I Can't Get No Satisfaction... Again.

Can I just say when I sat to write this blog post I just felt, well... empty. Uninspired. Tired. What could I possibly say at a moment like this that will strike a chord with anyone? I drew a big fat blank and so I revisited my old blog, seeking inspiration. Funny enough, my own words from over a year ago came back and nurtured that same weary place in me. These aren't fancy words or some grandiose lesson. We will never have it all together. We might never find it possible to be truly content in right now. But in this simple bare confession, we might, just maybe find common ground. And be inspired for today.

The words may be recycled but they hit me afresh.

March 27, 2013 - I Can't Get No Satisfaction

As I’m certain all of you know by now, life is, well . . . hard. Busy. Hectic. Stressful. Exhausting.

There are countless distractions that steal my time and my focus away from my Source. And often enough, my Source starts to feel like a side dish, and then maybe a dessert, or just an occasional splurge. It’s much more difficult to notice just a pound or two. Most often it’s only when you’re completely out of shape that you start to realize how horrendous your diet has become.

As a mother of two wild-child toddlers (now 2 tots and a baby), most days when I catch my reflection in the mirror I have one of those “Whoa!” moments. As in “Whoa, sister, what the heck happened to you? You used to be kinda cute and, well, skinny, with unlined skin and an almost perpetual grin. 

When did I lose my focus? When did I become complacent? How did I get so out of shape?

With everything in me I want to be desperate for God. But am I? And how, with the kids and the bills, and a marriage, and relationships, and writing, and blogging, and facebook, and church, and missions, and . . . (you get the idea), do I find time to indulge in Him?

In my heart I’m not trying to simply perform or look good on paper so that others might commend my holiness. Ick! Even just thinking that makes me all itchy with the hypocrisy of it all. Legalism. Empty works. Going through the motions.

That is not how I want to glorify the God that is my very breath. The God who has blessed me with this wonderfully exhausting home and family. The God who has never abandoned me even in my darkest, desert nights.

So why do I feel like a snail wiggling inch by inch up an endlessly long and treacherous mountain when, in reality, I know that I will never reach that ideal peak. There is no perfection to be had here. There is no earthy destination where I will have done everything God has for me to do and then I can just dust off my hands, kick up my feet, and wait to see his Glory face-to-face.

Since my efforts very often fall short and leave me filled with frustration, am I bringing Him any glory at all?

A few weeks ago at church my Pastor said something that stuck all over me like winter static. He said:

God is most glorified in you when you are satisfied in Him.

Man, it really got me thinking  . . . Am I satisfied? My life is great, but am I so caught up in my daily struggles that I’m left wanting more without the energy to even cry out for it?

This profound thought has been tooling around in my brain for a few weeks, and yet, I'm not convinced I know how to be fully satisfied with where I am at. Every day is a battle. From the unique struggles that we are facing with our children, to the constant financial battle of getting ahead, and the challenges of my husbands dreadful job (no longer dreadful, hallelujah!), I feel like we are simply pushing through the junk in hopes of the day when things won't be quite so difficult.

But that really just means that we are missing out on what God is trying to teach us right now. Missing out on time that we will never get back. And failing to see that regardless of our circumstances, we are called by God to be a light today. To show his love, joy, grace, and compassion today. To seek him with everything we have, not tomorrow, or when life finally settles down (as if that will ever happen), but TODAY.

What do people see when they look at me? Do they see the snot-crusted mommy who hasn’t had a good nights sleep in almost four years? Or do they see a joyful servant of the Most High, blessed beyond belief and satisfied with the God that is always more than enough?

What about you? Are you shining with His Glory? Or are you so worn out that you can’t even reflect an ounce of His goodness?

Regardless of your struggles, are you satisfied?

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Amy Leigh Simpson writes Romantic Suspense that is heavy on the romance, unapologetically honest, laced with sass and humor, and full of the unfathomable Grace of God. She is the completely sleep deprived mama to two little tow-headed mischief makers, one pretty little princess, and wife to her very own swoon-worthy hero. Represented by the oh-so-wise and dashing Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary Inc.

Pursuit for Publication? God Is Able by Priscilla Shirer, and A Giveaway!

We all know that this road to publication is difficult.
And I have learned the hard way that no matter how much I pray, how much I believe in my work, or believe that God will answer my prayers the way I want Him to, the outcome really does not depend on what I do.

Priscilla Shirer

If you read my post last week, you'll know that I am going through a time of stepping back, re-centering my heart on God and not my own desires or pursuits. So, when I was given the chance to review Priscilla Shirer's book, God Is Able, I must say that I went into it with a bit of hesitation. I wasn't sure if I wanted to read anything besides God's Scriptures. After all, I wanted this time to be one of  focus only on God...nobody's opinion of Him, nor temptation that might come in a self-help type book to apply the mantra that if I did this...then I could get God to do so and so...

With a guarded heart, I began to read God is Able. And after just the introduction, I felt my walls break down and my heart receive God's truth pouring out from this small book in the most God-focused way. Priscilla's style is simple yet wise, and gripping with vivid analogies. Her examples are down-to-earth with glimpses of God's handiwork in ordinary, day-to-day living. Instead of outlining ways to satiate my desire in a self-help fashion, she dug deep into Scripture, took me by the shoulders like a loving friend, and turned me away from my circumstance and toward God and ALL HIS ABILITY to use my circumstance for so much more than I would hope.

The book's entire structure is based on significant points made in Paul's doxology in Ephesians 3:20, 21. I've color-coded the subject of each of the phrases dedicated to entire chapters in the book:
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
With exploration of original language, historical context, and true life situations, Priscilla presents the fullness of these words that do nothing less than glorify God, elaborate on His love for us, and humble us before His perfect will. The book reminds us to push our circumstance aside in comparison to grounding our faith in the God who goes "exceeding abundantly beyond what we ask or think". 

One of the greatest points that met me right where I was at on this pursuit of publication is:

"But whether or not God CHOOSES to do something is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability. Whether or not He Will do it is His business. But believing that He CAN--that's our business." pg 62.

Do you truly believe that God is able in your present circumstance? Do you truly believe that He wants to go beyond what we ask or think, and are you ready to surrender completely to Him no matter the outcome? It is hard to think that this waiting game might end without publication, but if I remain grounded in my faith, it is NOT because God can't do it, it is because He chooses not to, AND, He has something in the works that will be above and beyond what I could even imagine--with or without a contract. How exciting...and freeing! As Priscilla says on pg 140,

"...ultimately, our lives are all and completely about Him. 
We exist today for His fame...For His praise and His glory."

The outcome of this pursuit, this writing for Him, really only means something if He's "gettin' Him some glory when He acts on our behalf." pg 140.

So why in the world do I get so antsy? It's about time to stop giving into my fleshy want (which will never be satisfied with earthly things), and start surrendering to the Spirit's nudging (which will always lead to God and true satisfaction). Embracing ALL God has for me, isn't really about what's for me, but ALL about what He wills to bring Him the glory. And who am I to tell God what that may be? I can ask, and pray, but trust that He knows the best way to answer.

Priscilla's tiny red book drew me to God's loving arms with security and peace in the wait. I close the book, craving more time with Priscilla. Her voice is conversational and down-to-earth, and her heart reflects God's truth. If you are struggling with publication, or perhaps something more pressing in your life, God is Able will draw you close to God and to a faith beyond all circumstance, with a mind and heart set on nobody's glory but His!

I could list a whole book full of quotes from God Is Able, but instead, why don't you leave a comment and get entered in a drawing for the book to read them for yourself?? Also, tell me which section of the doxology appeals to you most in your present circumstance?

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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous, mothering days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across historical cultures and social boundaries. Angie is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.