When you know that it is time for a change, how do you handle it? Do you jump right in or do you take time to mull it over and see how it settles with you? Do you pray and listen for God’s voice to answer you before you take a leap? Doing things differently than you have done them in the past is sometimes intimidating. We grow comfortable in the patterns of our daily lives and the way things are, even if they are not serving us or God anymore. Even if they are not serving God anymore…we hold on because we have settled into being lukewarm, but God says,
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3
Perfect peace is found when we abandon the fear that keeps us holding onto things that are no longer working. Fear says, “I will hold you close and not let you go because if I let you go...” but perfect trust says, “I will let go and let God. I trust that He will supply my needs and care for me in this area of my life.” Peace is derived from trust. If we have no trust, we have no peace.
But what about those hard places? How do we trust in the hard places? When we feel afraid, we simply open our hands and pour out all of the fear. Palms to God. “I am yours. I empty myself to you, Lord.” Perfect peace says, “For my yoke is easy and the burden is light.” Matthew 11:30
Are you holding onto something that keeps you in a lukewarm place? I’ve been there, in the lukewarm. We either have to give up or give in and surrender. When we hold things so closely to us, it’s as if we think we can control things and yet, letting loose is so liberating. The God of mercy, hope and grace invites you to open your palms. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and has a hope and a future for you.
When we sense that it is time to do things differently, perhaps it is an opportunity for something new to be born–something beautiful that God put inside of you that He wants to bring to life. When we trust and lean will take us to new levels. Perhaps it is time to put to rest the things that have kept you lukewarm because a lukewarm spirit has no life or nourishment.
He died on the cross, nail scarred hands that we might trust. He bore our brokenness so that we might not carry it with us or hold it so tightly…because being afraid to do things differently and allowing our spirit to become lukewarm says that He is not in us. Christ did things differently. His life was different. His ministry was different. He was passionate and jumped right in. He was not lukewarm. Perfect peace is found when we abandon the fear that keeps us holding onto things that are no longer working.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A wonderful post dear Mary, for where my life is going right now. New developments are forming faster than I can grasp them to ponder how they will all fit into this new begining. As my frenzied mind tries to take over, I draw closer to the Lord. Envisioning my arms loaded with so many questions with no answers and giving it all over to God. The familiar life is fading into yesterday…I must she’d the familiar and grasp onto the new life that the Lord has placed before me. God knows the way..I will trust and follow Him.
Thank you, Susan. I continue to pray for God to bring you peace and joy in the midst of things changing for you. Perhaps a shift from the way things are is a good thing and you are walking into something new and exciting–a change of pace and scenery. I know all will be well and I have seen you grow and adapt to new situations time and time again. Bless you, my sister.
Perfectly timed post for where I am in life. I have stated trying to push myself to try new things and expand my horizons as I seem to have settled into a lukewarm life. Having just celebrated my 60th birthday, I don’t want to wake up down the road wishing I had done this or tried that. So often we are paralyzed by the fear of failure that we just stay where it is comfortable and familiar. Thank you for a thought-provoking post. Big love to you!
Leslie,
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I look at your blog and see you doing so many wonderful things and pushing yourself. Certainly, being in this season of empty nesting and retirement has forced you to do things differently, but I think you are far from lukewarm. You seem to be full of passion for life and learning. You inspire me in so many ways.
xoxo.