"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
Alright, I'm going to admit it up front. I have NO problems! Whew! I feel so much better now. Sounds like I should be relieved, right? No worries, no stresses, no problems, no headaches, etc. NO problems!
Don't think too fast on that one. I DO have a NO problem...I don't say "No" very well. As women, we are the Queens of "Yes". When asked to help with a project? "Sure I can!" When asked to volunteer on a committee? "Of course I can!" When asked to help plan a party, work on a fundraiser, volunteer our time at a worthy cause, many of us have NO problems! WE CAN'T SAY NO!
I certainly fall into this category, and a recent conversation with a dear friend helped to bring it to crisp clarity. I started listing all the things I'm involved with:
*I work at a non-profit organization that works with folks who have disabilities and these next few months, though my last with this agency, will be the busiest of my entire year!
*I serve on the Board of Directors with Old Courthouse Theatre, our local community theater. I am the Volunteer Coordinator. I have the Usher Coordinator, the Concession Coordinators, Fundraising and Volunteer Event Programs under my purview. In with Fundraising, we are producing a special Halloween production and it seems as though there are a million different things to be done with that show. There's a monthly Board of Directors meeting (that only lasted about 3 hours this week). There's also a monthly meeting of all those coordinators...at my house...YIKES...it's tomorrow and I gotta sweep, get rid of any cobwebs, dust, make taco soup, ummmm, oh yeah, clean toilets! All that fun stuff....
*I am always involved politically and enjoy that, though my mom who is an elected official is now retiring, so I will be as well! (Thank ya Jesus!)
*Recently, I was overjoyed to be asked to join a local nonprofit with a world-wide focus as their Executive Director. In this realm, I'll be using my background with non-profits, ministry, passion for worship, administrative skills, etc. to help turn the world upside down with a fantastic team of people who desire nothing more than to help others learn how worship can be (and frankly, is) a way of life. Amazing, and Thank You Father!!
*I long to begin writing in a more focused way. I've been to some workshops recently. I have books and magazines and articles I need to read.
*That desire to return to school and get my Master's in Counseling is always in the back of my mind.
*WHEW! I'm exhausted just typing all that!
As a Christ-follower, I'm called to make a difference every day to impact the kingdom of God. While here on earth, my #1 priority should be to seek out those things of God that He equips me to do. Can I DO all those things that I listed above? Of course. Then again, I'll also be exhausted and want to stick my face into a gallon of Rocky Road in despair.
Yes, I CAN do all things through Christ who gives me strength. His strength is perfect; mine is far from it. My new prayer is that, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in me, my priorities will begin to come into crystal clear focus. I'd like to have a laser sharp vision for what I'm being called to do, so that I know I'm walking in the center of His will for my life.
Do you do things because you can or because you're called? Join me on this journey to daily living in His presence and His passion for me life.
