Have you ever been looking for your sunglasses everywhere...I mean, where in the world could you have put them? They must be somewhere! Only to realize 10 minutes later that they're still securely sitting atop your head?
Sometimes I feel like that's a great illustration of the Christian walk. God is always with us...ready to protect us, to help us see, but we often are frantically searching EVERYWHERE else, instead of looking right were He is.
My sunglasses had been lost for a while.
I mean, I knew I needed God. I wanted to live my life for Him. I was looking everywhere trying to find Him, but I wasn't finding what I was looking for because really I needed to be looking in a mirror. The Holy Spirit lives in me, and I needed to be listening to his prompting. He was telling me what I needed. Who I needed. Him.
26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 14:26
I knew I needed to spend more time in God's word. I knew I needed to find a community of believers where I could learn, and feel accepted, and not worry about keeping up with this, that, or the other thing. And yet, time and again, I would talk myself out of it. "I have limited time because I work, and I help in Aubrey's classroom, and I have MyGym with Juliet, and I have to get clothes ready/chores done so we all survive my work days....there's no way I can keep up with the homework of a Bible study, I don't know enough about the Bible, I don't really fit in with that group of people, etc, etc".
Satan was attacking!
But the Holy Spirit was louder. "You need to figure SOMETHING out. You NEED God. You need My Word! I WILL MAKE IT WORK!"
And He did. I started going to a Community Bible Study out in Shafter. It just so happens to be on the one free day I have each week. It has childcare, and it's been such a blessing. I have mainly older ladies in my core group (I'm talking 60+ yrs old). And I love them. I love their wisdom, their compassion, their hospitality. I love the younger ladies too, but there's just something about old people that I love. I love studying the word of God! I've learned so much! It just so happens that what we were studying goes along with the series we were studying at church. It also corresponds with 6th grade ancient history. And the puzzle pieces are starting to fit...to make sense. (I've always said I'm a "baby Christian" because I didn't grow up studying the Bible so I lack background). God speaks to me through the Holy Spirit and His Word EVERY SINGLE WEEK. He knew just what I needed, all I needed to do was look in the obvious spot, His word.
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
If you are feeling like there is something missing in your life...like you need something, get plugged into a Bible study with a community of believers. You won't regret it!
4 comments:
Barbie, I used to go to CBS! I gave it up three years ago when I started homeschooling because I was overwhelmed. Now I'm slowly cutting out different things in my life to make it simpler, with less running around, etc., and I was just thinking yesterday that maybe I should consider re-joining CBS next fall. The ladies there are wonderful! And yes, there are definitely more older ladies but they have some words of wisdom that enrich us younger ladies. It fits right in with Titus 2:3-5. :) I'm so glad to hear you have enjoyed CBS!!
LOOOOOOVE love love. Boy those ladies are blessed to have you in their group! Such a great sunglasses illustration!
Barbie, I am so glad that you getting so much out of the study! It's worth the drive, right? Thank you so much for sharing...I love to hear how God is working in your life!
Girl - I DID grow up in church and learning the Bible and I am STILL a baby Christian! So don't be down on yourself about that at all. I am on my 3rd Beth Moore study with a great group of ladies and I am learning SO much! We did Daniel first, and all I knew from childhood was "Daniel and the Lion Den"...come to find out that is about 10 verses of the entire 12 chapter book of Daniel! Who knew?!
And I think you hit the nail on the head, maybe without even knowing it...you kept making excuses and when you finally committed, God placed the perfect (right time/day, childcare, etc) study in your lap! He is beyond amazing - I just can't comprehend sometimes!
I'm so curious to know what you are studying! FB me! :) If my group ever takes a break, I may look into that Shafter group.
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