That's just the way I am - 3 part series

Hello Lightbrights! How you doing?

We are more than half way thru 2024, so I'm aiming to finish this year with some blogs that will make us all look inward to address the changes we want to see in us spiritually, so we can be our most effective persons for God's kingdom work.

This 3 part blog series is going to show us all a mirror of ourselves . We've all said it before and some of you still say it - "Oh that's just the way I am". Or you've said "The Lord knows my heart" or my favorite "Accept me or move around". While in a few instances when we take these stance, it could be true- maybe you are just being misunderstood or what you say or said is being misinterpreted, but if we're honest 9 times out of 10- we are using these phrases as sin crutches for our bad behaviors, speech and attitude.

So let's see what God says about how we are to live this set apart life and allow the Holy Spirit to work on our characters.

You see the thumbnail pic of me above right? And the not so good characters traits of worrying, procrastinator, fearful, etc. around it. Well, remove my pic and imagine your picture there instead... And I'm sure you've got some other choice words like mine that should be there. James 1: 23-25 says, Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

It's good to do a self check in the spiritual mirror to see if we are lining our actions and speech up with the word of God. If we notice character flaws and sinful under tones in our walk, it's a must that we address them so we can change, and the 1st step is always admitting. I can admit I'm a control freak at times. I like certain things done and also done a certain way- usually my way. There have been times that my way wasn't the most sufficient but it's what I wanted, and usually those never worked out in my favor. Proverbs 14 :12 says There is a way that seems right to a man, but it's end is the way of death. The sin in being a control freak shows lack of trust in God and pride. To totally trust God I have to let go of my thoughts of what I think should be done and go to Him in prayer and confidence that He knows what I need and the best way for my life in whatever circumstance I am facing. Being sinfully prideful gets us nowhere and make us children of the devil and not of God.

Now that I've mentioned one of my flaws let's talk about one that a lot of people deal with-PROCRASTINATION. This gets many people in trouble with being stuck and stagnant spiritually, emotionally and financially. Putting off something for tomorrow that you can begin or finish today shows a lack of life time management, setting priorities and taking life for granted. There is a time to stand still but there is also a time to move!

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we find that there is a right time for everything. One of the most horrific scenes of procrastination in the bible is played out before us in Genesis chapter 19. Lot and his family procrastinated leaving Sodom so much, that the angels literally hand to grab them and lead them out by the hand out of the city so they would not be destroyed. We then see Lot's wife longing to still be there, looking back and gets turned into a pillar of salt. And isn't that what some of us do? We long for yester-year or yesterday so much, that it freezes us in time, we can't go back, and we won't move forward- either out of fear, or rebellion. This is sinful because it shows we think we know better than God, we don't trust Him, or maybe you are harboring some guilt or anger in your current situation- all which the enemy can use to keep you bound, not growing or being fruitful in your life or service to God.

I found this verse also interesting in Eccl. 11:4. It says, Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. Looking at your current circumstances instead of working toward the better goal keeps you stagnant. You see procrastinating equals not working, not growing, not trusting, just standing still getting nowhere.

If it's fear of the future that keeps you from moving- build up your trust in God.

If it's fear of what others may say, remind yourself that your true identity is in Christ and not the world.

If it's lack of wisdom on how to move, pray to God who gives it freely to all who ask of Him. If it's lack of resources, rely on God, seek His direction because everything belongs to Him and it is He who blesses and satisfies all our needs.

So you see there is nothing good that comes from procrastination.

There are times God will remind us to stand still, and we should heed His warnings. Then there are times when He has told you to move, He's waiting on you to move, and we just don't do it for whatever reason.

Today, do a mirror check. After you've checked yourself and see all the hairs are in place, you look and smell good- then do a spiritual mirror check.

Is there something God has told you to do? Is there a spiritual or physical move you need to make? Is He telling you to let someone go? Has He shown you something that you're just not ready to accept?

Are you ready to make the move and stop procrastinating?

I pray you are. He's waiting on you to guide you thru it.

I promise if He is orchestrating it, you will be better on the other side of the move.

Our next blog- part 2 of the series is discussing worrying and what God says about it.

See you next time.

Until then, keep shining!

Kee Isadore

Scripture for mediation:

Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Hebrews 12:11 -No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

James 4:17-If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.