Are You Doing All You Can Do?

Before you start complaining that you are not where you would like to be, things are not going the way you would like for them to go or you just can’t get a break, ask yourself this question. Are you doing all you can do?  We read in Ephesians 6:15…and having done all, to stand. Are you waiting for something to happen that will propel you forward into your destiny when you have not done all that you can do?

As I have mentioned previously I am a dreamer and a believer. I believe Gods Word in its entirety. I believe He has great plans for me just as He has great plans for you as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 1: 5 before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.

What more do you need to be encouraged? What more do you need than the assurance that before you were even born God had plans for you that are greater than you can imagine. Isaiah 55:9 for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher that your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. What is that power that worketh in us? It is the Holy Spirit that was sent to provide us with everything we need to succeed. It is the measure of faith that He has given each of us.

You were born with everything you need to succeed, but first you must recognize that you are unique and God does have a plan for you. You must believe and trust in God’s promises. You have to be confident in Him and His ability to fulfill His plan for your life. You have to “act like it’s so.” You must put forth an effort and be an active participant in God’s plan. You must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. The emphasis here is not on reward, but on diligence. Think of a time when you accomplished a goal. If you can’t think of anything let me help you. You probably don’t remember when this occurred in your own life, but you may have witnessed a child learning to walk. A child learning to walk will take small guarded steps. S/he may hold on to someone or something nearby. S/he will fall a few times but continues to put forth an effort and eventually succeeds. Is the child afraid while trying, of course, but does not give up. Without even realizing it the child is exercising faith. God tells us to have childlike faith. Childlike faith believes nothing is impossible.

What effort are you putting forth? Are you taking small guarded steps, or are you taking any steps at all? Are you taking an active role in God’s plan for your life? Activity includes but is not limited to prayer. Seek God’s direction and move towards it. You will be amazed at what will happen when you do all that you can do.

 

It’s Time to get off the Sofa

Let’s face it, there are times when we may feel so weighed down by life that we just don’t want to do anything but curl up on the sofa, read a good book, watch a movie or eat our way out of our funk. But how many of you know that nothing I have just described has ever solved anything. To the contrary, because these behaviors have used up the one resource we can never get back we often regret wasting our time on such unprofitable acts…and let’s not talk about eating our way out of our funk. Although I’m not a stress eater I have watched a movie or two, or three, or four (and I’m stopping there), while indulging in a few snacks that I have yet to work off.

 

But enough, we may not be able to redeem the time we have lost, but we can put the error of our ways behind us and move forward. Unless we share our thoughts, bad habits and for lack of a better word, wastefulness, with others we are usually the only ones that know we are off our game, not doing what we know we should be doing or missing a step. And believe me we do know, but don’t let knowing cause you to beat yourself up, grab your favorite snack and get back on the sofa.

 

Recognize and acknowledge you are not doing what you know you should be doing. Maybe the year didn’t start of the way you expected. Perhaps you were expecting a new job or new relationship. Maybe you received disappointing news, or even something more devastating that has caused you to lie down on the sofa.

 

The sofa is just an analogy for the place you go to hide, sulk, rest, or remove yourself from your ‘real life’, the life God has predestined for you. The trials, tribulations; defeats that we face in this life are ‘world experiences’ but you my friend are a spirit living in a body. Your body, emotions; thoughts are impacted by the world, but your spirit is not. We read in Galatians 5:17 for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 

I think Paul says it best in Romans 7:15, for that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. How many times have you said just one more chapter when reading that book, or I just want to see how this ends while watching a movie?  Perhaps you are eating your favorite snack and make a decision to finish it all so it will no longer be a temptation, only to find yourself purchasing a replacement the next time you are shopping, then vow you will eat the replacement snack only in moderation.

Well it’s time to get off of the sofa, time to move away from whatever has immobilized you and is preventing you from doing what God has called you to do. How many times have you said tomorrow, next week, or next month I will…

 

Today is your tomorrow, your next week and your next month. There is no time like the present.  You may not be able to take the bull by the horns and move full force into what you need to do, depending on what it is you are working on, how long you have been away from it, or what it’s going to take to move you to the next level.  Take baby steps. Any step is better than no step at all.

 

Each of us has a purpose, and as I often say ‘no one can do what you can do exactly the way that you can do it.’

 

Learn from the past.  Your experience is your testimony. It should be used to encourage yourself as well as others, but it’s just that, the past. Forgive yourself for lying on the sofa, get up, get moving and don’t look back.