Just Do It!

by Kelly Dixon

Reading: Psalm 69:29-31

I like to write in a journal, especially about the things the Lord is doing in my life. The following entry I have shared in retreat materials before and I share it again today.

Entry Date: January 7, 2007:
It’s kind of a gloomy day today. As I commune with the Lord, I look out the window into my front yard. Where I usually see a bright sparkly day, I see wet ground with puddles and brown leaves. It lends its way to depression and gloom. But in the middle of it all, I see a bird. He almost matches this atmosphere with a brown chest and grey body. But he scurries around looking for food here and there. The beautiful bird chirps every now and then and has a happy composure about him. All of a sudden, the gloom of the day seems to fade and brightness begins to make its way onto the scene. I then begin to recognize all of God’s other creatures scurrying around - squirrels and other birds. Their actions reveal praise to the Lord. Praise for the day and for His provision. Their praise shines brightly against the gloom and I am reminded of Philippians 2:14-15 – “ In everything you do, stay a way from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them.” (NLT) Oh, how I want to be like the birds and squirrels – regardless the gloom of the world I want my life to shine brightly so others may see God’s love that resides around us all daily - the love He is waiting to give to us abundantly! May I shine for my Creator, brightening the day for His creation, and showing the ray of hope. May I chirp His message freely to the world so they know where the source of my light resides. May my actions reflect praise for His provision so much that the world will long to go to His throne. I will shine brightly for my Lord!! I love you, Lord!Why do I share this entry with you today? Because I have been struggling with focusing lately and during my quiet time with the Lord He asked me to read over my journal entries from January, 2007. As I read over this time in my life when my relationship with the Lord was closer than it is now, I realized that I have allowed circumstances in my life to take my focus off Jesus. What was more evident was the memories of the great passion I had then. It saddened me and I became disappointed in myself wanting that feeling to return. Crying out to the Lord, I began to ask Him, how? How do I regain the passion? How do I return?

His answer was simple, “Just do it.” Just begin again to focus on Jesus. Don't sit in regret. Don't look at the gloom and doom around you and allow it to consume you. Do as the bird did and begin to praise. Don't focus on the negative, focus on the positive – Jesus!! Have you, like me, been in a slump lately? Do you feel like you don't know how to return to the depth of relationship that you once had with Christ? If so, then my advice to you is the same advice the Lord gave me – Just do it. Begin to focus on Jesus. Begin to chirp His praises. Soon the gloom will begin to fade away and the brightness of Jesus will shine in your life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You for Jesus. I praise You for my life. I praise You for the
circumstances in my life that draw me to You and lead me to draw from Your strength. Thank You for Your gentle tugs that bring me back to You. Amen.