Thursday, April 28, 2011

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 realisticand 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 Godintensely, 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)



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

18 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Sharon! Your posts are so real, and you always offer up wisdom in your walk..and I know Jesus is smiling upon you. Thank you for sharing your walk with us! May you be blessed!
    Yes...We NEED HIM!! And we Find Him when we look for Him in everything!
    Keep running the race...there are alot of us running with you!
    Love,
    Julie

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  2. Happy birthday, Sharon! You are a year wiser, and a year closer to His heart. God will reward your desire to seek Him and Him alone.

    God is glorified in your life, Sharon!

    Love
    Lidj

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  3. Let me extend my happy birthday wishes, too...

    Priorities do change as we age, don't they? Great post as always, Sharon....

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  4. Happy Birthday, Sharon! I knew that you had one coming up and was confident that you would treat us to some wondering words.

    I wasn't disappointed.

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  5. Hi Sharon -

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, WARRIOR SISTER.

    And congratulations on your firm belief in the new birth born-again experience, compliments of our glorious Savior, JESUS Christ. THANK YOU, LORD!

    You said so much here that is relevant and meaningful. In particular, my heart leaped from this that you expressed, "I want to pursue them with my whole heart. I want my plans to follow His leading…"

    Such precious words, Sharon.

    May your birthday be the beginning of new dimensions for you in our Lord. Burn, lady, burn - for our GOD, who is an awesome GOD. He has us in the championship circle surrounded by His blessed assurances...

    SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR YOU:
    Visualize a bouquet of fresh flowers scented with the most exquisite frangrances permeating the earth and heavenly realms. This bouquet has an array of diverse appearances by lilies, roses, tulips, orchids, and gardenias. The ribbon is flowing with splendid presentations. No weeds in this bunch. Only the BEST for Mrs. Kirby, an ageless beauty in the hand of her Lord.

    Glory to the awesome name of GOD, who distributes the most cherished gifts. Bless His wonderful name.

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  6. Happy belated birthday Sharon! Iknow what you wrote with aging how our priorities change and what really matters is knowing God and making him known. I too want to seek him and know him more because it truly is all about him!!

    This journey to know him more will be a journey you won't regret and a journey that will continue to grow and change as you get to know him more!

    betty

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  7. Hi Sharon

    Happy Birthday Wishes and thank you for this great post with great scriptures.
    Hugs Nita.

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  8. Happy Birthday Sharon! I can only say that you are a perfect example of the adage, 'With age comes wisdom!'
    Andie

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  9. I'm just stopping by to say happy birthday to you - I had no idea - when is your birthday?
    Happy birthday to you. sandie

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  10. Happy Birthday, Sharon. I loved your post...I too was saved at a young age, had times of wandering... But like you, at this stage of life I am seeking His purposes.

    Thanks for sharing your journey.

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  11. Happy Birthday from one 'warrier' to another!!
    The Westmont kind, NOT the old war horse kind. Well... maybe a little bit of that too. :)

    xo

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  12. happy birthday, to youuuuuuuuuu!
    Love you!

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  13. Happy birthday, Sharon. Our experiences keep us centered on Him and when we have a lot of them over the years, we really know Jesus is faithful. Wishing you a great year loaded with wisdom and happiness.

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  14. Dear Sharon,
    Happy belated birthday! I had a birthday too...53 on the 16th. Today I feel my age. I have enjoyed your posts this week...I'm in Illinois with my mom as she recovers from surgery. The internet is so slow here in the hospital, that I haven't even tried commenting until now. Your posts are a bright spot in my long days!

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  15. I could not have asked for nicer gifts - the lovely words of my friends!

    Thank you one and all for making this April's birthday a most special one indeed! You will never know how much each one of you mean to me - how much you support me, encourage me, challenge me, inspire me. I stand stronger because you stand alongside me.

    Oh, what a blessing it is to serve our Lord - to discover the infinite riches of His Kingdom - together. May we all pursue Him as our first priority, our first love, our first everything...

    Blessings to you all - and again, I have appreciated all your well wishes.

    And Sandra - what a lovely bouquet! I could see them and smell them - and they were a very pleasing aroma! Thank you so much...

    As always - GOD BLESS!

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  16. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I've been so blessed by your blog and your kind comments on mine. Prayers for an incredible year in HIM!

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  17. Melissa - Thanks so much! I am praying that this year the Lord will teach me more about Him, lead me in His ways, and help me to spread the very Good News about His Kingdom!

    GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)