by L. Joy Douglas

joy4rain@aol.com 

What do I write this time? The question haunts me as I anxiously take note of this month’s fast approaching deadline. The deeper I look for inspiration, the greater my anxiety grows as my mind reaches out to gather…nothing.

Lord, I cry. Give me the words! What would You have me say? Still, there is silence, and a blank page. My mind whirls with the cares of facing a new year. There is so much I want to do; so much I should have accomplished last year. Newfound responsibilities weigh heavily on me, and the desperate need for organization is daunting. How can I write anything that will inspire others when my own life feels like a runaway tornado?

"Stop."

What?

"Stop."

Okay, stop what?

"Stop trying so hard. Just be."

Hmmmm…but if I do that, then all this striving won’t make a bit of difference.

Oh. Maybe that’s the point.

(God smiles.)

So I stop. "Just be," He said. So what am I? I am a human being, a woman, daughter, sister, wife, aunt, friend, writer, hair stylist, worship leader, dog lover, ahhhh…a child of God. That is where it begins. Every aspect of my identity comes down to that, and that is from where everything else should spring.

If I go back to basics, I can imagine myself as a little girl climbing up into the lap of Father God, snuggling in for the warmest of hugs. For the moment, there are no expectations, only unconditional love between a father and child. Time stands still because here I can ‘just be’.

As I relax into the communion we have, I wonder again what He wants me to say; to do.

(There’s that smile again.) "Beloved child, don’t you know by now? Love Me. Love others. All the rest are offshoots of those two simple things."

Of course, I knew that. Didn’t I? Then why do I complicate life unnecessarily? Through writing, I try to be an encourager, yet quite often find it difficult to practice what I preach. Is it so important to be well liked, successful, or talented? When I stand before the throne at the end of measurable time, will God reward me for how often I dusted, how well I sang in church or how big my paycheck was? No.

He will want to know how well I loved.

Look at how important the concept of love was all throughout the Bible.

Luke 10:27

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

John 21:17

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time; "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

If you are anything like me, you will have to pray daily for Him to give you the compassion you need to obey the command to love others. But, He will honor your willingness and little by little, you will begin to see people with His eyes. In turn, your heart will be softened and love will be the beautiful result.

Now I find myself back at the beginning. What do I write this time? It isn’t profound or the revelation of a deep mystery. What I will finally write is as much for me as it is for you. First, just be. Be who God created you to be, and be content because He made no mistake in that creation. Find the stillness that I spoke of last month, and rejoice in the release of those things that breed pressure. Secondly, love God and love others. After all, it is the greatest commandment He gave us. (Matthew 22:37-39)

I suppose I am at the point now where I will need to pare down my "to do" list in order to get my priorities back on track. I hope that you will be able to do the same, and move further into 2010 with a fresh perspective and a lighter burden.

Copyright L. Joy Douglas