Craving More

I think I can safely say that as humans we are always craving more. I know this is certainly true in my life. I often find myself in the middle of a struggle between being content but also desiring growth and more out of this life I am living. In my nearly 30 years of life, I have definitely experienced various seasons; there have been seasons of plenty and seasons of need. It recently clicked for me that until I stop craving earthly treasures and crave a strong, fresh closeness with God that emptiness will never fully go away. Currently my family is in what I call a time of transition. I can literally feel it. I can feel being in the middle, being squished, unable to breathe at times, and waiting for what's next. Normally I would wait to write down my thoughts until after the transition and until after I've grown and learned some life lessons. I'm not new to this season of transition. I've made it through several in my almost 3 decades of life. I'm choosing to write now because I've learned there is still beauty in the middle and in the struggle. Do I want answers? Yes. Do I want to know the plan and be able to share it with my praying family and friends? Yes. Right now I'm learning that I need to be content in the transition. I need to be alert in the transition. God IS preparing me for something big. He is calling me to trust Him and to be patient. His Word gets me through my daily struggle while I wait for answers. Where do you want us? What do you want us to do? How can we bless others? Only God knows what tomorrow holds. My trust in God grows daily as I'm learning to be content with what we have but continuing to press on toward the prize. I crave closeness with God because He is the only one who can hold me up when I'm at my lowest and worry begins to creep in. In James chapter 4 we read Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lords will, we will live and do this or that." These verses speak so strongly to me in this season of my life. I only want to live Gods plan for my life. In growing closer to Him, He will guide me down the path he prepared for me. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21. No matter how grand of an amazing life I can imagine for myself God has an even better plan! This brings me so much hope! God does not want us to just settle with what's easy. It's good to work hard and strive for excellence. But balance is required. In striving for excellence we need to check our motives and never allow greed or comparison to be a driving force in life. Craving more out of life begins with craving closeness with our Heavenly Father. He wants to bless us. He wants us to rely on him and trust him. Learning to be content no matter what season of life I am in is crucial to staying positive and hopeful. "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content; I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13. So thankful that Gods grace is mighty enough to bring us through every situation imaginable. I truthfully look forward to the next step that God is preparing us for but until that day arrives I will be content and alert during this season of transition. This season of feeling unsettled. I'm reminded of my daughters first year of life and even the beginning of her second year. In the middle of it I was often overwhelmed by everything. I look back now and am thankful for the precious time I had with her. Sure I was often behind on laundry, dishes, and cleaning and money was definitely tight but God always provided and He still provides all we need. Thankfully I was able to truly enjoy multiple moments of simply being in her presence, watching her play and enjoy life. Such simple and yet profound moments with my daughter that I will cherish forever. God is so good and so faithful and I know I can trust in Him always. While I am waiting for answers I am thankful for Gods peace in my life especially when there are so many unknowns. I love Philippians chapter 4. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I challenge you to always guard your hearts and minds no matter what season of life you are in. Don't let Satan steal your joy. I know I am still a work in progress. I also know that the closer I grow to God the closer I am to becoming the person He created me to be. Lord you are the potter and I am the clay. I pray your will Lord will be done in my life. The joy of the Lord truly is my strength.