Have you ever had a random thought pop in your head? Or a memory from forever ago? It happens to me a lot and lately, I've been questioning why. Why did this memory suddenly come to the front of my brain? Why did that advice from 10 years ago rush to my memory like I heard it yesterday for the first time? I believe everything happens for a reason. But, not just any reason. I believe God is in control of the universe (though, I won't elaborate on freedom of choice and "why do bad things happen?" and the million other God-related topics out there that immediately come to mind for some people). What I will mention is that I believe GOD is placing these thoughts in my mind to teach me something. He's reminding me of the wisdom someone passed on long ago, because I need it now (or will need it soon). And he is pushing that random thought to the front of my brain because he wants me to act on it.
Here's what I mean, more specifically.
The last couple of days...maybe a week, I have been thinking of the whole "pay it forward" concept. The first day, it was in and out. The second time I thought of it, I reacted with, "Weird. Why am I randomly remembering this concept from a movie I saw a long time ago?" When the thought popped in my head AGAIN, I was like, "Okay. There's a reason for this." Apparently I'm a little slow... ;) I decided to start paying attention to the good things people might do for me so that I can be sure to "pay it forward". I haven't noticed anything until today. A friend of mine mentioned on facebook that she was crabby this morning because the Starbucks line was slow and she was worried she would be late for class. Well, she pulled up to the window to grab her drink only to find out that the person in front of her (who was taking so long) paid for my friend's order! Random?! Only kind of...who does that?! I mean sometimes I think, "I wanna pay for the person behind me...but isn't that weird? Or what if they have an order I don't have enough money for? Then I'll look like a jerk for saying 'Nevermind. I thought is was like $2.'" SO.....I don't do a darn thing.
So what does my friend's free coffee have to do with something nice happening to me that I can pay forward? Nothing. And that's the point. I realized, when evaluating this whole situation, that God doesn't always tell us things for us. He doesn't always allow things to happen in our lives for our own benefit. When we ask Him to use us to make a difference in other people, He does....but sometimes it means we have to be paying attention and choose to follow His lead. The seed has been sown, the idea is there. I can sit around and wait for something to happen to ME and pay it one direction or the other....or I can act on what is right smack in front of me and pass it on. Just because I didn't directly benefit from the deed doesn't mean I can't act on it. I've been effected and I can pay it forward anyway. It's up to me what I do with that seed. I can toss it because it's not the seed I was looking for, or I can plant it somewhere and watch it grow.
And on that note, of paying attention and taking action, here's something else that's been on my mind and finally made me think, "OK, God, I'm paying attention. Now what...?":
About 10 years ago, yes TEN, I heard a message in my youth group about people who sit around waiting for God to tell them what to do, where to go, what decision is the right one, what am I supposed to "be", where are you sending me, insert random question for guidance here....
What my pastor said that stuck was this (minus quotes because it's paraphrased...I have the memory of an elephant but quoting 10 years ago is still iffy...):
If we sit around waiting for God to change the light, we may never do much with our lives. God has given us the power to make our own choices for a reason. He wants us to live our life, go out into the world, enjoy ourselves (within the boundaries He has set, of course) and make the choices He allows us to make. GO UNTIL YOU GET A RED LIGHT.
THAT'S when you stop. Stop on RED and say, "Okay, God...what's next? Which way? When can I go again?" But don't stop while it's green and ask a million questions. GO! GO! GO! He will guide you if you're asking for it and He will stop you when He needs you to.
After remembering that message and it randomly popping into my head, I saw a friend's blog based on something very similar. So I put two and two together...(I'm getting faster, see) and realized this:
1.) The path I'm on is just fine. I'm getting ready to make a few big decisions in my life and have been toiling over them for weeks. This reminder was an ease of anxiety about making the wrong choice. I've got the green light, so I'm going with what I think to be my best options. When it's time to stop, I'll get a red light. (Usually, when that red light happens....it's bright enough to almost be considered neon, you know, if neon red existed).
2.) God is still there with me. Whether I'm in an easy breezy phase of my life (which I consider this to be, despite big decisions) or I'm in what seems like only inches from the torture of hell itself (which I've recently come out of and have experienced more than once in my life), He's there. God shows Himself in many different ways. And as long as I'm always looking and listening for Him...I'll see the evidence.
What actions have you seen or experienced today that you can pay forward?
Do you have random memories, stories, or advice popping in your head lately?
Where can you apply those things to your life?
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