Last year the word the LORD kept bringing up to me was “Availability”. I had/have a busy life. I think most of us do. I was involved in and responsible for many things, but the LORD kept nudging me to give up some things. Good things. Things I liked. He wanted me to be more available. Available for Him to use me. Available to actually sit down and write! And so, I gave up some of my responsibilities. Then I said, “Now what?”
And here is NOW WHAT:
* I joined this blog as a regular
contributor
* I guest posted in a couple of
other blogs
* I wrote an article for
FellowScript
* I spent more quiet time with God
* I spent more quiet time with God
* I prayed more
* I heard God speak to me
* I was available to engage and
spend time with a hurting colleague of my husband’s
The theme the LORD has given me for this year is PAY ATTENTION!
Now that I’m Available, I need to consciously Pay Attention. In order to Write Dangerously, I need to Pay Attention. Writers have
to be keen observers. So the more I pay attention, the more ‘true’ my writing
will be.
But I hope that paying attention will also open my eyes to some God-assignments, times when I notice His nudge.
Which brings me to this morning. As I went through the checkout at the grocery store, I looked at the clerk. She was very young, and she looked tired and sick. I noticed, but I didn’t do anything about it. I didn’t say anything encouraging to make her day brighter. I don't even remember if I smiled at her. I have since prayed for her, but I wonder if she was a God-assignment. I need to pay more attention.
To pay attention takes
sacrifice. It takes a sacrifice of time – sometimes a moment, sometimes a
couple of hours, as in the case of a hurting colleague.
Paying attention often
means sacrificing my own schedule. For a list-maker/schedule-keeper like me,
that one hurts. More than I’d like to admit.
In Bible Study last week, the study leader stated that more often than not, our choice is between sacrifice and selfishness. Wow. That makes one stop and think.
I’m glad I was obedient to the nudges God gave
me last year to give up some responsibilities so that I could become available. My life is still busy, but it is busy in a different way now. For my Year of
Writing Dangerously I plan to pay attention so that I don’t miss any
opportunities, writing or otherwise, that God puts in my way.
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lonfong/5810125682/">Lon Fong Photography-off more than on these days..</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/s9500/358416239/">Pictr73</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lonfong/5810125682/">Lon Fong Photography-off more than on these days..</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/s9500/358416239/">Pictr73</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a>
Squirm.
ReplyDeleteSquirm.
Doggone it, Joy. You just opened a door to a conviction I don't like having to face. When I am busy with my stuff, my important stuff, my chosen to be busy with stuff, I am not available for God's stuff, not even able to pay attention to know what his stuff is, so I can make an informed choice regarding how I fill my time (MY time?).
Could it be I'm afraid to know what he has waiting for me? Is that what you and Connie, last week, mean by the Year of Living Dangerously?
I feel like a worm on a hook. Sheesh. Now I have to go and pray. And listen. Fine.
Talk to you later...
b
I love it! Availability and pay attention. These are themes we all could add to our roster! I'm certainly glad you 'listened' and joined our writing team.
ReplyDeleteConvicted--but in a good way. I know I'm not always good at paying attention--but for the writer AND for the believer, this is SO important. Years ago one of my Bible teachers challenged us to be F.A.T. people (Faithful, Available, Teachable). I think paying attention is an integral part of being FAT. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJoylene, Must say the photos were excellent in the post. Paying attention, and availability doesn't apply only to situations like the grocery clerk. I think we often need to pay attention and respond for the beauty we see all around. We miss out on many things. Thanks for the nudge. Also like Connie's F.A.T.
ReplyDeleteI love your conviction and courage, Joylene--thanks for the pep talk!
ReplyDelete