Let My Soul Be Still, That I May Listen to Hear the Voice of My Lord

Sometimes encouragement is needed; to stay steadfast in obedience to our Lord.  Just as our friends encourage us to stay on a diet or exercise routine, to write a blog or start a project, to hold onto our principles, to see us through some tough mommy times, they also must help us stay focused on Christ. And those friends will need to come from the body of Christ. You will need to have men and women of faith to build you up, that rally behind you, that share your burdens and prayers because if you are alone the race your running (Hebrews 12:1-2) will be so very hard. 

If your one that checks back to see if a new post has been published you’ll have noticed I’ve been slacking.  And it’s not because I’m overwhelmed with busyness, its more ~ I’ve been spiritually overwhelmed, which is a greater and deeper problem...because I spiritually shut down. 

But I didn't even seek out God to lead me...

I will tell you this chapter of my story; This summer was a bit strange in a way that bordered the boundaries of both normalcy and insanity. Though forums have been around since the dial-up internet of old, I never partook and when I entered one via Facebook it was new to me and as with all welcomed new things, comes fun.  The Forum shortly became forums and my summertime leisure was all tied up debating and talking about Christ within many different denominations. Never in the five years since my baptism did I ever define myself or my walk with Christ with a denomination, and over the summer months, I squeezed myself into a denominational mold that "best" described the theology that I am taught at my non-denominational, evangelical free, bible believing church...Reformed Baptist. 

You know Theology is a clever thing and it can be wielded as both a tool to better grasp the nature of God or as a weapon that welds the very thing we are supposed to be rid of as we draw closer to Christ, sin. The deeper I delved into these Theological forums the further from Christ I moved. Because I allowed myself to be pushed around by the puffed-up winded words of men instead of allowing myself to be lead by my Glorious Shepherd.  

2 Corinthians 10:5

Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

This left me in a very vulnerable place as I did not pray, I did not read my bible, not a single daily devotional, I was sick of my routine hearing of Christian talk radio...so I replaced them all with t.v. and music. Summer ended with me spiritually on empty. I continued a zombified daily diet of Facebook, though I pulled away from the forums, I was now "addicted" and on to an embarrassing degree. And no one rebuked me, no one checked on me, no one really even noticed I was not smiling at church, or knew I didn't care to be there...because no one there really knows me well enough.  

It's an awkward place, where I stand...one foot in the circle, one foot out.  

There was a great schism in my church family, those that left were those that I bonded with most. And because I was not involved in any of the matters that caused the divorce I stayed. I stayed and smiled and conversed on Sundays with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and of course conveniently cyber hi-five(d) my church friends on Facebook. But as time moved into the summer and now into Autumn, my smile has faded.  Having small children and no means for a steady babysitter has made it impossible to attend any of my church's bible studies, closing the door for a deeper fellowship. My husband, being an unbeliever cannot even begin to fathom what ales me, and therefore can offer no spiritual leadership. My Pastor now taking on the role of 3 pastoral duties, while the stress of the schism and family woes keep him ~ he has little to no time. So I sit and watch as a few women in my church, who have bonds, take each other's children and go on trips together. Some, as their believing husbands watch their small children so that they may fellowship and attend studies for the benefit of their spiritual growth.  So I recoil, and in my overwhelmed state become bitter. 

In the midst of my bitter wayward wandering from the Lord, I get this Facebook friend request from one of my favorite people that left my church, and after we played catch up, I was invited to attend a bible study community.  

It was like God just opened a door and said: "get in here!"  And though I never lost complete touch with those I bonded to, life as a way of getting in the way if time is not set aside for fellowship...but like an opened spigot they poured back into my life, so happy for me to join them at their new church and for me to meet their new church family. 

The best part is...the community, children are welcomed! They are expected to be there because their parents are there. How warm to a mother seeking fellowship but felt ostracized because of the young ages of her children.  

I have been blessed despite my disobedience.  

These verses from God's Word are what I seek, is what all believers should seek...and give;

1 Cor 12:7 ~ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Pet 4:10 ~ Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Rom 12:10 ~ Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Heb 13:16 ~  And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Rom 1:11-12 ~ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong–that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

1 Th 5:11 ~ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Titus 1:9 ~ He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Heb 3:13 ~  But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Heb 10:25 ~ Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Heb 10:24 ~ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

1 John 1:7 ~ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.