BIRTHDAYS - OH DEAR!

Keep the fire extinguishers handy.

Turn off the smoke alarms.

Yup, this month I had a birthday!

There were...um...*MANY* candles on my birthday cake!

I've been blessed in my life so far – God has been good to me. And I'm very grateful that He saved me at a young age. It's been an interesting faith journey – God and I.

We've walked a convoluted path – sometimes I've wandered, sometimes I've gotten lost. Sometimes we've traveled many miles – sometimes we've just had to stay in one place for a long time. Sometimes the Lord has had to wait for me to catch up – sometimes He's had to wait for me to come back to Him.

There have been valleys and wilderness times. There have been green meadows and peaceful streams. And yes, there's even been some mountaintops.

But always, always – He's been there. Every step of the way.

So...I ponder.

What's it like at this point in my life?

You know, when we're young, we've got the world by the tail. We feel invincible, unstoppable. There doesn't seem to be anything we can't do. We're fresh and idealistic – and yes, sometimes a bit naïve.

We have the greatest and most glorious plans.

But, sadly, most of them do not pan out.

When we reach our middle years, we often wonder how we got where we are. We're wearied and realistic – and yes, sometimes a bit cynical.

Many of us hit middle age a bit disillusioned.

So here's my question – have we focused on what's really important?

We may be older – but are we wiser?

When we're young, it's easy to rush from one goal to another – tyrannized by the urgent. We sometimes forget to enjoy life while frantically pursuing it.

At some point, we stop and realize a few things.

We can't always trust our finances.

We can't always trust our health.

We can't always trust our friends.

We can't always trust ourselves.

Where do we turn?

We turn toward Another. We turn toward a Consultant. We turn to the LORD'S counsel.

We need His direction. We need Him.

So, this is what it's like at this point in my life.

I am searching for God – intensely, determinedly, purposefully, single-mindedly. I have come to the realization that there's nothing else that's more important.

I search His Word and find that some of the things that seemed so important at another time in my life – aren't. And some things that I might have deemed trivial are vital in God's view.

Money, prestige, power, possessions – measuring sticks of our culture.

God shakes His head at our compulsive and fruitless pursuit of these things.

They're not wrong – they're just not central.

So, at this point in my life – I'm going back to the basics. I want to discover God's purposes. I want to pursue them with my whole heart. I want my plans to follow His leading…

I want Him.

"Sharon, is it really just Me?"

"Yes, Lord – it really is."

"You can make many plans, but the LORD'S purpose will prevail."

(Proverbs 19:21)

"You must be careful to obey all the commands of the LORD your God, following his instructions in every detail. Stay on the path that the LORD you God has commanded you to follow." (Deuteronomy 5:32-33)

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope…If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,' says the LORD." (Jeremiah 29:11, 13)

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, find. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7)

"'And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.'" (Mark 12:30)

(Thoughts based on devotional from "The One Year Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar" c. 2009)

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