This is part of a book study that we are doing at Lelia's blog. We are reading and studying Lysa Terkeurst's book What Happens when Women Walk in Faith. It is never too late to join us. It would take no time for you to catch up... this book is an easy read.
Chapter 4 Loving God more than my dream
Just the title of the chapter was enough for me. If I didn't take anything else from those seven pages... I heard from God as I read the title, Loving God more than my dream. My family is going through a very difficult time financially... really bad, and it is causing us to literally give up many things that I don't want to give up. One of those being our camper. We love going to the beach and staying in the camper. It is the most relaxing time I have ever known with my family. No cares, No schedules, No anything... but just being together and having fun. It has been breaking my heart to think about giving it up... but then, I read the title. Do I love God more than my dream?? Now... I know that my camper is not really my "DREAM", but it is "dream" for the summer and my family. It is part of my agenda. It is part of my plans.
Lysa said many things in this chapter that spoke directly to my heart...
"Walking with God will always take you to amazing places, but it won't always be where you thought you wanted to go, and the road won't always be easy."
"Don't second guess what God is doing. Rather look for ways to dig deeper into His Word, His character, and His faithfulness in this time. Growing deep roots isn't easy."
"Remember, this journey will be a lot less about the places He will eventually take you and much more about the relationship He establishes with you along the way."
"like a self centered two-year old, we scream, "Mine, Mine, Mine"... but God can never let that be the cry of our hearts."
So... I have heard God. His plan is much better than mine. I cannot see how this will bring Him glory... but I know that He can. He is much wiser than I am. Thankfully....
On to chapter 5 The Famine
Lysa continued to speak God's soothing Words over my heart. Several of those things were...
"feeling the pain of surrender"... (I am feeling the pain, but I am surrendered to His plan.)
"knowing that God has a good plan even in the discomfort"
"Faith is learned through life"
"How vitally important it is for us to surrender our hearts to God and ask Him daily to reveal His plans and perspectives to us... so that we don't miss His activity and His glorious plans for our future."
During the personal study time Lysa had us go through Psalm 15, and Psalm 24:3-6
These Psalms told us of characteristics that God looks for in His people... and then we had to reflect on which ones we would like to work on during this study. I need some work, ladies.
In 1 Samuel 16:7, we read that God looks at the heart... not the outside like we do. Then we were asked to reflect on some of our "heart issues" that we need to ask God to help us with... and my list was quite lengthy. I have read this verse many times... even quoted it a few times... but I have never stopped to really think about all the "issues" that God sees when He looks at my heart. I was moved to tears. Pain, hurt, shame, anger, bitterness, embarrassment, favoritism, wrong motives, pride, and the list kept going. I long to have a pure heart before God. I can hide these things from some of you... but I cannot hide them from God.
I think that most of the ladies going through this book right now have "big dreams" of writing books, articles, and such.... but right now... my dream is to get through life with a pure heart and deep roots. I want God to use me. I cannot imagine what His plan could possibly be... but I want to get there.
I thank you ladies for allowing me to go through this with you. God is using this to personally speak to me right where I am... right now.
As I have mentioned before... my children will be going to school this year. We have homeschooled for some time now. I will have lots of time on my hands. I know that God has something for me to do, I just don't know what it is right now. I pray that I will allow Him to use me in whatever it is. As we move through this book... I find that my heart grows softer and softer to His.
If you are interested in how these chapters spoke to the other ladies... just click here.
1Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared in give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
16 comments:
Lynn,
I think these two chapters spoke more to my heart, than any of the previous chapters. You did a great re-view by the way!
May we dream GOD dreams....bigger than life, because He is much bigger than we can hope, think or imagine!
Love,
Yolanda
PS: Something I am pondering, what am I expecting out of this life here on earth? To me, it goes right along with our two chapters.
This was great stuff, Lynn. I crave to be soft to Him. I feel like I've hardened up a bit again. I just want to be with Him, and serve Him.
This was a beautiful reminder!
Blessings!
Lynn, I think I need to borrow that book when your done with it.
"Don't second guess what God is doing. Rather look for ways to dig deeper into His Word, His character, and His faithfulness in this time. Growing deep roots isn't easy."
I believe that is what He would have me to do now in my own circumstances. Get out of His way and stop interfering with what He is trying to do. It's all about trust isn't it? Do I really trust that what He is doing is better than anything I could conjure up? And that He is able to change people and circumstances so much better than I am. Do I want my outcome(temporary), or His(eternal)?
Wow! This isn't easy. May He give us all the grace to do it though, and bring Him glory.
Lynn, you quoted two of the statements that I think hit me the hardest in ch. 4. Walking with God doesn't always take us where we thought but it is always amazing. Don't second guess what God is doing. period. I hadn't realized that in my thinking and wondering what He is doing in my life with a particular relationship that I was second guessing how He's handling it.
When I hear of the word "dream" the first thought is not of writing aspirations or books. Yes, that would be a lovely thing down the road but the dream of my heart is not something I think God is asking me to leave behind because it follows His Word. However, I can see that as righteous as my dream is and as much as it aligns with His Word, He still wants me to want Him more than my dream...my dream of a dead marriage restored to life...my dream of a marriage deceived into the legal system of divorce come to life and be reborn to magnificent places for HIS glory. Yes, it is a righteous dream that would give Him all the glory but, but I say, even still, I am to want Him more than I want that resurrected marriage. That's hard because I see them as one. I see them as working side by side.
Something to ponder and work on.
I didn't have time to read ch. 5 so I cannot comment on that. Doesn't appear I'll be posting on my blog about it either.
Blessings,
Paula
Lynn,
the way that God is getting the glory is to see you give up what you need to, to take care of your families needs, and I've known God in peoples lives to give them back even more because they surrendered to what He was telling them to do. So don't lose faith that you may have to at this time give up a dream, just sit back and watch how God may move later.
I think that God sees additional things when he looks at your heart. He sees sincere and earnest desire in you to know him more. That, my friend, is what he's after. Your reflection of all the "yuck" is simply part of the process. A healthy part; but don't linger there too long. The enemy knows how to target our most honest and raw evaluation of ourselves.
Lynn, I will be praying for you and the many transitions taking place in your life. For all of the dreams your are "surrendering" this day, God will replace with his. And his dreams? They breathe big and immeasurably more than all we could ask for or imagine.
peace~elaine
Lynn:
My family and I have been through some tough financial times. Right after we moved to Raleigh, life feel apart. I knew He told us to move here so I was baffled by why He allowed my husband's transfer to fallthrough. Why was He allowing my husband to be unemployed for SO long. We are still digging out of that hole today. But I can tell you that it has brought us closer to God and closer to each other. We've committed to our church family in a way we never did or probably would have in Chicago.
Did I see all that then? Absolutely not. My heart was breaking. I questioned God, why why why. I got to a point where I laid claim to this verse, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15) and trust Him I did. I'm still trusting Him. I know you will do the same. He loves you and His plans for you are bigger than even your camper.
In Christ,
Mari
Lynn-I will be praying for you as you go through these changes. Keep focused on Him and await His plan and His blessings He has planned for you as you walk in faith!!
In His Graces~Pamela
Lynn, that was a beautiful post!
"knowing that God has a good plan even in the discomfort"
This quote spoke to me so much as I lay here in bed after back surgery. I told my family if God is allowing me to have to be confined to bed rest for a month, He must really want my attention! I am trying very hard to give it to him......It is a struggle, because as a mom, laying in bed and doing no housework, does not come naturally to me at all.
Anyway, thank you for sharing your heart so openly and honestly. It is hard to let go of what we love, while we wait for God to send us something so much better.
God Bless,
Amy:)
Beautiful and powerful words you shared here, Lynn. Thank you for taking the time to write a post on this. It goes right along with what I'm learning in my Stepping Up studies right now and I am moved deeply by these words: "Don't second guess what God is doing. Rather look for ways to dig deeper into His Word, His character and His faithfulness in this time. Growing deep roots isn't easy."
All I can say is AMEN and AMEN!!
~Kelly
Great thoughts Lynn! I will be praying for you & your family as you give up something you love. Believe that your obedient heart & loving Him more than the camper will not go unnoticed by your King! HOW EXCITING!!!
Hey, Lynn!
Thanks for visiting my post today! Yours was so insightful! I 'm with you there about the dreams. I'm not sure where God is leading me either.
I read a few of your other posts, and just loved the one about your daughter and volleyball practice! It spoke volumes to me! Yep, I will not go quietly where God sometimes is leading. I'm not kicking and screaming--just complaining, questioning, and procrastinating.
I grew up near Rock Hill. Y'all had the closest mall to us for "big" shopping! Have you ever heard of Heath Springs?
Blessings,
Susan
Lynn,
I appreciate your thoughts on these chapters, it's good to read Lysa's words, but real beneficial to see the thoughts they bring to mind for every one else as well. I love the part where you mentioned everyone else's "big dreams" and I'm one of those people who mentioned a book and honestly I feel that has to be God because the idea of sharing my personal experience with the world scares me. But I especially though your comment about growing deep roots and being used by Him is the dream we all need to have. God's blessings as you work to live that out in your life, Jill
Lynn,
It's me again and just wanted to thank you for your words yesterday, your blog created some good thoughts. Your words about "big dreams" really had me thinking, which was good. Shared a bit about it on my blog today. Anyway thanks for reminding it's not about the dreams, whether they be big or small, it's growing closer to Him. Blessings, Jill
Lynn, these were great chapters, weren't they? I loved them, mostly because they addressed me where I am right now. God is doing a marvelous work in your life and I praise Him for your sweet spirit. It's tough, but your heart is beautiful and a shining testament to Him.
Lynn:
Youve been tagged! Stop by my blog to see what you need to do. It's fun. Enjoy!
Mari
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