I have to be honest and say that I have not kept up with the homework. Barely even started it. I had every intention of doing it, but I knew the moment I started, that this was "not my season" as someone put it. I felt so discouraged at first that I couldn't get it done, I felt like a slacker, but I now know and understand that it is OK. I know it sounds like such a cop out, but this semester, from the start, was insanely crazy and I knew that if I tried to do it, I would be doing it "just to do it," and not putting my heart into it. That's the last thing I want, especially with Breaking Free. Not completing the homework, though, was not going to keep me from going every week. It is still so good for me, and so appropriate at this time. I do go back and review everything we talked about, go over verses, and re-read every note I jotted down. Good stuff, folks.
And, do I need to even mention the joy I get from seeing my beloved Houston blogging girls there? Oh, it's a joyful time. I love when Beth starts talking about the blog because I feel so "in". I want to jump up and down and yell I know them, I know them!!!! Sometimes I sit on my hands to prevent this exact scenario. My mom can attest to this. I only talk about the blog enough that she too knows all about y'all more than she probably cares to know. And after Tuesday nights, I reiterate to her specifically what Beth was talking about. I'm sure she loves it. Yes, she talks about y'all! :)
Anyway, this past Tuesday was exceptional. Everything I needed to hear and more. Things were clarified in my mind that I am now praising the Lord for. He is so sweet to speak straight to my heart!
This week was specifically about obedience to God. "Trading the yoke of slavery for the yoke of liberty." Something that is so hard, yet so vital in our "breaking free" process. (Are you a "slave to sin...or to obedience?" Rom. 6:16) It was about the burdens and yoke that we put on ourselves, versus the yoke he has for us. Oh, the difference, it is huge. Specifically, the burdens and circumstances we choose to battle that He did not intend us to carry. Does that make sense? If we would just believe and trust that His "yolk is easy and His burden light" (Matthew 11:30) we would choose to carry the yoke He has for us. Therefore, giving us rest. Rest. Such a sweet word and something I had just blogged about. This semester so far has been crazy, and "rest" has so been out of the question. But, how can I have clarity on situations like jobs, when I have had no rest. He is saying "come to me and I'll give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) I've barely even made it that far. How is it that life always seems to get in the way before we ever make it to Him, when really, He is where we need to be and go to first.
Knowing that I am graduating in 2 months (YEA!!) has been so exciting, yet stressful because I know finding a job is next. As exciting as this is, it can be pretty stressful. My situation is a little different than I thought it would ever be in that I have a few options to choose from. (This is something I will expand on at a later and more appropriate time.) I have been praying my little heart out and getting/receiving advice from different people. The problem is that people tend to have different ideas and opinions about the situation, so it makes it hard. I know in the end it is between me and God, but still, my heart is torn and I have needed some clarity. I know I might not get the exact clarity I want, but I know that in following God, I will be at peace with either decision I make. All of that to say, I have been carrying some unnecessary burdens, thus getting little rest.
Tuesday night I received some wisdom and some clarity that I can't help but share. If may not be as applicable to you right now, but at this point in my life it spoke to me loud and clear and I am so thankful. Some points that so stood out to me, and I am quoting Beth Moore are:
- The longer we stay immature in the faith, the more we feel like God's commands are just commands, therefore we aren't enjoying Him.
- It's not Jesus wearing us out!
- His self-existent "I AM" keeps us from being little "I Am's" -Amen!
- A need does not constitute a call.
- In referring to options: Which is good and which is better. (This was HUGE for me!)
- Where is He saying "Come to me" and he'll give me rest.
- Am I worn out because of what I need people to think?
- Our souls are restless till we find rest in THEE!
- Maybe I won't have to figure everything out, I just need to REST it.
The last 2 points and quotes I'll share with you, are the last points she shared with us. They were so appropriate and fit right in with the lesson being taught. She was explaining that in wearing his yoke we share a yoke with someone who is Gentle, which in greek means kind, and someone who is humble giving us this quote:
"His path of humbe service is the pattern for us to follow. So much of our fatigue and burdensome toil stems from pride. If we are successful, our egos are inflated and we try for more. If we falter, the rejection of other and our self-condemnation weigh us down in guilt and self-doubt. It is much more freeing to take Christ's attitude of serving others" -Life Application Bible Commentary (From Wordsearch7)
Then in explaining rest and how "we can take Christ's kind of rest to work" she left us with this quote, that I'll leave with y'all:
"Christ's 'rest' is not a 'rest' from work, but in work, 'not the rest of inactivity bu of the harmonious working of all the faculties and affections, of will, heart, imagination, conscience, because each has found in God the ideal sphere for its satisfaction and development." - J. Patick, Hastings Bible Dictionary
Amen & Amen! Much love to all of you!




