So back in January, my brother's sweet girl friend invited me to participate in a group going through the book study on Biblical womanhood entitled Miss Perfect by Karin Conlee. For a plethora of reasons I won't go into right now, I did not want to participate. However, suffice it to say, the Holy Spirit prodded my stubborn heart into committing, and the study has been wrecking me--in the best way possible. (If you read this, thanks, L!!) I don't have time right now-- in less than 72 hours we'll be boarding a plane with 17 students to Ireland, Wales, England, and Paris for 11 days (craziness!) and I've got laundry to the ceiling and stacks of papers to grade--to list all of the ways that God has been revealing Himself as I have read and studied and journaled. BUT, as I just finished a lesson, I had to stop and scratch out a few thoughts here--if for no other reason than to serve as reminder for my own heart and head which quite frequently struggle with amnesia selfish short-sightedness.
So, here are the scriptures, thoughts, and commentary (by Karin Conlee) that have me wonderstruck, deeply convicted, and with God's help, progressing more towards the likeness of His Son.
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,[b] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his[c] kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 35 “Stay dressed for action[d] and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants[e] whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he[f] would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Praying this "attitude adjustment" infiltrates every area of my life--especially my marriage and my work. And I'm sure there will be no shortage of opportunities for the Lord to teach me just how gracious and patient He desires for me to be as we navigate multiple airports, hotels, bus rides, and new cultures with a band of energetic teenagers, some of whom have never even flown before! :) But what a privilege I have. To travel with my husband and an amazing colleague (and friend!) with some truly awesome kids to some incredible places. And every moment is an opportunity to shine Jesus. To bless others. Because my attitude--it's all about perspective, right?
All's Grace,
So, here are the scriptures, thoughts, and commentary (by Karin Conlee) that have me wonderstruck, deeply convicted, and with God's help, progressing more towards the likeness of His Son.
- I need to act first and trust my feelings to catch up.
- I should have an attitude good enough to bless others.
- Luke 6:27-28 (AMP) "But I say to you who are listening now to Me: [in order to heed, make it a practice to] love your enemies, treat well (do good to, act nobly toward) those who detest you and pursue you with hatred, Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]."
- My approach to others should be one of empathy and compassion rather than authority and pride.
- If we are waiting on circumstances to be right for us to have a good attitude, we never will.
- To me, one of the most beautiful passages in all of scripture.
{Luke 12:22-40 (ESV)}
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,[b] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his[c] kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 35 “Stay dressed for action[d] and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants[e] whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he[f] would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
- Seeking His Kingdom allows me to have His perspective and thus a different--better--attitude.
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rachael
