Author: Meagan

Christine Caine’s words left an ache in my heart, “Their courage is immense – most expect to meet Jesus face to face in the next two weeks.  It is a powerful reminder right now of what matters – and making every opportunity count for eternity.”

“God, I feel helpless . . . will my prayers save anyone?”

I doubt I’m alone in these thoughts.  We watch the news, see the social feeds – everyone is yelling, “Pray! Pray! Pray!” … and all I seem to be experiencing is sadness, guilt, and despair.

If any of those words hit home to you – I have some direction for you. 

Paul was imprisoned for speaking about Jesus, he was facing execution.  He was in bondage and in a hopeless place, a place where death was knocking at the door ready to carry him away to meet Jesus face to face … And he tells his followers to, “rejoice” … and if you didn’t hear him the first time – he said it again, “Rejoice!” 

(Philippians 4)

Paul and Silas lay beat up, bruised, cut, and bleeding. Nothing good was happening. Death and despair was outwardly on display – and they praised God for who He is, not for what they were going through. 

They audaciously rebelled against the enemy who wanted to snuff out their life, cause them pain, and lead others away with worry and doubt – they rejoiced, and praised God for His being.

Rebel audaciously against the outward despair of current events – in the midst of the bad, fearful, heartbreaking news – rejoice about who God is.  Bring Him close to you through praise and focus.  Then, live out your rebellion to fear and worry by demonstrating His love and your dedication to Him, to another …

• Write the God infused post.
• Sing the song that brings hope.
• Smile at the stranger.
• Teach the Word of God to your children.
• Work as unto the Lord.
• Listen with grace and speak with salt.
• Help your neighbor.
• Put another before yourself.
• Rejoice!  For Who He is, not what you need.

Keep on keeping on in action and faith according to what the Word says.  The best way to cast off helplessness is to carry on giving Jesus where God has placed you.  Pray for the persecuted – and live as you will one day meet Jesus face to face. 

Keep in the faith,

 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”  Romans 8

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness (gentleness) be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4

In my opinion, August is a month that reminds us to live intentional.  You may find yourself intentionally lingering in the evening air, knowing soon, the night’s chill will press you indoors.  It’s easy for a mom to become hyper intentional to a child who’s growing into a new season, a new grade, or a new home.  We embrace the lasts of their season knowing time only moves forward and never backward.  We speak with intention, knowing that clarity is valuable to cloudy thoughts.  We discipline with intentional directives, knowing boundaries give way to clear paths and consequential understanding.

Being intentional is equipping your current action for the best future outcome.

I’m intentional with my daughter’s schooling, her friendships, what she’s reading and watching – how she spends her time and what she eats … intentional with equipping her for the days ahead.  And while I chop vegetables and place them in easy find containers (because apparently cereal is easier to find) – I’m asking myself, do I need to be more intentional with myself?

Here are three areas I’m giving intention to:

(I hope this inspires you as well!)

Being intentional with my time. 

Is there a time sucker in your home?  I’ll admit my phone will suck my time away … a quick google question will lead me onto trails of non-sense and a quick social media scroll never ends up being quick!  If you can relate? – We need to be intentional with things like creative time or meeting with a friend over coffee.  When we engage in actives that bring out our best self, promote growth, or encourage new ideas – we’ll be investing into your future by living intentionally with our time now.

Engaging relationships with intentional purpose. 

In a room full of people, I can find myself mentally falling asleep – it’s true.  Knowing how you engage best with others is key to being intentional when you gather.  If you’re a social butterfly – feel free to work the room!  If you’re an introverted old soul such as myself – consider meeting one or two friends at a time.  How can you equip your friendships with the intentional best version of you?

Making intentional good choices.

Remember the vegetables mentioned above?  Yeah, they’re for me too, because reaching for pretzels is easier than peeling a carrot.  One good choice leads to the next right choice.  Making intentional good choices (anything from food, exercise, money, people you hang out with) reflect a disciplined character – someone who understands their consequences is a result of the choices they made.    How can you engage your places of choice with intentional solutions that lead to the next right choice?

Friends, intentional living is knowing who you are and addressing the truth of what causes you to stumble, feel lost, or lose motivation.  Recently, in a blah state of mind, I realized I hadn’t read anything that inspired or challenged me – it had been weeks since I’d read a good book.  I’d become irritated with laborious tasks and bitter at choices being made – too much time passed since I’d given thanks and gratitude for the laborious tasks that are a blessing to my family.  Knowing I need to be challenged and spend time pondering my many blessings – I was able to make intentional changes that redirected my heart.  Know who you are and what you need to do to bring yourself back to intentional living. 

• Let’s be intentional with reading the Word – it will direct our heart and expose our motives. 
• Let’s be intentional with our relationships – they’re the only transferable thing into Heaven.
• Live intentional with yourself – allow for grace and be motivated by God’s love and purpose for your life.

I’d love to hear what you’re doing to intentionally invest into your spirit, soul, and body!  Leave a comment – inspire us with ideas!   And if you’re new here, I’d love to see you on my subscribed list! ♥

Blessings,

Have you ever stood at a crossroad, a place of decision making?  Physically I’ve driven through many – and let me tell you, more often than not I’ve made the wrong turn.  If only my GPS would say things like, “Don’t turn here, Meagan – it’s the next right.”  And when it tells me to “head South East” . . . does it think I’m military trained?!   It would seem no matter how precise my navigation system is – I will ultimately get lost and re-routed until eventually I get to my destination.

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Making a wrong turn doesn’t mean you’re doomed to never reach your destination.

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If you’ve ever asked the question, “Where do I go from here?” or, “What am I to do now?” . . . every beginning and end to a season of life has us standing at crossroads pondering, and sometimes worrying, about not getting to our “God designed” destination –  fear of making a wrong choice leaves some of us crippled into making no choice.

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Here’s what I’ve learned:  God uses wrong turns, missed turns, and re-routed routes.  Have we limited God’s power and sovereignty to “If you aren’t exactly & precisely where I called you to be – it’s game over. Lost. Doomed.”?

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I can recall many times when I’ve heard people pray or speak about being in God’s perfect will – we desire to be exactly where God wants us to be.  It’s  good to want to please God – however, too much emphasis on not missing the mark, places ourselves in a state of spiritual perfection where we fear making a wrong choice.

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When a young woman asked me, through tears, if she was in God’s will? – I asked her, “Are you partaking in obvious sin that God is convicting you to stop doing? Because you can’t be out of His will unless you have knowingly denied Him.”  The struggles this woman was going through was not a reflection of being out of His will – they were a reflection of her obeying God’s leading, and the journey He had her on was strengthening and growing her faith.

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Struggles on your journey are not always an indication of being in or out of God’s will – they are a reflection of what and whom you chose to lead you.  Struggles strengthen our faith or strengthen our flesh – you choose.

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God is bigger, better equipped, and full of re-routed plans for us.  All His ways are higher – He see’s more than us – has planned more than us – and is waiting for us at every right or left turn.  We need not be spiritual perfectionist – we simply need to choose, listen, and obey.

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“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7

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Doing nothing will get you nowhere.  Take the step, turn the wheel, make the choice – and listen with a heart willing to obey Father.

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Blessings,

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