There are several lessons that I seem to be learning on a daily basis that God is showing and teaching me.
Recently, I have been on a slow journey of self discovery...Kind of sorting out why I do what I do or think what I think and really working through some of the roots and sources I have in my life.
One of the biggest things God has been showing me is the importance of enjoying life. It sounds like a selfish, fleshly thing to learn at the first thought, but I have come to realize that is how He created life to be lived!
I have a great job that I am so very thankful for, but as for most of us, it is not necessarily what I do for enjoyment! With work comes pressures and stress and deadlines and expectations. But what happens after work? More work? I have the tendency to be a workaholic. I just want to get "it" done! Whatever "it" may be. That philosophy does not trickle over to my personal life whatsoever. The "do" factor stays at the office door and when I go home, a lot of times I "do" nothing. And by "nothing" I really mean laundry, dishes, dusting, cleaning up, cleaning out, or just watching TV on the couch, all night. I didn't take the time to ENJOY myself.
I am a creative being. I love to create things, be creative, and think creative. It is my favorite! And sooo fun! However, by the time we got home, I was exhausted and felt guilty for thinking or doing creative things instead of doing necessary things (chores). Why was that? I know I am created to be creative. If that wasn't the case, I wouldn't be creative. Simple, yes, but true. And in my creativity within the Creator, I find my purpose. So, for a while, my creative outlet was research. I would find new ways to do things, new things to do. Scrapbooking, card making, beading, sewing, knitting, crocheting, painting, clay making, needlepoint and the list goes on! (Yes, I have done every one of those AT LEAST once if not on a regular, rotating basis.) So I collected all of these ideas, but that's all I had to show for it. Ideas. Thoughts. Nothing actually to show. Sadly enough, it fulfilled my creative knack, until I actually realized that I wasn't doing anything.
So recently, I have been forcing myself to DO something and I have had the time of my life! Because it's something I love and I'm productive with it, it makes me happy and fulfilled. It gives me a sense of fun purpose.
Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
There are many ways to look at this scripture:
How when you delight yourself in the Lord, His desires become your desires because you are in accordance with Him.
But probably my favorite interpretation of that scripture is God created us the way He created us for a reason. So when we use what we were created for (in my case, creativity) we are delighting Him because that is why He created us.
He did not create us to hate our jobs and our lives and walk around on this planet as miserable, pathetic creatures. He created us to be all that He has called us to be and that is to be POWERFUL where he has gifted us! And when we operate in our CALLING (not necessarily our jobs) we are fulfilled and happy and He is pleased!
Therefore, take time to find where your gifting and interests are and if there is no place in the schedule of your busy life to tap into it, make time! You will be a happier, more fulfilled person when you take the time to enjoy life!
Where is your "sweet spot"? How do you enjoy life?
What is God teaching you right now?
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