Living For Yourself Is A Dead End

Funny how things play out sometimes. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, BAM! something smacks you right up side the head. NO? That’s never happened to you? I’d love to say that it’s never happened to me but the truth is that it’s happened to me far too many times. I’m embarrassed to think about how many times it has happened to me so I'll not even mention the three or four digit number…

Life was rolling along so beautifully as I was basking in the warm sun the other afternoon blissfully happy in my chores until the phone rang and messed everything up. 

As a storyteller, I could go on and on to describe all the details of this story and finally end up at the point of it all concluding with some pretty humbling fact checking…self-checking. But I realize all the details mean more to me than they may to you. 

Point A- the reason for my blissfulness that day was the fact that things were going my way. Point B- I had gotten selfish in the complacency of my blissfulness. 

When the phone call came in, my first thought wasn’t the “right thing” , it was ME. Selfishly I knee jerked to how this would affect me. My time, my energy, my plan…me. Too gently I was convicted of the fact that I was thwarting a blessing. Once again, I messed up. 

Instead of remembering that there isn’t anything that comes my way that cannot be overcome, I instantly considered failure. AND inconvenience. AND discomfort.

That’s giving up. I gave up before I even tried. 

Although I truly needed a spanking, instead I received gentle guidance toward what I know so well. 

First thing the next morning, I only had thankfulness on my mind, until I remembered what I had to do. However, I quickly snapped out of my dread and went on. 

Later, James 1 verses 2-3 reminded me, admonished me, and I was able to admit my wrong, repent of my selfishness and be thankful for the blessing and especially the forgiveness I was handed. 

My life is not my own. Trying to live it for myself and only thinking of my own happiness is a complete dead end. There is no joy there. When I push past the barriers of my own desires and seek the real reason for living, He not only helps me, He blesses me beyond my imagination. 

I love this street sign because I know what’s at the end of this bumpy, dirt road. Pure, unabashed love, so much joy and some of my greatest blessings await me when I get through the gate at the end. 

Seeking God’s will and trusting the Holy Spirit gets me through any obstacle. He has my best interest always in His plan. I have faith in the hope at the end of the path He has laid out for me! John 6:44.

Don’t let your life be a dead end. Make sure you know what’s at the end of your journey.