It is hard to slow down and enjoy life, especially in the fast paced world we live in today. These days it’s all about the hustle and the desire to always be more and do more. No one is ever satisfied and culture teaches people to keep striving for more, and good is no longer good enough. In saying this I don’t mean that we shouldn’t do our best and have goals but so often we miss out on what God desires for us because we don’t slow down and listen to what He has to say.
The past two years have been completely life changing for me, especially the last year. I have always had health problems that come with Cerebral Palsy. However, up until now I could always overcome them and live a somewhat normal life. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. I went from living on my own, doing a job I love, traveling, and spending time with friends to depending on my parents for complete care and being bed bound. Most days I do not see outside my bedroom.
To say it has been difficult is an understatement. I often joke that my 30s have not been good to me. I have had to grieve the loss of my former life, and lose part of myself that will never be again. I’ve mourned and let go of dreams that will never be and if I dwell on it too much the Devil likes to creep in with his lies.
The lesson that I take away from this season the most is worrying and fretting about what tomorrow will bring is useless. The most important priority should be to to appreciate the little things that was often overshadowed in seasons prior. Suffering brings to light what really matters and helps one find joy in the simple and mundane areas of life. We can spend so much time focusing on what the world says is good — our job or whatever we are focused on may not be bad in itself but if we can spend too much time obsessing about it and neglecting what is really matters, it can become all consuming. I have been guilty of this many times and have had a lot of come to Jesus meetings. However, in the end when I think about what I am putting before Godly priorities through a Biblical perspective, I realize God is right. It may not always appear this way in the beginning, but when we are obedient to the Lord in focusing on what is most needed, an enormous peace will come into your heart and life.
We can fill our lives with continual work and material things but at the end of the day none of those are important. Are we filling our days with productivity that exudes Christ and others or self? Having a job is a necessary part of life but putting a career and desire for financial gain before time with God and your family can make it an idol. The same goes for any dream. Are you chasing a dream or a relationship that you know is not God honoring but you don’t want to let it go? While worldly pleasures seem good for now, they are not worth your energy. What is worth your energy is living for Christ amd asking Him what He wants you to do. Trust me, it may not be easy and you may not always understand, but if you surrender and ask Him to guide you, He will never let you down. None of us know how long we will be on this earth so we need to spend our days striving for the things of God and not man. Be encouraged today my friends and enjoy the little things God brings your way.
Life is to short to be living a life that weighs you down. Being sick and viewing life through this perspective has made me appreciate the extra time that I have with my parents and the ones I love. Every visit and conversation is such a gift for me now and being intentional about spending time with people is what I’m enjoying the most. Things that I used to love no longer seem important now, and while that saddens me God gives me strength to press on through each day that comes my way,
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