The Off-Track Twists and Turns

Getting Off Track

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The Garden Path by Simon Howden

As we travel upon our pathways of purpose, we will experience getting off-track from time to time. As much as we desire to avoid this, we can take comfort in knowing that getting off-track for a short time can actually support our journeys.

Have you ever shifted from feeling purely inspired to downright discouraged? As we live on purpose, we feel ready to help the world, prepared to make a difference and passionate to help others. Yet, at times, interruptions happen, emergencies arise or criticism assaults us. Suddenly we can feel discouraged, frustrated – and off-track from our purposeful course. Perhaps we may even feel unaccomplished and unfulfilled; we may subsequently question if we will truly ever achieve that upon which we have set our hearts and our paths.

How can we then move from being discouraged to being inspired? How can the off-track twists and turns actually help us to travel more purposefully?

– First, take comfort that God loves you for who are in Christ. He loves your being and not simply your doing. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) Our faith in Christ, our receiving Him in our hearts, secures our standing with God. Yes, God wants us to obey His Word and work faithfully for His Kingdom. Yes, He wants us to experience victory in living in His Truth. Yet, irrespective of circumstance, God loves you as His cherished child for who you are in Christ.

– Second, remember that feeling off-track indicates that you were indeed on-track! Yes, it reflects that you were previously moving intentionally and purposefully. The recognition of being off-track therefore allows you to move again to being on-track. Do not count the steps you could have taken if you had not been interrupted. Do not contemplate how far you could have traveled upon your path if you had not veered off-course. Simply take heart that you are on the path again – and keep going!

– Third, connect humbly and gratefully with God to discover what you can learn from the distractions and emergencies and criticisms. Ask Him how you can better handle these situations. Such events are opportunities in which we can grow. We can react in frustration or anger or discouragement. Or we can react in love and compassion and hope. The very twists and turns that seem to pull us from our path may actually propel us further upon our path if we react to them with a loving heart. We may amidst certain trials, for example, grow in patience, in wisdom or in generosity.

God is sovereign and allows events to happen, even those which we perceive to lead us from our course. We must discern how these events can help us to grow and how they can support – rather than hinder – our movement upon our purposeful pathway. We fix our trust in God “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Today, as you journey upon your purposeful pathway, embrace the twists and turns and obstacles that you may encounter. Recognize that being off-track may actually help your course if your heart is open to the life lessons which therein lie; realize also that what you may perceive to be off-track may actually be a powerful part of your pathway. Those very twists and turns may lead you closer to your destination and to God Himself. Open your heart and allow God to work through all situations. Then faithfully follow Him step by step…

~*~

How did you feel the last time you got off track?

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Aug 22, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 1 Comment

Celebrating Change

Another incredibly powerful tool for purposeful living is the ability to celebrate and embrace change.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

Our Lord, Our God, is constant, eternal, unchanging. He is the Alpha and Omega: omniscient, omnipotent and everlasting. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) The essence of this created world, however – with every creature, every flower, every leaf, every bird, every rock – is change. We see clearly that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Life flows in a constant flux, so resistance to the flow of change inevitably causes conflict. Yielding to and flowing with change, however, leads to peace, hope and eager expectation for the future.

When we do not find our joy and peace in the unchanging God, it is easy for us to seek fulfillment through attachment: attachment to things, to people, to relationships, to circumstances. When changes threaten these temporal attachments, we begin to fear; we grow anxious, discouraged and sometimes angry. Yet God created the world in a state of change – with day and night, with summer and winter, with life and death. “My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.” (Psalm 102:11) The constant movement of daylight and of seasons reflects this natural law and encourages us to embrace the flow of change. God – yes, only God – is the Source of true stability and solidity.

When we allow God to fill us, when we invite God to bring us hope, when we embrace His love, we need no attachments. We can proclaim confidently that “He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:6) In doing so, we embrace the changes God allows. We look forward with great anticipation the good things which will come. For we know that “He is the rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Is there any area in your life in which you are not embracing change? Are you clinging to any attachments? As you travel upon your purposeful pathway, I encourage you to embrace the love of God and celebrate the flow of change. Discover firsthand the liberating paradox: by clinging firmly to the Eternal God and standing firmly on the Rock of Truth, you will flow freely and peacefully with the beautiful currents of time and change.

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.” (2 Samuel 22:31)

~*~

How will you celebrate change today?

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Aug 15, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth 13 Comments

Life Fragrance: What is Expressed When You are “Pressed”?

Life Fragrance

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As we seek to live with purpose and peace, it helps to draw metaphors from Nature to more clearly understand God’s purposes and God’s ways. The fragrance released when grass is cut is both beautiful and refreshing. As it grows undisturbed, the fragrance of grass is mild; but, when grass is cut, the fragrance it emits is aromatic and powerful.

We can bring this fragrance metaphor to our own lives and ministries.”For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 15) It is natural for us to view favorably the periods of ease. Yet, when our lives flow undisturbed and without trial, the true depth and strength of our love and faith is concealed.

When, however, we are in the midst of trials – when we are cut and squeezed and pressed – the essence of who we are flows forth for the world to experience. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the fragrance of the Spirit beautifully rises from us. God’s Love and Light flow through us as an incredible testimony, a fragrant evidencing of Him. We discover that “we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair.” (2 Corinthians 4:8)

As we commit to purposeful living, it is helpful to evaluate the fragrance we emit…for our fragrance evidences our essence. Trials are opportunities in which to release our fragrances, to bear our fruit, to expose to others the Spirit of the Lord which resides within us.

The following steps will help us to embrace trials and challenges as opportunities:

– Reflect upon the essence that fills your heart. What flows forth from you in times of trial, the times of pressing? Is it love, patience and forgiveness? Or is it anger, resentment and overwhelm? Write about specific circumstances of trials in your life and the fragrances revealed in your responses and feelings.

– Review the times in your life in which challenge ultimately yielded incredible good. Journal about these periods and the resulting positive outcomes.

– Determine what you can do to sweeten your life fragrance. Do you need to practice forgiveness? Could you incorporate more time for prayer and meditation? Do you need more involvement with your church family? Do any sinful patterns exist that prevent the Holy Spirit from fully dwelling within you? Is your relationship with God deeply personal and continuously growing? Take time to closely meditate on these questions and to journal about your discoveries.

As you journey purposefully, pause to enjoy the delightful fragrances of Nature. Reflect also upon your own life essence. When trials arise, what aroma will flow forth from you? “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1) How can your life of living sacrifice grow more fragrant and holy and pleasing to God? Trials and challenges are indeed opportunities, for they reveal the depth of faith and love that lies within heart.

~*~

What steps will you take to sweeten your life fragrance today?

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Aug 9, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling 7 Comments

My Personal Purposeful Pathway

Sharing My Personal Purposeful Pathway

I thoroughly enjoyed sharing about my personal purposeful pathway on the FINDING YOUR VOICE Internet Radio show with Joel Boggess.

I am grateful to Joel for taking the time to interview me, and it was an honor to speak about where God has led me and where He now leads. It is a tremendous blessing to recognize how all circumstances in my life – both good and bad – have been woven into a beautiful tapestry. Truly our LORD does work all for good to those who love Him.

My hope and prayer is that the interview will both encourage and inspire you. May you continue to heal so that you can hear His voice. May you continue to grow more like Christ so you can grow more into your true self. May you continue to keep your eyes fixed on eternity so that your feet will step surely upon your own purposeful pathway…

http://www.4pointscoaching.com/032-finding-your-voice-a-passion-to-bring-healing/

Jul 26, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Holistic Healing, Spiritual Growth, Vocation / Career / Calling Leave a Comment

Embracing the Challenge

Embracing the Challenge

One of the most powerful methods for purposeful living is embracing each challenge as both blessing and opportunity. Power lies not in simply accepting or resigning to challenges – but in fully and gratefully embracing them.

As we journey upon our purposeful pathways, we discover that challenges and obstacles exist to strengthen us and to mold us more like Christ. If we encounter a pattern of similar trials, we find that it is in this area of challenge that we have not yet yielded fully to God. Our Lord speaks through these challenges and calls us to transform ourselves by abiding in Him. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

God desires to have a relationship with each of one of us, and He desires for us to grow more like Christ. The more faithfully we abide in Christ, the more we live for God’s glory. The more we resemble Christ, the more we live as our authentic selves – selves untainted by the anxieties, the deceptions and the sinfulness of the world.

Trials, therefore, provide incredible opportunity to examine ourselves, to grow more like Christ and to know Him and love Him more deeply. When we yield to God, we are aligned with His Will. His power is able to flow through us and transform us. “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (1 Thessalonians 2:9)

Submitting to God and allowing Him to work in our weakness manifests a compelling testimony to others. The secret is to embrace rather than resist or simply resign to the challenges. For the more you gratefully accept the challenges, the more His power can work through you to fulfill His loving plan.

Walking upon your purposeful pathway today, I encourage you to embrace the obstacles which lie before you. A stronger, more loving, more Christ-like you lies on the other side of the challenge…

How will you practice embracing the challenge today?

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Jul 23, 2011 By Caroline Gavin Spiritual Growth 8 Comments