I saw the movie WAR ROOM Friday night. I won’t give too much away about the story in case you haven’t seen it and plan to go. It is an excellent movie about turning to God and doing our fighting through prayer.
We are all struggling with something aren’t we? And if we aren’t right now we have been in the past. Or we undoubtedly will be in the future. There is always a fight against something. Instead of fighting against our struggles, this movie demonstrates the impact the power of prayer can have on our marriages, relationships, friendships, careers…and every area of our lives.
My fight for the longest time has been against myself.
A quote from the movie that spoke to me was “The greatest tragedy is not death, but life without purpose.” Myles Monroe
Through humility, I have found my purpose. “Humility points a finger at self and admits to being part of the problem.” ~ Max Lucado, Turn, p. 83
By coming to this realization that I am my own problem, instead of constantly pointing my finger at others, God has begun to heal me.
I read Lucado’s book Turn last night and finished it up today. It is a very fast read with a very important message. Lucado takes the following scripture and breaks it down into 94 pages outlining the importance of turning back to God and more importantly for our entire country to turn back to Him.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14
THAT IS POWERFUL!
He is waiting for us. When we turn to him, he will heal us.
And instead of constantly asking God what He can do for us, it is time to ask what we can do for HIM! “…When we pray for God’s kingdom to come, it comes.”
My struggles and fight against myself for so many years was not a punishment from God (as I once felt) but instead it was a lesson in humility, which has ultimately led me here…to my purpose.
I received several comments about my previous blog entry. (I truly appreciate comments and interaction and encourage you to leave comments if you desire.) This one showed up in my email inbox last week, from Bryan:
“Your words pour out with truth and honesty. The world craves to hear the good news that you just shared…that by His stripes…we are all healed. I’ve lived in pop-ups and burned out motels, but through it all, God was simply teaching me humility. Thanks for the share and check out my blog when you have time. Blessings! …all from the Maker!
(And with his permission I will happily share his blog link because it is beautiful and AMAZING! I will continue to read it! Check it out here 1manzstory.com )
His comment really made me think. I had a really good life growing up and I didn’t even realize it at the time. I didn’t appreciate what God had given me and was doing in my life. My life was not “perfect” so I focused on the negatives and always longed for more instead of being content with what I already had. Well, since then, and more recently, I have learned to do without a lot of comforts I had been used to my entire life. I do not live beyond my means anymore, trying to acquire more “things” that won’t add up to a hill of beans when I am gone.
It is Labor Day weekend and I originally had scheduled six days off in a row around this holiday and planned to fly to Washington State for a Dave Matthews weekend of music in a heavenly place called The Gorge (where I have been blessed enough to visit five times already). Financially though, it was not possible to go so I sold my tickets. In the past I would have gone anyway because I felt I “deserved” it. And even after cancelling I tried to swing a trip to the beach so I wouldn’t waste my vacation days. Not doable either. So instead, I worked Thursday and Friday. I am off today and did take a vacation day for tomorrow. And you know what? I am having the BEST stay-cation ever. I have done a few fun things (movie, cooking, bicycle ride, fire ceremony with a friend…you can read a bit about that on my Instagram page www.instagram.com/iamalive41 ), and I have done a lot of reading, writing, soul searching and PRAYING!
God is nowhere finished with me yet. Or YOU either! Today let’s ask Him what WE can do for Him instead of the other way around. We are His vessels. Let’s turn back to God. Let’s fight with LOVE. Let’s fight with PRAYER…not against each other and not against ourselves.
“The earnest prayer of the righteous man has great power.” ~ James 5:16
Thank you God for Your unfailing love, grace and forgiveness. Because of You I am ALIVE again!
Blessings and Happy Labor day!
Stacey ~ iamalive