When our Patterns become our Problem.

Y'all

the Lord has done amazing things in 2015 so far.

 

I hope and pray that each of you have sat at his feet and tasted

of the joy that 2015 holds already.

 

I always have an urge to post, but sometimes

I just don't really have the words to say.

 

Today's Friday, this week has been super crazy

and life this semester consists of

handwriting (thank you elementary education degree)

endless emails

daunting discussion board posts

long hours of lectures

never ending reading assignments

homework galore

leadership duties

working 4 days a week

and applying for a new leadership position

including interviews and such.

soaking up every moment spent with friends

and trying to deny the odds that I will soon

take on the nickname "hermit"

 

but y'all

 there is so much joy in the chaos of life.

Jesus works in the smallest of spots to provide

such life and happiness

such comfort, hope and peace

even when the due dates are daunting

and the inbox is full.

 

ya know,

I sat down this afternoon after a rather frustrating day

and decided to listen to a sermon

 

and the Pastor started to discuss

how pattern is our problem.

 

I know, you're like what?

me too.

 

but as it started to sink in, I started to realize how gracious the Lord

was in allowing me to realize this concept weeks ago without even realizing it.

 

We title ourselves with these obsurd things

and blame others.

 

"Oh well, I stay up all night, drink caffeine, watch tv

think about stressful things and eat unhealthy snacks until midnight

but im not a morning person"

 

"The last 4 generations have been alcoholics,

so I really can't control it. it's in my genes"

 

there are so many more scenarios,

but y'all may we realize that these titles are not

in our genes, or a type of our personality.

 

they're excuses.

we have problems, because we create patterns that caused them.

 

we joke around negatively about something and before we know it,

we live in a constant state of negativity.

 

these are just patterns, that are a problem.

 

oh children of God,

may we create patterns that are positive.

ones that allow us to reap the harvest of the Lord

and display his splendor.

 

the Lord has granted me such a fresh start in 2015.

 

I mean top to bottom.

new attitude, new studying habits, new eating habits, new dressing habits,

new friendships, new oppurtunities, new hope, new habits in being intentional

about proclaiming the name above every other name

and so many more.

 

Creating those patterns, I shared in my last post has allowed

me to see that my walk with the Lord wasn't suffering because I was

without love for the King, and growing in Him.

it was simply because I never had patterns to permit growth.

 

Creating patterns to be in the word daily, watch pastors speak, listen to scripture,

worship him, etc

allowed the Lord to create in me a new pattern

a pattern to grow and bear fruit.

 

Our God is a giver of grace

2nd chances

and new patterns.

 

May we start establishing these patterns

and quit allowing our unhealthy

destructive patterns, to be our problem.

 

and let the Lord, use our patterns to produce.

 

until next time,

Austyn