Wednesday, October 14, 2009

More

Have you ever asked the question:

Is there more to life than this?

I have found myself asking that question...especially on the 'ground hog' days of life. Remember that silly movie, where each day the actor woke up and it was the same day?

Well friends life can seem to appear that way for each of us. The same drive to work, same job, same household chores, the same routine, same menu each week.

This morning as I was running, in the comfort of my own home...its raining outside today and this girly doesn't too much care for running in the rain...it takes all my coordination to run on dry pavement!

I asked God for more.

And you know what He had the nerve to respond with?

Then Obey!

No wait I was speaking of more to life, you know the exciting, life changing stuff, you know I want more of You God!

Then Obey!

Seriously?

Yeah obey in all things.

So as I ran in the comfort of my own home I became a little uncomfortable, for I could hear Him whisper:


Submit all your worldly desires to me. The ones that have a financial price tag attached.

Submit your eating to me. Quit eating for comfort reasons.

Choose joy every time.

Quit being bitter, forgive the past, go on and love.

Set your mind on Me.

Trust me and Obey!

Wow now that's some stuff, can I just have one to work on for today?

But friends, I can't, you see I want MORE of Him, I want to experience ALL of what He has for me. And there are things in the way of that MORE.

"As much as my flesh wanted relief, I knew that when all was said and done, I'd sit on that side of glory having much rather fulfilled my calling than served myself all the way to meaninglessness. I had to accept that I was not called to an easy life. I was called to a purposeful life. "(Beth Moore)

Can you relate? Do you want More out of this life?

Is there something in the way of your More?

Selfishness?

Pride?

Avoidance?

Religion?

Addiction?

Fear?

God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways! Psalm 119:33-40 (The Message)

To get More we are asked to obey. What does it mean to obey?

Do what God wants and trust Him for the outcome.

"Beloved in the times of greatest struggle when you make the Godward decision over convenience, earthly comfort, or carnal pleasure, you too have come to a critical moment in the fulfillment of your destiny. A defining moment. A war is being waged over your head in the unseen realm, and a great cloud of witnesses is cheering you on. You have no idea what's at stake" (Beth Moore)

May we trust Him today, He has More for us!

12 comments:

Paula V said...

Amen!
There is much to be said about the act of obedience, the life of obedience...so many blessings abound in that.

Kimberly Rae said...

I believe God lead me to read your post today..which I so needed.. a lot of my life has had a 'price tag' on it and its caused a LOT of stress in my life... I've been able to keep this to myself (and well God) for a while and keep it under control (ok maybe not in control else I would not be in debt). and now for some reason I wonder if God is testing me in expecting me to 'expose' this out of control area to my future husband.

I know He has sent this most wonderful man into my life, I know that in my heart as too many things in both of our lives had to come together for us to even happen upon one another not to believe God had a hand in our meeting...

ugh its all so confusing sometimes... so how do YOU know your hearing God's voice and not just your own thoughts in your head???

achildoftheking said...

Thank YOU God for this reminder. A lesson we all need, even me. I thank You for using Nichole to teach these lessons. I pray for her. You know her more than I do and I just leave her with You. I pray that I seek You MORE. In Jesus' name, amen.

Joyful said...

This is so in line with my reading this morning.

Jesus gave the invitation, "Come, follow me." The responses came, "Lord, first let me..." and another, "Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me..." (Luke 9:57-62)

Wondering what "firsts" I'm putting before my "more".

Thanks for stirring my heart to obedience,
Joy

Sassymama said...

Nichole I think this has to be one of your best posts.

Sande said...

Theres a book by that title. "Has to be more" or something like that.

Don't we routine our lives so much that we squeeze out His routes, guenuine response to Him when He reveals Himself?

When we approach our children, never have they said, 'Sorry, mum. Can't accept or thank or enjoy you or your gift right now. Got some of your important work to do'.

Habits and routine can be propelling and a great scaffolding for achievement BUT they can also suffocate relationship! Our very nature of the journey of school, career, marriage, babies, ministry, etc etc .... squish the life of our true response to Him loving us.

His truth will set us free though

From the Heart said...

What a wonderful gift you have in being able to talk with God and hear Him answer. I've have been praying for that very thing. There have been a few times that I did hear that still small voice and it was so exciting but like you I want more.

Your post has helped me understand what I have to do. Now it's up to me to start letting go of some things. In Matt. 6:33 Jesus says: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

When you reach your senior years and start looking at what is happening in our own country, you start wondering what lies ahead for us. What will happen to us if all these Bills going to Congress are passed. I need to put these things in God's hands and cast all my care and worries upon Him because He is the only one that I can truly count on.
Thank you Nicole, for being so honest in your writings.

Sue J. said...

Our local Christian radio station is having its "Sharathon" coming up this month. They are standing on this Scripture from John, which I have been meditating on and seems appropriate in light of your blog:

[Jesus speaking] "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. HE WILL DO EVEN GREATER THINGS THAN THESE, because I am going to the Father. And I will do WHATEVER YOU ASK IN MY NAME, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."--John 14: 11-13 (emphasis mine)

Obedience is tough. It's like the rich guy who knew and obeyed all the commandments, but still kept his money tighter to himself than God. We obey to a point. Do we obey to the point that Christ obeyed His own Father? That wasn't about rules; that was amazing love! If we did, Scripture holds so many promises for us.

If we're having trouble with obedience--with full submission; with completely getting passed the obstacle of sin--we need to ask God to step in. We need to let His authority take over where we are powerless (which is everywhere!).

Sometimes, we have to run in the "rain." But that doesn't mean we have to run alone.

This was a powerful lesson this week, Nichole--thank you!

Runner Mom said...

This post was amazing! It's one of your best! Thank you so much for sharing it with me! I truly needed this one this morning. Love you, girl!

Hugs!
Susan

Melanie said...

So good to reconnect with you! Beautiful words n this post and your previous one. Thanks for your honesty!

Karen Hossink said...

That's right. Just obey.
How many times do we say that to our children?
"Honey, I just want you to obey. Trust that I know what is best for you and do as I say."
So easy to see when we're the ones "in charge." Lord, help us to understand it as Your children, too.

Lori said...

Oh, to trust and obey, for there's no other way! I was reminded of this again today in God's Word:
Luke 17:8 "show us how to increase our faith," the apostles ask the Lord, and what does the Lord say, "obey me," 17:10...simple, but why is it sometimes so hard? To submit and DO what our Father wills for us to do. When we submit, he is there to get us through anything that He has asked of us. As our Adonai, (God) has a right to expect complete obedience from us.

Thanks, Nichole, for this post! Let me not just "know," God's Word, but, "DO," it!
Lori - AZ