Whatever you do...

Most of the lessons I learn, I learn by making mistakes. Case in point - You don't have to touch a hot object to get burned. Steam also burns. How did I learn this? When I made schweinebraten for the first time (which, by the way, tasted fantastic). Second lesson - Never put butter on a burn. This is an old wives' tale and actually makes it worse. How did I learn this? You guessed it - by putting butter on my burned hand. Of course, after I did, the nurse on the phone tells me, "Whatever you do, don't put butter on it..."

I'm starting this blog because I want to be able to share what I'm in the process of learning and hopefully glean some wisdom from what you've learned. Mostly, I desire a certain level of community that doesn't happen in those short conversations that happen after church or in quick phone calls and emails (especially the calls I don't make and the emails I don't write). And honestly, if you ask me how I'm doing on any given day, I'm not too likely to launch into soul-searching dialogue.

Before I jump into where I'm at now, I'll bring you up to date with a brief description of the most important lessons I have learned in my adult life.

1. Get enough sleep. So basic. And so un-spiritual sounding. Yet it has taken me YEARS to learn, and has had a profound impact on my spiritual life. As it turns out, when I don't get enough sleep, I have no desire to serve God and no memory of what is most important to me.

2. My relationship with God is what matters most. Seems like a no-brainer, yet for so long I was riding on ministry accomplishments (or plummeting with ministry failures), the spiritual maturity of those around me, etc. Mind you, this is not a lesson that has truly been incorporated into my life. Mostly, I have narrowed, by process of elimination, what doesn't matter most. So, I am no longer relying on those other things. Now, it is glaringly obvious how truly lacking my relationship with God is.

3. Focusing on what matters most requires intentionally NOT doing the things that matter less. This one has been a long and difficult process. Not only is it difficult to say no, but it's difficult to figure out which activities and events get axed. Because often, it is the good that gets in the way of the best (does anyone remember who said that?). And there are things that seem SO IMPORTANT, but because they rank lower than God, and God isn't getting my time, they must go. And there are layers to this - I keep learning more. Just recently, I've realized that just because God has called me to build relationships during this season doesn't mean that I should say yes to all godly relational activities. I have to say no to some things (such as some events where I'll see a lot of people but not truly connect with anyone) and initiate others (such as having coffee with that person I've been meaning to have coffee with).

4. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Perfectionism stifles action. This really started to hit home (pardon the pun) when I subscribed to www.flylady.net - because the result of my waiting for perfection had resulted in a messy, dirty apartment. Flylady has helped me with tools such as...work on it for 15 minutes, then STOP - even though it's not perfect.

5. Serving God means finding out what He wants me to do during this season of my life. It isn't simply a matter of finding out what I'm good at and then doing it at church. It also isn't simply signing up wherever they are desparate for volunteers, or doing whatever someone pressures me into doing (we must trust God to fill the needs in His church!). In fact, it doesn't even mean finding out my calling in life and jumping in. Because God not only has a plan for my life, but he has a plan for me for right now. And for this season of my life, He has called me to build relationships. Why? And how does that fit into the greater calling He has for my life? Well, the truth is that I don't need the answer to that question in order to be obedient and blessed. All I need is direction for the next step and His strength to take that step.

6. True wisdom comes from living out the most basic lessons. It's so easy to get so consumed looking for new profound thoughts that I forget to base my life on the most important ones! I believe that the most wise people are not those who know the most Greek, who have preached the most thought-provoking sermons, or who have had the most ministry success. Those who are truly wise are the ones who landed on a simple, vital principle and allowed it to transform their life. Brother Lawrence - who simply practiced dwelling in God's presence, even when he was peeling potatoes. Mother Theresa, who found joy in serving those in need. The little old lady at church who lives a simple life and prays and prays and prays. When I was younger, I wanted to be someone who accomplishes incredible things for God. Then, I just wanted to be who God called me to be. Now, I just want God. I want to be one of those people that is brought to tears and overwhelmed with joy just talking about Him. Not because of what I could accomplish if I were that way, but because I want to be near Him! And this is not because I am Spiritual and Full of Good Character. It is because not being near Him hasn't really worked out for me.

WHAT I'M LEARNING NOW: So I feel like I've narrowed my life down to the most important activities. It's almost shocking how little I'm doing. Yet I am still not able to pull it off. And I have thought to myself, "If I can't pull of following God in THIS situation, what happens if I have children? Or if I'm suffering in some way?" Well, I have discovered what the missing element is. It's not just a matter of doing what I'm supposed to do and ONLY what I'm supposed to do - in a general sense. It's a matter of seeking God's direction moment by moment - keeping constant communion with Him - and doing things by His strength. In short, what I need is to be led by the Holy Spirit. I can't do this on my own! I know what you're thinking..."It took her this long to figure that out?" Well, you shouldn't be surprised - it took me years just to figure out (again and again) that I have to get enough sleep! (Speaking of which, I'd better be off to bed soon...)

So, here is a question for you...Do you stay in communion with God throughout the day? What helps you to do this? What helps you remember to do this? (please comment below!)