Happy Easter! What a blessed day, birds chirping outside, the sun peeking out from behind the billowing clouds, kids laughing and splashing in the pool, all the sounds of LIFE revealed on this celebration day of our Lord’s resurrection. My prayer for all of you is for HOPE to fill your hearts if you are still feeling the heaviness of a personal suffering or trial. Let this Easter season be an example of the NEW DAY that is to come!
Recently I received an email for advice. I wanted to share this one as it pertains to the gift we receive in the Easter Season.
Dear Shannon,
I have a renewed relationship with God, and I am on fire! The hardest part of this relationship is trying to hold on to it during the hectic times of my daily life. I find myself struggling and even feeling guilty when I realize that I get so busy in my day that I feel far away from Him. I realize that we go through busy and slow times in life, but how do I still hold on to Him in this crazy world when my life demands so much of my thoughts and time?
Sincerely,
Holding On in Texas
Dear Holding On,
Don’t be so hard on yourself! The fact that you even acknowledge moments of ‘being far away from Him’ is proof that He is near, whether you choose to recognize it or not. We’ve all heard the direction to ‘pray without ceasing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17) which can often instill a bit of anxiety in our hearts when we ‘get busy’ with what we have to do in a day. We think, ‘HOW do we pray without ceasing?!’ and this is when I state IN MY OPINION it is to merely do all things for HIM, for HIS PEOPLE, with LOVE and RESPECT which is a prayer of love. If we are to read the passage before 5:17 we’ll find –
“For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:9-18
I find this question AND passage fitting for this Easter Season as it reminds us that we are to do all things for one another and in doing so we do it FOR Him. My question to you would be are you doing these things for others? Are you keeping busy to keep busy or are you truly ‘busy’ because you are taking care of family, friends, and supporting your greater community? I’m not saying NOT to make more of an effort to bring thoughts of Him and specific prayers into your daily schedule but don’t allow this to be a way the enemy can discourage you and bring in anxiety where it is not needed.
Happy Easter – go out and be a blessing!
Blessings,
Shannon
