What's you fortune?

Well you might have noticed that I haven't posted in awhile. These last couple of weeks have been quite busy, between my crazy schedule, my computer not cooperating on a regular basis, and moving I've had very little time to post. But by Sunday, the moving will be done, my schedule will be almost back to normal, and well so far my computer isn't giving me too much trouble! :)

I've been having mixed emotions lately about what I want to share and that has also caused me to shy away from posting. I don't want to be the person who is always complaining or always struggling, but I also want to be real. And so I've hesitated to post anything, using my busyness as an excuse to be silent.

I've been struggling with being overwhelmed. I am busy 7 days a week and I'm not complaining, but I do find in my busyness the first thing that tends to go is my Bible Reading time, and then because I feel guilty about not reading my prayer life can sometimes, but not always, wane. And I've been feeling defeated and although I know what I need to do, I was convincing myself I just don't have the time. This is not good!

Last week I took one of our residents where I work out on a one-on-one. We went out to dinner and then went Christmas shopping. This resident is one of my favorites (but don't tell anyone). We went out to dinner at the Chinese buffet and I have a little tradition whenever I go with someone, not to pick my own fortune. Now I don't put stock in them and think they hold the answers, but there have been times where they've reminded my of God's truths. So when the bill came I asked the kid I was with to pick his fortune, thereby also picking mine. He opened his fortune and it said, "Romance will change your direction." What a thing a 12 year old boy wants to hear right? Wrong. Well, I thought, I wish that one had been mine! I opened mine, ate my cookie, then read my fortune: You were made to be a champion. Wow, in that little cookie God so clearly reminded me that I was not to walk around defeated that He had made me a champion.

The Bible says that we are Victorious! Not because of anything we have done, but because God has already won the war! I had forgotten some of my favorite verses in my defeated state.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39.

In my distress I had forgotten that I was not to be walking around defeated, I am MORE THAN A CONQUEROR! But not on my own or in my own strength, but through Him who loves me! When I try and accomplish life in my strength I can quickly become overwhelmed, and distressed, and defeated. And that's exactly what the enemy wants. He wants me to take my eyes off of the One who loves me and put them on myself. Why? Because then I am an easy target! When my eyes are on me, and my strengths, and my gifts, and my work I forget the One who called, the One who gifted me, the One who has made me more than a conqueror. And I'm glad that even in my state of shame, He used a stupid cookie to remind me of His Word.

This is why it's so important spending time "hiding" God's Word in our heart. If I had never memorized those verses, God would have had a hard time reminding me that I am more than a conqueror. He might have been able to use an old message or something like that, but my confidence doesn't come from what I've heard the pastor say, but from what I've read and memorized and learned from God's Word for myself. We need to develop personal relationships with God, because the only thing that will get you through the times of feeling defeated will be what you know to be true about the God that you serve.

So maybe like me you've been walking through the valley and trying to make it on your own. Trying to prove to God that you can do this job that He's given you. Maybe your thinking to prove yourself to Him. Let me share with you what I'm learning, as long as you do it on your own you will be defeated. Look to the Author and Finisher of your faith. Remember that He who began the work in you will be faithful to finish it. Somewhere along the line I took over writing the story that God began. Let me tell you, that because of that this chapter isn't looking so hot, God is the Author of my story, and I must stay in communication with Him. The only way to do that is by reading my Bible and praying and not when I have time, but on a daily basis. I must keep my relationship with the Lover of my Soul strong, because that is how I will be the champion that God is calling me to be.

So what's your fortune? You were also made to be a champion! Will you trust God today to finish the work He began, will you like me realign yourself with God's plan for your life. Believe me, it makes all the difference!