Do you ever wake up with your first thought being, “I didn’t get enough sleep,” or “I don’t have enough time,” or “I don’t have enough ideas,” or “I don’t have enough money”? Yeah, me too.
This month I’ve been reading Brene Brown’s book Daring Greatly, and one of her main points is that we don’t live in a culture of self-centeredness but rather one of a scarcity mindset. And scarcity isn’t only believing there isn’t enough, but the continued belief that there is never enough.
There have been countless days in the past 22 years of ROWAN where I started my day in the red. The fact is there isn’t enough time in my day or people I know or grants I can write or money in our bank that will supply every need. I can see how people start believing the lie of unworthiness which is a slippery slope to despair. Right where the enemy wants us to be: unarmed and ashamed. Have I visited that valley? More than I’d like to admit.
But what does our God say about this? He speaks loud and clear on this very issue in scripture:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is NOT from yourselves. It is the gift of God- Not by works so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9
“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man…” Eph. 3:16
In these powerful words Almighty God disarms the lie of scarcity by reminding us that He saved us not because of what we do, but because of who we are. We are His children with faith in our King and all power comes from Him. He doesn’t have a grid for productivity like we do. He is not bound by time. He is the supplier of ALL things. When this truth moves from my mind to my heart and soul, I begin to view the world from His perspective.
I experience peace in my life when I get out of the driver’s seat and receive direction as a passenger.
When I wake up thankful for all God has done for me, I’m ready to receive His love. In trusting God’s abundance I posture myself to listen to His truth. In other words, I’m letting the Lord drive my day. It may be that I set my to-do list aside and do the 1 thing He asks of me. Sometimes He reminds me to pick up that list and highlights actions to move on. The difference?
I find my actions produce lasting fruit. I have experienced miraculous answers to prayer not based upon my grit but on His grace. My stress levels decrease and joy becomes my strength. Basically I’m led by Him, not me. This is not a formula for successful living. However this moment of self-awareness, if you are really honest with yourself, can lead to lasting peace, because He is our peace.
I invite you to do a simple thing with me this month.
Every morning you wake up, remind yourself of who you are. You are His beloved. You are His son / daughter. You are loved for who you are no matter what happens today. (I mean it. No matter what.) You are a child of the King who supplies every. single. thing.
Song of the month: Steady Heart by Stephanie Gretzinger
Reading this month: Ephesians & Brene Brown “Daring Greatly“
