Get Up, Show Up, and Put in the Effort

Lately, I have been wondering what purpose God has for me. God’s purpose can be anything, nothing is too big for God, yet small things can be nurtured into big things that we cannot imagine. Sometimes, you just have to start, and when you fall down, don’t quit. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again. The more you show up and try, the easier it gets. You can’t quit. I feel like I am lecturing myself about exercise. I started strong and stopped for a week, but I can start again tomorrow. I get another chance every morning to make better choices. Reading the bible is like exercise. You have to put in effort to get rewards. The more you read it, the deeper your relationship becomes with Christ. Reading the bible everyday requires discipline. After exercise, I always feel happier. After I read the bible, my heart feels rejuvenated. I have to show up and keep trying each day.

There will be some days when you just don’t know what you should do. Our pastor talked about the bible passage Jeremiah 6:16 a few months ago. When you feel you are at a crossroads, and you don’t know what to do, you should stand where you are at and consider your options. You should ask God and seek God through scripture. You should read the bible and consider the advice given in scriptures verses. Do not rely on feelings. After you read the scriptures, you should do what God says and move forward. When we follow God’s plan, we will find rest for our souls.

This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
–Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)

I love this passage and believe every word of it with all my heart. Yet, sometimes I still don’t do it. I don’t know why. Yesterday, I read the bible and wrote about it and felt great. Then this morning, I did everything but read the bible and write about it. I started feeling down and thought maybe I have the winter blues. No, I know what I need to do, I just didn’t do it. Now, I have to get the kids from the bus stop in 20 minutes, and I finally sat down to spend time with God and listen. God tells us exactly what we need to do to find rest for our souls and our response is, ‘We will not walk in it.’ I am fully admitting that was my response, when it came down to starting my morning with God today. God is good. God wants us to spend time reading the bible and praying, but its our choice. We have to get up, show up, and put in the effort. God will always be there waiting for us.