Taking a Step Back!

We have made some big changes in our family and we are continuing to do so each week!  God spoke to us about our time, money and how we live.  We had to step back and take a look at what was really going on in our lives.  We were so busy doing things for God that we were neglecting Him.  I read a quote a bit ago on Facebook from Anne Jackson, “doing for God does not equal being with God”.That is exactly it!  Doing, running, working, singing, etc for God does NOT equal being with Him and having that close walk with Him.  I think alot..and I mean alot of Christian have a very wrong view of Christianity.  I’ve seen so many in churches working their butts off for Christ but, they are so far from Him.  People with debt over their heads, kids who are out of control,  tempers that flair in a second, broken relationships, bitterness, weight issues…etc.  I am NOT saying you have to be perfect to minister.  I know no one is perfect nor, can we ever be perfect.  I am saying that it’s easy to neglect Jesus and to be working for Him.  I honestly feel that God can and will use anyone with a heart for Him.  I feel some of the ministries we’ve been involved in personally have not been all they could be because of our sin.  For example, we’ve helped lead worship in two churches now.  I know at times our hearts were not right and ready to lead others to God in worship.  Leading worship is a HUGE responsibility!!  How much more could God have used us if we were totally surrendered to Him!

We have stepped back.  We are seeking God’s face and want Him to be number ONE!  We are working on our relationship as a couple, our kids, our health and our finances. We don’t want to go, go, go for God so much that we have left Him behind in our daily lives.  I know God is working in us, our kids and that is exciting!  I can see Him blessing us for obeying.  No, we know everyone does not understand the decision we’ve made.  We also have some wonderful supportive friends who are praying for us!  We appreciate that so much!  We love our church and how God is blessing it!  We pray that everyone their will put God first in their lives and that our church will blow Findlay, OH off the map for Him!  We know it can happen.  We don’t want to be a hindrance.  We know that as we strive to be more like God that He’ll direct us in what all to do for Him!  Reaching and loving on people is our hearts desire.

How about you?  Are you running so much that you’ve left your personal walk with God in the dust?  What do you need to cut out?  It may not be at church…maybe it’s sports, extra activities, running your kids to anything they want to participate in.  Pray about how you can spend more time with God so you’ll be more effective for Him!  Col 3:2 has been my life verse for over 15 years now! 

“Set your affections on things above, not on earthly things.”