Are You in a "Sweet Spot" or a "Dry Spot?"

Lately, Chris’ work schedule has been wonderful and he has been home more.  And, the kids are starting to get up earlier in the morning.  So, trying to find time alone with God  – even for a few minutes – is difficult.  But the past few months of writing with Him has been amazing.  I don’t want it to end.  I want to do this each day.  I crave the time to sit in the quiet to think, pray and listen to God.  Everything within me longs for this time…  thinks about it…  strives for it.  And I do not want it to ever go away.

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Thank you, Father, for the deep desire within to have this time each day.  Thank you for the gentle reminder You daily give me across my heart.  I love longing for You and feeling incomplete until we spend time together. 

I long for you today.  I long for your peace.  I long to see Your hand.  I long for Your presence…  Your strength…  Guide me in the plans You have for me today.

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My Child,

Perseverance is the Word I want to encourage you with today.  Persevere through your challenges in order to accomplish what I have set before you.  I see your busy schedule and responsibilities.  I have given You many of them.  But do not let them be a distraction from Me. For if you will seek Me first, then everything will fall into place. 

Hide this truth in your heart and live it out each day.  Know I patiently wait for you every day.  And I am thrilled when we have our moments together.  You bring a smile to my face, sweet Daughter.  I have much to tell you, so keep listening.  For I know the plans I have for you.  Persevere, look to Me first in all things, listen.  And  then you will fulfill your calling…  and it is just for you J.

Your Coach in this race

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I have loved God since I was a little girl.  Life and faith were so simple then.  Some small children talk to imaginary friends, but I always talked to God.  I can remember lining up my stuffed animals and teaching them my Sunday School lesson.  I would talk to God about everything from my parents being “meanies” to Ken and Barbie’s latest troubles. 

As I got older, homework, friends, chores, volunteering, and after school jobs began to invade my time.  The simple life was getting more complicated. 

In Bible college, I had Bible classes and chapels to attend.  They were required.  And although I did have a season of rebellion, I actually enjoyed them for the most part. 

After Bible college, I entered “the real world.”  All the grown up responsibilities began to crowd in around me.  And 8 years later when my first son was born, “my time” became non-existent. 

Time with God had once been so easy.  And now it consisted of “please help my children sleep through the night so I can get some rest.”  I felt lost and disconnected.  I was still in full-time ministry, but I could not figure out how to have the quiet moments with God that I craved.

Have you been there?  Are you there now? 

Over the past few months, you have graciously allowed me to share pieces of my messy life with you.  Here is some more truth from my life. 

Even though I am in full-time ministry, I still have seasons of struggle with spending good, regular, intimate time with God.   The above entry was written on a day when I was in the “sweet spot” with Him.  But shortly thereafter, I hit a “dry spot” where I would open my Bible and not comprehend a word I was reading.  My mind would wander.  I wasn’t connecting.  And I knew it.  I could feel it.  And I didn’t like it. 

At that moment, I knew I had choices to make.  I could persevere through and be even more intentional with making time to pray and read something from His Word, or I could let my busy schedule and huge list of responsibilities take priority and say, “I’ll spend time with God tomorrow.” 

And, to be very transparent, there were days I would persevere and other days I would say, “Tomorrow.” 

Have you been there?  Are you there now?

So how do we stay in the “sweet spot” with Jesus? 

Let me leave you with these passages of scripture for now.  Read them and see what you learn from them.  Next week, we’ll dig in a little deeper and discover it together.

Hebrews 11:27, “It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible.” (NLT)

Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2 Peter 1:5-7, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”