The Meaning in Me

I wrote this post for my blog, A Maze of Grace, where we're spending the rest of 2011 praying for God to bring awesome husbands for His single daughters. As I thought about what I wanted to write about here at Changing Seasons, I realized that this is idea is still stirring around in me. I think we all bump into it--repeatedly--in different seasons. So I thought I'd repost, along with a few additions. Enjoy!

As I was on the treadmill last night the song The Meaning In Me came up on shuffle. Listen to it now if you can. The lyrics got me thinking about how easy it is to lose track of who we are and end up backed into corners that don’t feel like us at all.

I’ve had several different seasons of my life when I’d be in the middle of some situation or conversation that just felt horrible–almost otherworldly–and I’d look around and wonder, How did I get here? In most cases, as I traced things back I found ways I’d betrayed myself, zigging when I’d wanted to zag, but not wanting to rock the boat or disappoint anyone. Then I’d have to find the “reset” button and get back–or forward–to where I was supposed to be. But I can never get there alone. "Working on myself" (the traditional recommendation we women give one another whenever life goes astray) is a disaster...unless I let God oversee the remodeling.

Most work we do on ourselves only pushes us further back. But when we let God work on us, He sets us free.

Here's a prayer to let God in on the construction project:

Dear God, I’m not where I want to be. I’m not who I want to be. But I don’t know the answers to either of the questions that come next. So I give my life to you, Jesus–please sort me out. I trust that you know me, and that I was created with a purpose. Help me get there. Thank you that You won’t let me miss it. I renounce the idea that I have to have it all together to be loved, or to be happy and fulfilled with my life. Forgive me for ways I’ve cooperated with that lie. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and teach me how to walk away from lies and into Your truth. Thank you that You created me to be an awesome, loving, wise, beloved woman. Let’s start now! In your name, Jesus. Amen.

Here's to your next season :)