My Way or God's Way

Good morning!

Over the weekend we participated in the first Confirmation session at church with our son, Lucas. Our church is following a different format from years past. Up until now, Lucas has been in confirmation that was part of youth group but this year confirmation includes the families. I have to say it was very cool.

There were very few families involved, unfortunately, but it was very meaningful anyway. Mark and I both left saying that it was really good. We are both of the mindset, and Mark mentioned this in the session, that we all have the same amount of time. We choose how we spend it.

Many families say they are too busy. They have so many sporting events and games on Sundays that there just isn't time.

I know we are swimming upstream, as the leader said in the session. I'm good with that. The road less traveled is the one leading to the best life!

God has provided us with 6 days of the week to work and get things done. Slowly we have taken the one day meant for rest and said we need that one too. I am not pointing fingers. It is really hard for me to set aside the giant To Do list of all the stuff that I didn't get done during those 6 days. However, my goal is to really evaluate objectively whether I'm following God's plan for me or my plan for me.

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God...."

Exodus 20:8-10a

My 6th grade year our family lived in St. Louis as my dad went to the seminary. I remember stores weren't selling anything but food on Sundays. You couldn't buy clothes or toilet paper or Windex or anything else. It was this sharp contrast that provided awareness of how different that day should be. It actually made me more aware of the glory of God, as a middle school kid.

Now, it is just another day to get things done or get more games and practices or dance competitions in.

Is it any wonder that the suicide, anxiety and depression rates are topping all the other years prior? Have our shifts in priorities and values moved so far away from what God knows is best that we can't even see it anymore?

I pray that we each evaluate this with a heart open to the direction of God. I believe that when we honor Him, He will take care of what is needed. If we set aside some of those things that we think are requirements, I bet we will find a better life. After all, He designed it that way. I would think He would know best!