Have you ever felt like life is just super smooth sailing and all seems to go well for you? Or, do you regularly struggle with a troubled mind, confusion, lack of ability to focus, or worry about just about everything?
If you are like me, you probably struggle with both sides of this equation. This is how life is for me when I live a life with God verses living a life without God.
Recently, God has been teaching me to consistently focus on His plans for using my time and talents. This starts with a daily reading of His word, spending time focused on Him, and praying for those He puts on my mind and heart. When I make time for these actions, God is so faithful to provide an abundance of blessings and answered prayers.
When I am focused on Him, He regularly whispers to me things I can do to bless others. He whispers for me to call a certain person, to send a message to someone, to go visit someone, to ask someone to lunch or to press more deeply into friendships. When I obey these promptings, it is absolutely amazing to see how the person He is pursuing is blessed.
They feel a gratitude and thankfulness that can only be pointed back to Him.
Whenever I stray away from prayer, reading His word, or listening for his promptings, life is hard...super hard. I am easily distracted, I make poor decisions, I screw up, I say the wrong things, I hurt others and myself. It is evident when I live with God and evident when I live without Him. Doing life without God is like being in a thunderstorm without an umbrella.
God is my umbrella and He is so amazing in the ways He protects me from the enemy. I have witnessed this many times in my life. He pursues his children relentlessly and all we have to do is tune in and follow His lead.
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
Jacquie Maxton grew up in Michigan, went to Michigan State University and worked as a Packaging Engineer for 12 years. She met her husband of 21 years in Appleton, Wisconsin while working for Kimberly-Clark. Together they have three children. She currently resides in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and works as a sixth grade science teacher in Jackson, Missouri.
Jacquie is passionate about her faith, family, and position as a teacher. She loves to run, read, travel, create, paint, and spend time with the people she loves. She is committed to God in knowing he is the source of life and she seeks to follow His prompting daily. Jacquie is also an encourager that loves to help others reach their goals. She is thrilled to use her strengths to serve Abundant and Free Ministry and is excited to witness all He has in store through A&FM.
So very true! Thank you for sharing!