I need a plan...
Another month is over and summer is in full swing. How did that happen? I am feeling like time is flying by...leaving me behind and I can't catch up. I have that "overwhelmed with everyday life" feeling. You know when you are doing a lot of things but you are not doing any of them very well. That's me.
I could tell you about all the things I have going on but you probably wouldn't feel sorry for me because the reality is EVERYONE is busy. I know. And I know that there are way bigger problems in this world than me feeling overwhelmed. That isn't the point of this post anyway. When I stopped this past week and looked at all this messiness in my life I realized that the root of my problem is this: I am slowly pushing my time with the Lord on the back burner. I'm letting other things that aren't as important steal my time.
Summer came, my Bible study ended, schedules changed and I didn't have a plan...or I thought about a plan but didn't act on it. I don't want another day to go by without a plan. And I am feeling like another 30 day challenge is just what I need. I want to make my time with the Lord the priority of my day again. I want to give each one of these summer days to Him. It would have made more sense to start on June 1, but I am starting today, June 4.
30 days.
On the last day of BSF, the leaders sang, Ancient Words. I had never heard it before, but the words hit me so strongly that day as I thought about the power of God's Word in my own life.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart.
Words of life, words of home
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home.
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
The Bible is God's precious gift to me...to you. Yet so often I don't treat it as a gift but more as an obligation that I will get to when it is convenient for me.
The Bible is God's very words to me.
Words that reveal God's heart.
Words that give life.
Words that give hope.
Words that give strength.
Words that help us cope.
Words that help us walk in this world.
Words that change us.
Have you experienced the changing power of God's Word in your own life? I have. And yet I still struggle to keep my time in the Word a priority. I still allow the unimportant to crowd out the important.
Through His Word I have experienced life...and hope...and joy...and strength...and the ability to cope in situations that I never thought I could live through. His words help me walk in a world that is full of so many hard things.
God's Word has changed me. And I want to continue to be changed...for the rest of my life...everyday.
So, before the summer slips by...
Today is the day.
I have a plan.
Everyday spend time alone with the Lord in His Word and in prayer.
For the next 30 days.
What to join me?
To find out more about the 30 day challenge check out these posts:
posted by the mcclenahans @ 6:00 AM
31 Comments:
I want to join you in this 30 day challenge! Thank you for the accountability!
joining!
Me!
I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling this way!!!!!!
I'm in!!! :)
I've had the exact same feelings! I'll happily be joining you!
I am so in!
I'm joining in! Thanks for that little push!
Janet
I am joining the challenge!
Chrisitna
for sure joining you!
I will join. :D
I'm up for this challenge! Thanks for this!
Me too!
Kim
My heart, exactly. Joining!
Yes! This. EXACTLY! I relate to pretty much every single word of this post. Thanks for challenging us! I'm thrilled to participate!
YES! This is exactly what I am needing. I joined you last time and need to join you again.
Thanks for the encouragement to do so. :)
I'm in... thank you!
God Bless you Jess. For being the gift you are to so many people. Many of us who are not fortunate to have ever had the pleasure of giving you a hug. But are inspired by you regardless.
Michelle x
I'm in :) thank you!
This is exactly what I needed!! I have been feeling the same way!! My quiet time feels more rushed- so I can get it done and get a quick fix but I need to really pause and spend time with Him! I want to join you too!!
For sure I'll join you!
I have been reading your blog since the gloomy day in January when a friend recommended I go there and pray for your sweet Cora. It's funny how the blog world is weird like that; I can know you but unless I comment--you'd never know it. I'm sorry about that. I too am a busy Mom. 4 kids (teenagers now) and on the awesome road we walk as believers in Christ.
Can I give you a suggestion? When you are cleaning, feeding the boys or paying bills --find a sermon speaker (I tend to choose Joyce Meyer or Beth Moore) and I hook it up to speakers while I am doing all the stuff that keeps us busy. It is AMAZING how much it will impact your perspective (sometimes life at home can be lonely while our husbands are out working....blessed yes, buy sometimes lonely too. It's in those moments that we can find AWESOME time to connect with God.)
Give it a try. I promise you won't regret it. And you can do it in addition to your time with God in the 30 Day Challenge!
Blessings,
Becky
can i ask what will you be reading during this time? any particular place in the Bible you will be starting? this sounds like a wonderful opportunity for me to be a part of, especially since my newest one is up at 5am and I can never go back to sleep then! what a perfect time to be reading hte word.
I really love your honesty. I appreciate that you come to your blog and share your real self. Thanks for that. Your walk with the Lord inspires and I would love to join you in the 30 day challenge.
I really get this post! =) I loved the part about being overwhelmed with everyday life stuff. I sooo get that!!!
I just started a plan. Check out youversion.com. It is holding me accountable and getting me in the Word daily! I am up for doing the challenge with you!!!
Kristin Amato
kma0405@att.net
Yes, I will take the challenge. I need the strength the words bring to my life. I like it when others inspire me to do better. Thanks!!
I'm in! Starting June 6.
Yes! Last time you did this, my daily walk was in full force. Now, a pregnancy & a baby later, it is definitely lacking, & I'm so ready to change that but am just being lazy! Ugh...I get on my nerves sometimes;). Thanks for doing this...I'm ready!
I'm starting a couple days late but I'm in. I need this. A couple weeks ago I finally listened to what God was telling my heart to make some changes in my eating - specifically to stop eating sweets about three times a day (breakfast, nap time and after my sweet one was in bed - anyone else do this?). I am reading Lysa Terkeurst's book Made to Crave and feel like I am conquering my sugar craving and I know God is helping me in this because on my own I couldn't do it but I don't feel like I'm growing as close to Him as I want to and I can feel myself holding back from Him because I want to be in control of my own life (I know I'm not really but I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this internal struggle.)
Anyway, one really long comment later, I am glad you are doing this challenge! Thanks, Jess! Kelly
Thank God for you! This is exactly what I need!
Our VBS is starting next week and this week has been a busy one taking care of my 3-year-old and almost 2-year-old plus trying to learn the skits since I am helping with the drama. And every day I think how can I fit it all in, plus go back to the daily Bible reading I was doing? But maybe the better question is: How can I do this VBS thing and mom thing and wife thing and housekeeper thing and NOT go back to the Bible reading I was doing? Thanks for the challenge. Starting today. Also am wondering what exactly you are reading in the Bible.
jess, thanks so much for featuring me! :) and wow how that photo does look like cora.... sweet boy.
happy summer!!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home