I've been feeling kind of discouraged lately. It's hard to meet people here. It's a city and people are busy. My Turkish teacher said I should go ask my neighbors for an extra lemon or something and then we would get to chatting. I haven't gotten up the courage to do it yet but I think I will.
I don't know what to do with all my time and I sometimes feel like I don't spend it well. I want to do the things the Lord wants me to do in every moment. I have to remind myself why I am here. Everyday as I look at the faces on the bus, I remember. But I wish I could talk to them.
I've been meditating on Hebrews 12 this month and this morning I was thinking that I need to lay aside every weight, like things that are not the most important thing. I am always needing to reevaluate those negotiable things in my life. And sin needs to go too, because it is slowing me down. When I sin, not only does it corrupt heart and mind but it keeps me from true joy and purposefulness. God said to me, "Lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." I know there are things I can do, disciplines I can stick to that will fill me with His strength. I am trying to plan more, so that I can be sure I am walking on the Father's path, in my time and my heart. I am a broken clay pot that He is healing and plans to use. Ask for perseverance. Thank you my friends.
Mandi,
ReplyDeleteRemember where your strength comes from!
Mandi - this morning I read:
ReplyDelete"I call on the Lord in my distress,
and he answers me" (Ps 120:1).
We're praying for you. May the Lord be glorified in your weakness.
Mandi,
ReplyDeleteWe are asking for perseverance for you! I'm sorry to hear you've been discouraged lately but I think it is a normal thing in your situation. I have been encouraged to witness your journey over the years to get to this point. I have the most wonderful memories of time spent with you as you came to help and play with the children. We print your letters and please know we are interceding!
Kelli Bolen
Hey Mandi! Someone just shared this with me, I hope it will encourage you too!
ReplyDelete“It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, 'Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of His children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.' All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: He tells us that we are nothing, but that 'Christ is all in all.' Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee – it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee – it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument – it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by 'looking unto Jesus.' Keep thine eye simply on Him; let His death, His sufferings, His merits, His glories, His intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to Him; when thou liest down at night look to Him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail thee.” -Spurgeon