An Uncluttered Life | Passage from Jesus Calling
“Stop trying to work things out before their times have come. Accept the limitations of living one day at a time. When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today’s agenda. If it isn’t, release it into My care and go on with today’s duties. When you follow this practice, there will be beautiful simplicity about your life; a time for everything, and everything in its time.
A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered. When your focus is on My presence, many things that once troubled you lose their power over you. Though the world around you is messy and confusing, remember that I have overcome the world. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.”
–Jesus Calling
Any obsessive planners out there? If I could truly learn to live one day at a time, all the uncertainty of life would not continually shake my peace. Yesterday, God threw a wrench in what Michael and I thought He wanted for our future. Do I trust Him? Absolutely. I will write about how I trust God’s plans are better than my plans ALL DAY LONG. I could name 6 verses by memory that state that truth. But my heart clings to anxiety, wrapping it’s tiny little hands around fear. What am I holding onto? My plans for the future & how I want my life to play out. But as we learned yesterday, all this clinging does is bring a fistful of ashes.
I know the future is uncertain for many of you. If we hold tightly to anything, let it be the peace that stands even when we do not know what tomorrow brings. I pray your peace today comes from an uncluttered life at the Cross.
Is it hard for you to live one day at a time? How are trying to “work things out” in your life?
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Wow. Great thought to start off my morning with. Thank you for your words. Be blessed!
Thank you-blessings to you and yours!
You would think having grown up in a situation where one phone call could change all plans (my father was a funeral director, serving the community, so no employees) i would have no trouble with this, but in spite of that, or perhaps because of that, i have trouble with living one day at a time. That song is my prayer. i want to know ahead of time what we want to do, even if it doesn’t pan out in the end. Thank you for the timely post, and for sharing.
Hi Marianne. Thanks for sharing. It would be easy if we could put into practice what we know to be true-even after this post, I have struggled all day to cling to peace!
These posts have been so timely. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
You’re welcome. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Ruthie
I had just finished reading JesusCalling when I read your post for the day. Do you think God is speaking to me? I love how He never tires of telling us God is good .
Aunt pattie
Hi Aunt Pattie! It would seem that He is. Thanks for commenting. He never grows weary of telling us we can trust Him!
Oh yes, I cling to how I want my future to be! Job in the UK, France or America, husband (and I know who I’d like it to be!), and children at some point. It terrifies me that it may not happen like that- heart knowledge of the goodness of God’s plans are hard, even if I ‘know’ it in my head.
Hi L, I’ve been there before. It’s hard to imagine how life could possibly be good when it’s different from what we dream and hope for. Praying for peace for you, dear sister.
Ruthie,
The other night I was telling my friend how I wished there were 48 hours in a day, and more than 7 days in a week, because I felt like I had so much on my plate. The next morning, I opened Jesus Calling up and saw “Accept the limitations of living one day at a time,” and it was just what I needed to hear! I’ve had so much going on this week and have felt overwhelmed, but I realize that the Lord has seriously provided enough time for me to get everything done that I need to and what a blessing that is! Just a few minutes ago I was wondering how tomorrow was going to look with and was feeling overwhelmed, but then I saw that quote again in your post and what a perfect reminder that I need to trust Him with my day, every day. It’s so cool how God needed to remind me of this again and used your blog to do so! Thank you!
Hi Ellen, the Lord always knows our limitations and will meet us where we are. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
I’m struggling right now because I know that my wonderful Jesus has called me to be a teacher but I don’t want to. I’m afraid.
I’m not brilliant, I’m immature, and not good at being “professional.” I’m afraid of the tests I have to take to get my credentials ( the RICA is not my friend) and I keep thinking about the fact that I don’t influence children to be the best they can be. I would appreciate your prayers.
Hey Ana, you are well equipped to that which He has called you to do Sister. You can do ALL things through Christ who gives you strength. Smile, you are a brilliant girl and God is going to use you to win children to His Kingdom. He has called you because He knows the potential in you, He knows what you can and can’t do. You are going to positively impact the children’s lives in Jesus Name. Go for it.
You’re blessed!
Olá Tatuu,
Muito obrigada pelos comentários tao simpáticos.
A little Portuguese for you
-A
Oi Ana!!! Wow!!! You have made my week already! :DTenha uma semana abençoada minha querida!
I love this! Glad you two are chatting. I wish I knew Portuguese. Have a joyful day!
Thanks for sharing this Ruthie! I am the kind of girl who gets serious headaches for trying to figure things out and planning for the future.
I am letting it go- God is in control.
Amen. He is ALWAYS in control. Easier to know than actually put into practice.
Currently, it seems I am babysitting an IT Band injury that will not let me run more than 2 miles. (and I shouldn’t be running at all per my husband’s loving advice) I am mentally so frustrated and it is right where God wants me. It’s just like him to give me over to my idols for a short time when I stubbornly won’t put them in their right place. And the result was gloriously rebellious for a while but then injury struck. Sigh…. Rest….it is hard. But I am slowly learning to relinquish control of my time and “unclutter” my life of the demands for excessive exercise. My time is not my own. My peace is very easily stolen from me when I don’t have time for my “idols”. Jesus is more valuable. Loving and honoring my husband by keeping the house clean and his clothes washed is more valuable. Sitting in the sun and reading his Word is more valuable (and enjoyable). Thank you for your conviction and encouragement once again, dear friend.
I’ve been in your exact shoes before. IT Band injuries are painful & not running is hard! It’s easier for me to run than rest. But God always meets us where we are and has a purpose for making us be still. Thanks for sharing. I’ve run maybe 6 times in the past 4 weeks, if that makes you feel any better!
Love Love Love this. Thank you for sharing. It has truly blessed me.
Hey, I’m Kio from Nairobi-Kenya.
I was/am a super planner who used to get anxious and irritable when things do not go as planned but God has and is continuing to teach me to let it all go and rest in Him-its not an easy lesson but once you get over not having the plan yourself, He blesses you with undescribable peace and joy.
To Anna: Trust God. He never leads you to a place where he hasn’t gone been and already prepared for you.
He has already equipped you with all you need to be the kind of teacher your kids will need. And He will guide you
I had the same calling a few years back and I really struggled with it but I finally surrendered and God led me to teaching music! I loooove what I do now and I am grateful to God for guiding me and humbled everyday by His using me.
Jer 29:11
‘For I know the plans I have for you’says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’
Psalms 139 always helps me put things in perspective
He loves you and works out things for your good-always.
As Ruthie puts it ‘He is a good Dad.’
Hi Kio! Thanks for speaking truth & love to Ana.
I’d love for more of my readers to talk & encourage each other. Made my day!
Friends-don’t be afraid to speak words of truth and life to our sisters who are struggling.
Joy!
Hi Kio!
Nice reading this from a fellow Kenyan.
Ana dear, you have been loved all the way from Kenya girl and we are praying for you.