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Thursday Means a New Post! "When You're Searching" { Day 214 }




I turned 40 a few months ago…the big 4 – 0 and it had me thinking about my life.  What have I done in my life that has made a difference?  Who am I?  Am I doing enough?  What am I going to be when I grow up?  These questions are normal…I think…but I also feel like the answers aren’t within a title, or position, or a degree hung on the wall.  I think it’s more about my relationship with God.  I think that when we feel like something is missing in our life…it’s whether or not we have a relationship with Him.  


He made us to crave Him. 



Stay with me here.  We feel like we are missing something in our life…so we go after that next job title…because that job will make us happy!  Well, we get that job and after some time that feeling returns.  So we strive to get something else.  Yes…then we will be happy!  But, the feeling comes back…. the cycle continues.


I remember sitting on my kitchen counter in Blacksburg, VA (18 years ago!  18 years ago people!) talking with my husband (boyfriend at the time) about how I felt like I was empty inside.  That I didn’t know what it was but I felt like something was missing.  He said, “I know what it is.  God.”  That comment stopped me in my tracks and I sat there for a few minutes and said, “I think you’re right.” 
 

We can do many things and be many things but none of it will fill the void or fulfill us.  The emptiness in our souls can only be filled by Jesus.  God made us to desire Him.  The beginning of our lives was with God and the ending of our lives will be with God (hopefully).  It’s the middle part of our life where we choose what we will do with it.  Will we pursue God? 
 
I’m not saying our desires to be something aren’t great desires to have.  God gave us those desires.  He gave us our talents.  I’m saying that trying to fill that void with titles, careers, bigger homes, faster cars…whatever….won’t fill us or make us happy for very long.  



“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.”   ~Brennan Manning


God gave us all unique gifts and talents...and it is how we use them to bring Him glory while keeping our eyes on Jesus that will fulfill us.  


 
Having all the titles in the world can be great but it doesn’t mean we are more valuable than someone else.  I have a lot of titles…and I love every single one of them.  I am truly thankful for my titles! Some are:
·         Wife
·         Mother
·         Nurse
·         Teacher
·         Amateur Photographer
·         Blogger
·         Volunteer


I could probably roll off some more but I think my most valuable title is:  Child of God. 
 


“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5
  

I don’t need to question am I good enough?  Am I doing enough?  I just need to stay obedient to Him and use the gifts and talents He has given me to bring Him glory.   If I ever start to feel like something is missing…I know I’ve strayed too far.  


“Come to Me continually.  I am meant to be the Center of your consciousness, the Anchor of your soul.  Your mind will wander from Me, but the question is how far you allow it to wander.  An anchor on a short rope lets a boat drift only slightly before the taut line tugs the boat back toward the center.  Similarly, as you drift away from Me, My Spirit within you gives a tug, prompting you to return to Me.  As you become increasingly attuned to My Presence, the length of rope on your soul’s Anchor is shortened.  You wander only a short distance before feeling that inner tug---telling you to return to your true Center in Me.”  ~Jesus Calling---Sarah Young

 



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