Do You Put God First?
by Janis Cox
I delight to do Thy will, O my God (Psalm 40:8, NIV).
As I joined a blog hop for writers, most of whom are Christians, I was surprised to find their goals were directed at doing things and not listening to the Holy Spirit first. Maybe they do listen first but didn’t write about it. I don’t know the answer to that. I truly believe that we could make such inroads into the lives of others if we would only start with God first.
My writing started after I had lived quite a few years – so maybe that is why I truly believe that God needs to be in our lives every minute. I loved how one writer put it today – that no matter what she does God is a part of it.
I always start with a prayer for wisdom, and courage both when I write and when I paint. And when I talk to someone, when something is lost, when I work on any project – just anytime.
If we claim to be Christ followers and not fans (a great resource for this concept is Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman), then why don’t we start with our Leader. Every time – could we do this?
I don’t think it matters whether we are writing Christians, or Christians writing, we need to begin with Him.
I paint my best when I don’t try hard, think too much – but when I relax, ask for His guidance and rely on Him.
As I do this more and more, I find He never leaves me – He is always there right beside me. His love never fails.
If you are trying to do life on your own – stop and think a bit and start looking to your Creator, the one who knows you and can help you do your very best.
God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions ~ Oswald Chambers.
Have I been persecuting Jesus by a zealous determination to serve Him in my own way? ~ Oswald Chambers.
Here is an acronym to help us remember: OPEN
O – Open your eyes
P – Pray first
E – Enter His Presence
N – Nearness – now you can do His will
Let’s connect with Jesus. Right now. Would you pray with me.
Prayer:
Lord, we want to do it our way. We sometimes think we can do everything on our own. But when we realize the path is less steep, less rocky and straighter with you, we will put down ourselves and join You in every pursuit. Help us to remember that. Help us to be followers and not fans of Jesus. In His Name. AMEN.
Tweetables:
No matter what I do, let me ask God to be a part of it.
Are you a fan of Jesus or a follower of Him?
Contributors
Janis Cox
Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. A writer since 2003, Janis co-ordinates a group blog called Under the Cover of Prayer. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters.
Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. For more information visit Janis on her website He Cares for You. She is a member of The Word Guild and Inscribe Writers Fellowship.
Janis, I love that you shared this. We should always invite God and His counsel in. Always. Thanks for linking up with Recommendation Saturday! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Shelly,
Thank you so much. I read today that if we want to be prayers like Daniel we have to think/pray at least 1 minute an hour. That’s focus.
Blessings,
Janis
I am beginning to realise that this is perhaps even more important in our face-to-face interactions. We are so easily distracted. (At least I am!)
Oh Sue,
That is so true. How can we act as Jesus would want us to in front of anyone if we don’t connect with Him first? And yes I get distracted too – with the world around me, my emotions and my physical state. I need God to intervene and put the love, strength and power of Christ in me.
Blessings,
Janis
Well said, Jan.
Thanks Susan,
Blessings,
Janis
Jan – thanks so much for this. It touched my heart this morning and cleared up my thinking about a present writing project. Blessings, Rose
Rose,
That is wonderful that this post has focused your thoughts.
Blessings,
Janis
I can see the value in taking a quiet moment before you begin a project to reflect on what you (and God) would like to achieve through it and to open your heart to new possibilities. I’m not sure I would say it’s absolutely necessary, though. I think God works through us at all times, whether we are aware of it or not. And sometimes it is the things we consider our “own” ideas that turn out to be the most inspired. I think God is quite ready and willing to work through us no matter how much we are consciously involving God in the process.
Sharon,
I agree with you that if you are close to God in your thoughts and actions the things you do are inspired by Him. But if you do things totally in your own power that is when you start to lose the peaceful inspiration and power that He can bring to a project.
Our ideas are inspired by Him if He is part of our lives.
Blessings,
Janis
Maybe where we differ is that I think God is part of all of our lives!
Sharon,
It is hard for God to be a part of someone’s life if he/she doesn’t acknowledge He exists, isn’t it?
Janis
Actually, I don’t think it is. I think God permeates everything we are and everything we do, whether we acknowledge it or not!
Sharon,
God is certainly available but not everyone will acknowledge that. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”. — John 3:3
Blessings,
Janis
Jan, I would tend to agree with you. God desires to be part of our lives but He won’t force Himself in but instead waits for us to answer His gentle “knock” at our heart. I believe it was Joyce Meyer who talked about God’s power and how we all have access to it, but until we actively acknowledge and ask for it, it doesn’t manifest itself. Sort of like electricity…the power is there, but we have to turn the light switch “on”. In my church, our pastor has challenged us to pray every day for the manifest presence of God — for His glory and His power.