I would love to hear your stories and testimonies from September—how you embraced discomfort and, even more importantly, how God used it to draw you closer to Him and accomplish His purposes in your life. That’s always the goal, right?
Whenever I write these monthly focuses, I return to our yearly theme first, At His Feet. The Spirit often leads me to a passage of Scripture on our focus day for the next month. This time, I already knew where to turn because of my journaling for September’s focus on being willing to step into discomfort. At the very end of my journaling that I do for our staff time together a section of scripture popped into my mind. I looked it up and it fit for what we were talking about that day, but I knew it would have something to do with October.
Romans 12:1-2 says,
“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. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
I looked up this passage that day when we met as a team and shared it at the end of our time together. It fit so well as we talked about leaning in when the Spirit leads us to face something uncomfortable. It’s hard to be a living sacrifice because we can wiggle off the altar when it gets really uncomfortable. Over the past month, Mike and I both had difficult conversations—with business partners, family members, teammates, and even with each other. Through the years, we have learned how important, healthy, and godly it is to address things honestly. When we avoid doing so, we risk becoming duplicitous and simply trying to please people.
Often, when people are unwilling to address hard things, they explain it by saying they dislike confrontation. I would encourage you to see it differently—as an opportunity to grow and move toward a healthier place. Choosing honesty can lead to more authentic relationships with Jesus and with others. It’s really the way of love and grace that has been made and modeled for us.
Romans chapters 1-11 are where Paul is talking and explaining about the doctrine of salvation and it is the longest explanation in the New Testament, and chapters 12-16 is all about the application of that. Romans 12 then goes on to say “therefore”, or in light of the great plan of salvation, let us respond accordingly. How do we practically do that? It says that we should “offer our bodies (all that we are) as living sacrifices” daily to God. It should be a rational response to all that God has done for us. Living in the presence of God and considering how to surrender to His will in each situation can only be attained as we stay connected to Him in the Spirit.
In the midst of doing this right now there are things that continue to come up that I am very aware of that God is allowing to teach me things. Times that have seemed like it was maybe about someone else, but each time it has come back to what is going on within myself. It doesn’t mean that those things aren’t real, but where did I allow it to take me? God is showing me that He wants to teach me how to surrender in the situation and allow Him to help me be “in good spirits” no matter what is happening around me. I’ve been reading and meditating on Psalm 68 for over 10 days now. It talks so much about being in a place of warring but also about being in a place of praise. Then it says this twice – be in good spirits, which in other translations speaks of joy!
I caught it the first time I read it. It jumped out at me! I love it when that happens. As I continued to read it and declare it in prayer day after day, I began to notice where my heart and my mind was at. Was I in good spirits in the midst of the battle? If Romans 12 is about the application of my salvation to daily living, then I need to pay attention to where my heart is going and what it may cause in my thoughts and actions. God was using both Romans 12 and Psalm 68 to speak to me and refine me.
Over the past year, God has been using silence, solitude, and Lectio Divina meditation to help me slow down and practice His presence. Part of this practice is reading the same Scriptures repeatedly over days or weeks, then sitting with God and allowing Him to search my heart. As I breathe slowly and invite the Spirit to fill me, He whispers to my heart. The reality of Jesus’ love reaches a deeper place within me, bringing healing to my heart and mind. (If you would like to learn a little more about it go to Lectio 365 app)
I am going to continue to read and sit with both Romans 12 and Psalm 68 this month, remembering that it is about listening and being present with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I would encourage you to do the same and let’s see what God’s word produces in us. It will not return void.