Position of Shifting

Position of Shifting

Shift, a word we hear used in many sectors. Shift in the atmosphere, paradigm shift, shift gears, shift this, shift that, just shift.  Shift is definitely change. It can be geographical, mental, occupation, personal friendships/relationships, etc. Whatever the case, it requires attention and acceptance. We must accept the shift which can make it a smooth transition, but does not guarantee smoothness. 

There may be some hard things that come with the shift. If you accept and see the shift through the reward shall be great.  The position of shifting takes place when the heart, mind, and soul aligns with the demands and the requirements of the shift. Gird up your loins, be strong and position yourself to shift. 

Pain

I can remember preaching a message entitled “There is Purpose in Pain”.  There’s a song from my childhood called No Pain No Gain. Pain serves as an eye-opener. Many view pain as the enemy, but it can catapult us to places we’ve never been before. Pain can change our way of thinking and allow us to re-position ourselves.

The question proposed, “What do you see as the role of pain in character development and spiritual formation” prompted me to think of David. David came to a place in his life where he understood pain. He saw pain’s benefits and was determine to endure and embrace the pain life presented. Psalm 1119:71, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes”. It is my belief he arrived at this conclusion after going through trials and tribulation. David was known as a man after God’s heart.  We gain wisdom, experience, and insight as we embrace pain and realize there is a purpose.

I remember a time I thought I was losing my mind. I felt like I would not make it, but God. The Lord brought me out of this place and truly placed me on a rock. I’ve experienced many difficult times, but I can think back to when God brought me through. My initial understanding of pain came through my own pain and the Lord placing the following scripture in my heart. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God.” This has been a spiritual nugget for me in times of distress, pain, and afflictions.

Genesis 21:26, “Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." 

Make it Count!

Make it Count! Every failure, hurt, pain, and disappointment counts. It's important to view these experiences as stepping stones and lessons of life. Many shy away from failures, but failures are pivotal to successes. Failures allow us the opportunities to improve and become better. Failures can get our attention and at times put us on the right track.

Hurts, pains, and disappointments are inevitable in this life. These experiences can be paralyzing. They can also distance us from those who truly have our best interests at heart. If we are not careful, a wall begins to grow that may take years to come down.  We were created to be relational. Making it Count positions us to be strength, support, and encouragement for someone else. We travel roads others have traveled as well as roads others will travel.

Traveled or traveling Make it Count!!!

Matters!

We've all been asked the question, What's the matter? This question may stem from a response, a facial expression, a non-response, or just the air we give off. We all have matters, matters of life encountered each day. Matters are not necessarily negative or positive. Whether the matters are personal, professional, ministry, etc. we have them. It's important to know and understand your matters. Prioritizing your matters can alleviate a lot of stress as well as a lot of wasted time and energy. If we think back over our lives, there were matters highly prioritized that are now less important. Our current lenses may differ tremendously from our past lenses.

Weighing in on our matters can be approached by evaluating, re-evaluating, prioritizing, and re-prioritizng. This should be done periodically as matters are completed, resolved, on-going, or shifting. Some matters can interrupt our dreams and goals. It is true there are unavoidable times where matters prevail. Other times,  matters co-exist with our dreams and goals which can be our reality.

Don't let your matters lead you, but lead your matters in your everyday life.

A small Celebration!!!

As we embark upon this New Year 2016 and anticipate great things, I want to ensure we maximize the small things. Sometimes we have the habit of pushing the small things aside and viewing them as irrelevant. I admonish you to view the small things from another angle by embracing, cherishing, and learning from the small things. Great lessons and blessings are derived from the small things. Take a moment to reflect. Can you remember or have you forgotten?

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..." Zechariah 4:10

Let's be mindful to celebrate the small. You're being watched, "Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a little; I will put you in charge of much." Matthew 25:23

The 2016 loaves we will celebrate in approximately 12 months will take determination, endurance, persistence, and diligence. Before the loaves are formed we will need the slices, and before the slices we need the crumbs. Crumbs: A small Celebration now!  

Less is best and leads to Much. What you do with Less determines your Much. If you look down on Less you can't look up on Much.

   

Friends!

Finding out who your true friends are can take time. It may be days, months, or years. Hurts, disappointments, pain and discouragement are all in the process. But somewhere at sometime you realize this is a true friend(s). When you do cherish and nurture the friendship. Keep it alive and it will continue to grow and blossom. Dr. Seuss' book, Are You My Mother?.....Are You My Friend? Reflecting, Realizing, Receiving, and Accepting.

Life Happens!

Life Happens to us all. If we keep on living we will experience many expected and unexpected situations and circumstances. Life brings experience if we allow it to teach us the lessons we need to learn. To all you supporters I just wanted you to know I'm still standing.

Much Love......
Life Happens!