Have you ever done something just so you didn't feel left out? You went to a dinner or get together already way over-committed. You had no real desire to go but you didn't want to be the only girl who didn't belong or wasn't there. I am totally this girl. I have been there, done that. I commit for the mere fact of being part of the group; feeling part of something.
I recently decided to make some changes in my life. Nothing too grand but changes nonetheless. If you know me, you know I am NOT a change girl. No-siree-bob. I like to know what's coming and have a schedule. A few years ago I was forced into change. There was a situation in my life where, for the betterment of my family and I, I had to make some hard and serious changes. I knew that if I made these changes and I was honoring God He would open new doors into a new chapter and He did in a mighty and tremendously wonderful way. He molded me into a new person and I am forever grateful for the change that occurred. However, at the time, I questioned and fought the change not realizing that if I just let go and followed His lead He would bless me and move me into a richer time in my life.
Our church just went through a change. We opened our third campus and pretty much everyone we knew transitioned to the new campus. We stayed at our central campus because it is closest to us. While I still LOVE my church, it is a difficult transition but I am excited for the change hoping to create new relationships with people I may have never met had this change not happened. Every semester we have a women's Bible study. I ALWAYS do these studies. They are my way to connect to the women of Hope and be challenged and accountable to God. After much consideration and realizing that our family needs a break from the rush and busyness, I asked a girlfriend to do a study with me in a more intimate setting challenging each other one-on-one. I told some friends that I would not be participating in the spring study because I didn't want to commute one more time on one more night during an already busy week and wouldn't you know, our new campus offers the study on my day off when I have no kids and totally have the time to be there.
I weighed this option, talked it out with a friend and Scott, prayed, and went back and forth with myself about why I should do the study at church. You know what? None of my reasons had anything to do with the study. Not one. My reasons had nothing to do with God or wanting to do the study. I wavered going because all my friends were going to be there. I wanted to go because I wanted to be a part of the group. I didn't want to feel left out or like I was missing something. Those, my friends, are not reasons to do a Bible study. I was blow drying and straightening my hair (I have a ton so I had a lot of time to think) the other night and clear as day I heard God say to me, "If you are always following what others are doing than I cannot do what I want for you." Oh good gravy this was AMAZING. These words were EXACTLY what this girl needed to hear. If I am always looking at others always floundering to fit in or be a part of some group so much so that I am following them and not Him then I am doing it wrong.
Isn't it funny that you would think these types of thoughts and feelings wouldn't happen at church or for a church function. Yet, we are human and imperfect and God works through us everywhere at all times. I am so thankful God speaks to me and slaps some sense into this girl.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24
“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Psalm 22:8
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Love & Blessings,
Megan
I recently decided to make some changes in my life. Nothing too grand but changes nonetheless. If you know me, you know I am NOT a change girl. No-siree-bob. I like to know what's coming and have a schedule. A few years ago I was forced into change. There was a situation in my life where, for the betterment of my family and I, I had to make some hard and serious changes. I knew that if I made these changes and I was honoring God He would open new doors into a new chapter and He did in a mighty and tremendously wonderful way. He molded me into a new person and I am forever grateful for the change that occurred. However, at the time, I questioned and fought the change not realizing that if I just let go and followed His lead He would bless me and move me into a richer time in my life.
Our church just went through a change. We opened our third campus and pretty much everyone we knew transitioned to the new campus. We stayed at our central campus because it is closest to us. While I still LOVE my church, it is a difficult transition but I am excited for the change hoping to create new relationships with people I may have never met had this change not happened. Every semester we have a women's Bible study. I ALWAYS do these studies. They are my way to connect to the women of Hope and be challenged and accountable to God. After much consideration and realizing that our family needs a break from the rush and busyness, I asked a girlfriend to do a study with me in a more intimate setting challenging each other one-on-one. I told some friends that I would not be participating in the spring study because I didn't want to commute one more time on one more night during an already busy week and wouldn't you know, our new campus offers the study on my day off when I have no kids and totally have the time to be there.
I weighed this option, talked it out with a friend and Scott, prayed, and went back and forth with myself about why I should do the study at church. You know what? None of my reasons had anything to do with the study. Not one. My reasons had nothing to do with God or wanting to do the study. I wavered going because all my friends were going to be there. I wanted to go because I wanted to be a part of the group. I didn't want to feel left out or like I was missing something. Those, my friends, are not reasons to do a Bible study. I was blow drying and straightening my hair (I have a ton so I had a lot of time to think) the other night and clear as day I heard God say to me, "If you are always following what others are doing than I cannot do what I want for you." Oh good gravy this was AMAZING. These words were EXACTLY what this girl needed to hear. If I am always looking at others always floundering to fit in or be a part of some group so much so that I am following them and not Him then I am doing it wrong.
Isn't it funny that you would think these types of thoughts and feelings wouldn't happen at church or for a church function. Yet, we are human and imperfect and God works through us everywhere at all times. I am so thankful God speaks to me and slaps some sense into this girl.
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:24
“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Psalm 22:8
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
Love & Blessings,
Megan
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