Last month's blog was short, sweet, and to the point. The message was to 'be quiet.' That was and continues to be what I'm supposed to do.
You learn a lot when you just listen... and I have been listening to podcasts and reading quite a bit lately. A common message I'm hearing is about the 'lenses' we see through, how we see things differently than others, and why we see things the way we do. Of course, when we see a pattern of context across multiple channels, we need to take note. There's a message that's trying to get through to us. Everyone sees things from their own point of view & their experiences create this point of view. We are all pretty self consumed about what we think is right, wrong, our needs, desires, hopes and dreams.
I listened to an Ed Mylett podcast, on 'lenses,' and it really hit me. I needed to practice looking at things from other people's points of view.
How do your kids see you? How about your coworkers? Friends? Your parents? It's an eye-opener to why things are the way they are (or aren't) and why you think the way you do.
After hearing a similar message listening to a church sermon - it got me thinking about how God sees me. As He truly sees it all; the good, the bad, and everything in between.
I'm going to give you a little 'cowgirl confession' here. July was a tough month. Actually, if I'm honest, it's been a tough five years. But recently there were some pretty heavy things weighing on me. I was starting to get back into some old habits of having a negative mindset and being so overwhelmed to the point that some mornings I did not want to get out of bed and face the day. After I heard the message about seeing myself as God sees me, it got me thinking...and God placed a vision on my heart.
I had a vision of my daughter lying in bed. I thought of all the things weighing me down... what if all of these things were my daughter's weight?What if it were her thinking she needs to do all of those things or that it's even possible to carry that much weight. It hit me once again... my 'backpack' was completely too full and heavy for anyone to lift and if you've read this far you're likely a person who can relate.
After really thinking about this vision, a scripture came to mind.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
You guys... our Father does not want us doing that much work. And I'm not just talking about physical work, I'm talking about the work happening in between your ears… worry & anxiety, trying to figure everything out... the amount of time we waste doing this is ridiculous.
We must learn to trust what the Good Book truly has to say for us and how we should live our lives.
So, this month, I challenged you to get quiet and start to look at things from the perspective of those around you. Sometimes the most ground is gained by quieting our hearts & minds to see things from a different perspective.
We must choose to see ourselves as God sees us, He looks at our hearts and knows everything about us. Ask Him to show you his perspective and then get to work on becoming that version of you, because honestly, that truly is the best version you will ever be.
Before you know it, your light will be lit and shining for a whole new purpose. You got this, God's got this!