In my last post, I summarized my life as it was last year, and mentioned that God had given me a task for this year, which is to be in the moment, present.
And, as March comes around, I’m noticing the small ways God is working in my heart to do just that.
Be still. Be present. Actually talk to that person.
Over the last couple of months, I’ve come across people that I may not have had the capacity to be there for, but the Lord has given me the grace to sacrifice my time, desires, thoughts, priorities—He has shown me what dying to myself looks like, and it’s honestly so rewarding.
The Lord rewards those who are faithful to Him.
There was a lady recently that I had spoken to, and before our conversation began, I had already made plans to go somewhere else, to do something else for somebody else, and yet she stopped me and I decided to be open to what God has for me. It might not sound like much, but when you’re busy and you’re focused on the task at hand, it can be difficult to set that aside and focus on the person in front of you. Well, it’s hard for me.
But, I’ve learned that people are more important, and the tasks I’m given by others can sometimes wait (usually, it can wait). In the grand scheme of things, love is what makes the world go round, especially if you’re a believer. It’s not the things you do that matter as much as the way you interact with others, the way you show them Messiah’s love, the way you bear another’s burdens, the way you sacrifice your time and desires to be there for another person, whether they know and believe in God or not. In the end, love wins.
And, in this conversation, as I chose to listen to this person and respond, I was the one encouraged. I left that conversation knowing that God had used me for good in someone else’s life, simply because I chose to listen. I chose to be still instead of to serve. While service is good, and doing good for others is important, service does not actually trump presence. Out of being present should service come.
Realizing that and making that mental switch has been challenging, yet all the things I do for people don’t matter if I don’t love them first. Recently, I was reminded of “The Proof of Your Love,” and the message of love.
Perhaps in being present, I’m allowing God’s love to be revealed.
How I leave people is more important than the things I do for them. My validation comes not from the things I do, but from the way I reflect my Savior in my day-to-day life. Because my identity is in the Lord, the things I do should automatically come from the love He has instilled in me. I don’t get more love because I serve more. Quite the contrary, I am able to serve more because I love more.
It’s a beautiful lesson to learn, even when I wondered at what cost do I give life up for others? At all costs, really. Yeshua gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20; John 15:13), and my life will never be enough to even begin to give Him the honor, worthy, and glory He deserves. While, yes, it’s important to take time to rest and take time with the Lord and study and worship, but as my cup overflows, I’m able to pour into others. The more I pour, the more God overflows my cup.
And that, my friends, is the most beautiful thing of being in the moment.
I’ll still struggle as I learn and grow. There will be a new lessons for me to learn as I grow, but until then, seeing the joy of the Lord in the little moments and realizing how God operates has been encouraging.
Until next time, be blessed, my friends.
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” —John 10:11, TLV
“… but have not love, I gain nothing.” —1 Corinthians 13:3, and the rest of the chapter, TLV
Truly Loved + Wholly Surrendered 
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