far as the East is from the West

What are your plans? Are you planning out your day right now? How about your week? Month? Year? Do you check them off of a list on your phone or on paper? (Typically I’m more of a paper person — I feel so much more accomplished this way!!).

Let go of your plans.

For me, I tend to let my lists run my days. I LOVE the idea of being free and going with the flow, but honestly it’s hard for me to view that as successful. How would someone get anything done?? But this week, I learned checking things off the list ISN’T what is successful. Someone told me that when we step into Holy Spirit’s presence & REST in him we can still go about doing normal day to day life. Just because we are resting does NOT mean we need to STOP what we are doing. Yet, REST in him – ABIDE in him – be in PEACE as you are working on your tasks.

Let’s just take a moment, that can be pretty confusing. How can I rest AND focus on my lists. What does that look like? I’ve learned that you take some time out of your day (it doesn’t have to be hours or even 30 minutes, just MOMENTS) and focus on Him. Then carry on with your day with Him at the center – focusing on him – in PEACE.

Yesterday, as I was cleaning the bathroom (I honestly find this super hilarious & it shows me how my Father will literally show up anywhere) I was listening to the song “Control” by Tenth Avenue North. When I first heard this song, I started singing along because I have heard it countless times on the radio, (this year I am challenging myself to listen to the words of EACH and EVERY song I hear and sing it if I really mean it. I had grown to ignore the power in songs and how much power I release when I sing them) but then I paused and listened.

“God You don’t need me
But somehow You want me
Oh, how You love me
Somehow that frees me
To open my hands up
And give You control
I give You control”

For me this has become everyday life. I give Him control as we walk in PEACE together accomplishing my day. Talking about the future. Learning from the past.

I sit here writing this, again still learning to be in a place of rest and going about my day. I am learning to continually take moment after moment with Him, allowing Him to be at the center and THEN I can move forward. I don’t want to walk, run, or even move if we are not moving together in this relationship.

Surrender is hard, continual daily surrender is hard. Saying “YES” is hard. Resting in Him doesn’t have to be hard. Let it be easy, let Him speak to you, let Him love you. Abide in Him.

Give Him your lists.