly embracing me I don’t understand Your love, but this I know There is nowhere I can go where you can’t find me There is no path I can take where You’re not there There is no place high or low where you won’t hear me I can fly into sky…I can sail across the sea Knowing that You will be there for me Your Love will lead me and hold me Even in the darkness Your Light will shine on me On the cloudiest day You can still light the way You still guide my path You know what to say You know every step I will take You have covered me And protected me From the I was born Made fearfully and wonderfully I don’t understand Your love, but this I know There is nowhere I can go where you can’t find me There is no path I can take where You’re not there There is no place high or low where you won’t hear me I can fly into sky…I can sail across the sea Knowing that You will be there for me Your Love will lead me and hold me
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Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:13 (MSG)
We, as children of Christ, can make it through anything, but not on our own. We need the power of Jesus Christ. No matter what kind of battle you are facing, in Him, you have the ultimate weapon. What can man do to God? What force on Earth can hold a candle to the one who is born of Heaven? Nothing and no one is more mighty than the Lord Jesus Christ. So, though we may face obstacles that seem insurmountable; we must remember that if we call on the name of Jesus, He is faithful to carry us through to the other side. As long as we are determined to handle this life on our own, we will struggle, but in Him, we will soar. We can make it through anything: loss, loneliness, larger-than-life financial deficits. None of it is greater than our God, the One who makes us who we are. We are winners. Stand in victorious expectancy for God to show up, work in and through you, and win whatever battle you are facing. Ms. EV So, as of tomorrow, you will have made it through what I call, "the rough part," between November and today when there are numerous occasions that remind us of our singleness. Here are my last two new definitions of SINGLE and my personal list of things to enjoy about being single (you may have different things, but it's a good reminder that all is not lost...). This too shall pass. I was not always in such a good place and I still have some bad days, but knowing that God is in control and I am exactly where I need to be, keep my head up and I hope it will do the Satisfied IN Giving the Lord my Energy – Psalm 37:4 God is a jealous God. I have read the entire Bible and one of the things that shouts out loud and clear is that God wants to be my focus. He wants my heart, my mind, my soul and my time. At first glance, that might sound overly-possessive, but I am His creation. The earth and everything in it belongs to Him, so He should be my first priority in life. That does not mean that I cannot love another person, or my family, my job or my church, but I cannot put any of those things before my God. I need to be satisfied with Him alone. Once, I am satisfied with Him, everything that He adds to my life is just icing on the cake. Supplicating IN God’s Listening Ears – Philippians 4:6-7 And, how does God know what I want and need? He is listening. God hears my prayers, both spoken and unspoken. He reads my heart. I have been in and around human relationships my whole life and there is no one who knows your every desire like God does. A relationship is meaningless without communication, and unlike with another human being, I know God listens to every word, every whisper and every thought. I know this because he has given me peace just like His Word said He would. At eighteen years old, loneliness nearly killed me. Now, I know I am never alone. I am able to embrace my singleness and trust God with my life rather than try to work things out on my own. And, I thank God for that. It comes from taking all my cares, anxieties, and burdens to Him, praising Him and thanking Him for what He has planned for me.
We're in the home stretch...if you can make it through the next 24 to 36 hours, it's all downhill from here ;o)...here are some more definitions of SINGLE to keep you going...
Sanctified IN my Gracious Lord’s Evaluation – 1 John 1:9 God is faithful to forgive me and purify me. When I confess my sins to God and ask for His forgiveness, I am clean is His sight. He wipes the slate clean. That is difficult to understand because of the grudges that people continue to hold against each other. It is even more complex when I think of how hard it is for me to exonerate myself. One of the worst decisions that I ever made was to get married, and I carried the guilt of divorce with me for nearly ten years. But, if I believe the Bible, and I do, God absolutely forgives me. God is not fickle as we humans can be. God does not want us to wallow in guilt. He wants us to learn from our mistakes, and follow His path. He shows this throughout the Bible. (See the stories of David and Peter, if you need examples) Supported IN God’s Lifting Encouragement – Jeremiah 29:11 At this point, I probably sound like I am all gumdrops and candy canes with a sickeningly sweet disposition all the time. This is just not the case. In fact, most people who know me would cackle at that very idea. I am a real person, not a God-robot. I have good days and bad days. I have ups and downs. Just because I can be content with being single does not mean that it does not bother me at times. I do not like being the odd-numbered wheel when I’m out with friends, but I have friends. I do not enjoy taking out the trash or maintaining my own car, but I can. And, when those things bother me, I am encouraged to know that God has a plan for my life. He does not want me to fail. I am a vessel for God’s glory, so my failure would not be a good testimony. God’s plans are not my plans. They are better plans; in fact, they are the best plans for my life. When I reflect upon that thought, I am lifted and encouraged, knowing that I am supported by God. Here are two definitions of SINGLE, for those who may have gone to Wal-Mart this week and started hyperventilating. It will be okay, I promise...
Situated IN God’s Learning Experience – Matthew 11:28-30 We often learn lessons and then just want to take off and run with the lessons, which is what I did after Pray While You’re Prey. But not long after, I felt empty again. I submit that I was so focused on fixing other people that I didn’t take the time to find rest for my soul. I was just looking to make some sort of restitution for my past sins, so that God could bless me with the love of my life. Instead, I should have taken the time to rest in Him and be sure that I was ready for a new relationship. Now, I am relearning some of the same lessons, but this time my focus isn’t on finding a new man; it is on sustaining my relationship with Christ and trusting in God’s plan for me. He has me in this place for a reason, which leads to the next definition. Standing still IN Great and Limitless Expectation – Psalm 46:10 One of the hardest things for any human being to do is waiting. Now, if you magnify how hard it is for normal people by about one million, you get how hard it is for me. “Be still and know that I am God…” Sometimes, I read that and think, Has God met me? I mean, He created me, so He knows how hard it is for me to sit still and not try to make things happen. But, here’s the cool thing about God, He gives me the chance to let Him handle it and then, He puts in a situation where I have no choice, but to let Him handle it. I don’t mean that He takes away my free will, but God has a way of making it abundantly clear that if I want things to work out in the best way possible that I have to let Him do His job. And, I have come to learn --usually the hard way --that God always exceeds my expectations when I stop limiting Him to what I want and submit to His will for my life. Here are two more new definitions of SINGLE for those who may be feeling a little tense about a certain commercial holiday that is forthcoming...
Sensational IN God’s Loving Eyes – Psalm 139:14 I am “fearfully and wonderfully made.” No one can deny the beauty that created within me when He made me His own. As a single woman, I must be confident that God does not make mistakes and does not make junk. I am His child, His heir, and, as such, I am gifted with His amazing grace and undeserved mercies. I must also never let anyone make me feel that I am a social outcast or that I am unlovable because if the great I AM can love me with everything He knows about me, then I deserve respect from anyone who did not create the heavens and the earth. Sharing IN my Gifts for the Lord’s Exaltation – I Corinthians 12 God has gifted me with different talents and being single allows me to share those gifts with others for His glory. God has given me the ability to teach, and I not only teach as a profession, but in my church. My singleness allows me the time to truly share in the lives of my students and support them in their efforts. God has also given me the abilities to write and sing. With my writing, I have been able to encourage young women, who are facing issues with which I have already tangled. I am also able to give young men insight into issues that Christian women face. For both audiences, the main lesson is that God cares for you and that no matter what you face in relationships, if God is in the forefront, you will be victorious and He will receive the glory. The gift of music has been one that has truly connected me to God. Each time I sing a worship song, it is a personal serenade from me to God. The beautiful thing is to see others uplifted by the moments when I am pouring out my heart to God in song. Ms. EV I walked into a room to speak with a colleague and before I knew it, the room was filled with people venting about our job. They talked about changes that are in progress. They talked about changes that are being considered. They talked about changes that aren’t even being considered yet. It was very depressing, especially considering that I was finally starting to feel comfortable about my career decision. I was finally confident that God had reassured me that I am right where He directed me and where He placed me. But, everything around me looks so grim, so uncertain, so scary….
I imagine that this is what Joseph felt like when he was in a pit being sold off by his brothers. Or, when he had finally earned his spot in Potiphar’s house, only to be accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife, and thrown in jail. These are the times, the grim, uncertain, scary times, when the devil wants us to doubt that God placed us where we are. He whispers, “A loving God wouldn’t put you in a situation where you’re uncomfortable and frightened.” He preys on our vulnerabilities. But, GOD… God will lead us right back to His Word and in that Word, we can see that God was with Joseph and the darkest of circumstances worked out for Joseph’s good. What’s more is that God promised that He will work everything out for the good of those who love Him. So, if I love Him and I trust Him, there is no need to fear. No, the situations and circumstances are not fun and can be unnerving, but the God I serve is my source, not my employer, not my family, not my friends, but God. Because God [is] with [me]; whatever [I do] God [will make] sure it work[s] out for the best. (Genesis 39:23). Ms. EV In one of my latest writings, I came up with several new definitions of what it means to be a single servant of the true and living God. S_____ IN G_____ L_____ E_____... And, since we're only one week from Single Awareness Day (a/k/a Valentines Day) let’s take a look at some of these new definitions over the next few days:
Sustained IN God’s Liberating Embrace – I have learned, often the hard way, to give up control, because those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength, soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, and walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31. The Bible promises me that. And, my lack of control is liberating. I no longer feel like a victim if I face a setback. Instead, I know that God is setting me up for a comeback. I longer have to feel crushed when others people do not follow my instructions because it’s not me they are sinning against, it is God. What does any of this have to do with being single? Well, for me, God has shown me how liberating giving up control can be because I have tried to manipulate every man that I have ever been involved with and every relationship I have ever had to make things go my way. Giving up control to God while single or in a relationship is freeing. He says, Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. So, if I am following God’s will, then I know that I am in the situation that is best for me at this point in my life. It probably will not work out the way I would have worked it out, but thank God for that. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36. I am free. I am free from control, free by corrective communication, free in my circumstances, and free through contentment because I am Sustained IN God’s Liberating Embrace. Isn't it amazing that with everything that goes on in this world God can still hear His children? God hears us when we cry out loud or even if only our hearts cry. He knows our pains, battles, fears and doubts. And, we don't ever have to utter a word for Him to know. I wrote a song awhile back, called Silent Call, that deals with this very miracle of a God-centered life.
How do I know He hears me? Well, I have been asking Him questions and I had only talked to one other person, in confidence about those questions. Yesterday, my pastor (who no one had talked to about the questions) preached a sermon that gave me the answer to my questions. He had no idea that God was using Him to speak directly to me. And, I feel so much better knowing which direction to go in through God's Word. I know sometimes it may seem like God is not listening, but trust me, He hears you! Ms. EV It's been quite a week. Don't get me wrong, nothing major has happened, and I am very much grateful and blessed; yet, I find myself at times feeling overwhelmed. I wake up trying to focus on God and His goodness and how I can be a light throughout the day, and then I leave my house and the world attacks. It's not big things, just little jabs hour by hour and day by day. I don't know if this means that God wants me to change my environment or to do something different. So, I have prayed and tried to seek new opportunities, but nothing has materialized. I just don't know what to do.
In times like these, all we can do is heed the words of Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." Or, as The Message Bible reads, "Stop striving..." and know. We can tire ourselves out struggling and striving to figure God out or we can sit back and watch Him work things out. I know it's easier said than done, but I am praying that I can make it a reality in my life, and if you are struggling, that you can do the same in yours. What do you do when you don't know what to do? Nothing...be still. Ms. EV |
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