What God Really Wants

Just one simple thing

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What God Wants

What if all that God requires of me
is the simplest thing
as I wake in the morning
before I do any other thing
before I make any other decision
about what to eat
or what to wear
before I speak
or comb my hair
before I sit at my desk
what if I simply ask
“What do You have for me today?”
and listen to what He has to say?

Just one simple thing

What if it’s that simple? I mean, really that simple? Have we been overcomplicating this trust in God thing?

Have we wasted so much time reading the perfect study books and taking the ideal writing courses? Maybe attending the excellent workshops or listening to the ones we think have the perfect biblical answers?

I was busy doing all of those things and getting nowhere until I remembered that God had the answers to all my questions. He knew me better and more intimately than anyone else.

Better than anyone who I thought knew what was best for me. He knew my struggles and how I could overcome the fogginess in my mind and aching in my heart. And who knows social media marketing algorithms better?

“It’s acceptable. It’s been normalized. It’s expected. But that doesn’t make it right.”

 Kimberley Payne’s devotional on ‘Busyness.’

I wanted to serve Him, but I’d forgotten to ask what He wanted me to do!

His burden is light

Now I make sure I choose to ask God every morning before I do anything else. I thank Him for the new day and the opportunity to serve Him as His daughter.

I wait for Him to speak to me and ask what He wants me to learn that day. Then I choose one devotional book and follow the writer’s prompts to read further in Scripture.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29–30, NIV)

I usually get a prompt to think about something throughout the day. Sometimes I get an idea for a short memoir or a few lines for a poem! Sometimes I’m led to talk with a friend or maybe pray for someone that suddenly comes to mind out of the blue.

All other things stand firm in their rightful position for the day if that one foundation is laid first. Even if I’m not prompted to do anything, I know I’m still in His will because I did the simplest thing first — I asked.

So, as I go about my day, I occasionally pause and listen, content to wait for His answer.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33–34 NIV)


*This post was initially published by Lynne on Medium in the publication Koinonia on April 29, 2022

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Spent

I enjoy writing the occasional poem, although I continue to take classes to hone the art. Here’s one of my poems from a few weeks ago when we were in the middle of the pandemic and I was exhausted from trying to do too much. I’d been taking in too much information from social media and the news and fallen into the trap of “shoulds.” I’d become SPENT.

How are you fairing these days? Are you too overrun with information and drained from lack of fresh air and socialization? I hope you’re connecting with those who fill you up and not so much with those who leave your spirit spent.

woman in black cloak with fishing pole standing in beach
Photo by Engin Akyurt on Pexels.com

SPENT

Spent.

All of it spent.

Nothing left to give.

Words lay dead as brown leaves covered by icy cold white.

Barren.

Empty soul

Why do you torment me?

I desire

But there’s no life,

No expression,

Only an empty vessel.

A tornado of stories

Half-written,

Half-lost

To me.

I’m not this.

Let me be.


Be safe, be well, be blessed, and remember — you are loved by the One who created you in His image.

Til next time

Lynne