It has been quite awhile since I have been on my blog and social media. In fact, those of you that know me, are familiar with at least two or three times, that the Lord has pulled me away completely off of social media for significant periods of time.
In transparency, I admit that at these times I have often thought I was right at the place I believe the Lord wanted me to be. A place where I’m finally making an impact, engaging in active ministry, enough SEO has been established to finally be found when people are searching online for help.The fact is, the Lord has often said, I was at the right place, and now He just wants me be with Him for awhile.
It may be in these peak moments where most of us perceive as ministry success, where much fruit is being produced, when the Lord suddenly may start drawing us to Himself again.
The truth is, the Lord wants all the distractions, all the work, everything that is competing for our attention to be out of the way. That’s what happens when deep calls to deep. He won’t compete with our activities, including ministry. Our first ministry is to be unto the Lord.
God is continually inviting us into more intimacy with Him. He is seeing how committed we are to Him, not just the work of the gospel, but Him. He wants all of us. He wants our whole heart.
If we are not careful, even ministry can become an idol or steal away precious time that the Lord wants for Himself. Some of you have heard me say these two phrases:
“Just because it’s good, doesn’t mean it’s God,” and “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” These are two phrases that the Lord has highlighted to me over the years. I taught the ladder one on my YouTube channel here.
OUR GOD IS HOLY AND JEALOUS FOR US
We must remember that our Lord is holy and a jealous God. He is massively and amazingly in love with His creation. He wants us all to Himself, and if this means pulling us away from tasks that we deem worthy and that are even godly, He will do it, without hesitation. He will also wait and see if we are willing to let it all go, and focus on Him. He wants to know if He has truly won our hearts.
This pulling away has personally happened to me several times since He first asked me to step out into the social media realm. I admit I have been challenged, at those times, once I had submitted to His request to go online.
I hate to admit that I have at times quietly tugged a bit, saying but Lord, You are the One that asked me to do this, consistency is key in ministry, this is a lot of work, we want to get the prayers out, the words out, right?…for people to be helped they must be reached…right? Anyone else been there? Be honest, we all have, in one way or another.
“Oh Father, forgive me for when I have ever questioned You. Forgive any of us Lord, for ever putting ministry or other tasks, even for a moment, over spending time with You. Nothing is more important than You. Help us to keep our priorities straight and not get lost in the doing, over, the being, with You, in Jesus Name. Amen.”
DISCERNING LIFE CHANGING MOMENTS
I have learned at these moments of drawing, that they are some of the most crucial times in our lives, where the Lord is offering us a powerful life changing choice. How we respond to that choice can change the trajectory of our spiritual life at that time. Our response reveals whether God truly has our heart or not.
What seems counterintuitive to us, living in an age of social media rules, where everyone is jumping through hoops and checking off lists, is not counterintuitive to God. He knows His priorities. He is not the One that gets caught up in being too busy, we are.
MARTHA OR MARY
Remember the classic example of Martha and Mary? Martha was upset with her sister for sitting at the feet of Jesus, in worship and adoration. Mary discerned the value of listening and being with Jesus. However, Martha was busy and troubled by the many tasks she had. She wanted Mary to help her with her to do list!
Yet, when Martha began to complain to the Lord, Jesus actually stood up for Mary and honored her choice to sit at His feet instead. He said, Mary chose the one thing that was truly needed, which was spending time in the Presence of Jesus. The Lord also protected Mary’s time and declared it would not be taken from her! Wow.
I want to encourage you today to pay close attention to the Holy Spirit. Make sure you’re not so busy even talking about the Lord, and doing things for the Lord, that you miss His still small voice to come away to be with the Lord.
We all have things we are responsible for, but our number one responsibility is to make the right choice regarding the Lord. He is our first priority, and if this is true, then we need to be willing to step away and even walk away, from whatever He desires, in order to be with our Beloved when He beckons us.
Does this resonate with you today? How have you been? What has God been teaching you in this season? Would love to see in comments below.
– Sybella Owens
Sybella
Hi brother Ray! Glory to God! Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Abundant blessings to you!
Raymond Rimple
Hi my sister thank you so much for word and vision that the lord has share with you .this has being an about encouraging to me . I thank God for your life and he continue to bless you from your brother in Christ Ray
Sybella
Hi Sis Dorothy! Glory to God! It’s amazing how this can sneak up on us even in godly tasks!
Dorothy Lohr
This is right on target for me this morning! Thank you! I am just as you describe! May Our Lord Jesus continue to bless you richly as you continue in His Word!