Complacency | Breakfast For Your Soul

Restless or Complacent? …

Written by FAVORED1 on March 8, 2010 – 10:32 am -

Monday, March 8, 2010

*****

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of My people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached Me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead My people Israel out of Egypt.” But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the One who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent Me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is His name?’ Then what should I tell them?” God replied to Moses, “I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent Me to you.” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent Me to you.

This is My Eternal Name,
My Name to remember for all generations.

[Exodus 3:1-14]

Feeling Restless or Complacent? … Restlessness is not Always a bad thing.

Good Morning Beloved,

Moses … rescued by the daughter of Pharaoh as an infant. Raised in the lap of luxury. Given the finest education available. Even allowed to grow in the home of his mother and father for a time. His life was balanced. He knew the pain and struggle of his people, and was in a position to seemingly help his people. That is what he thought. Through a chain of events, which included him killing an Egyptian task master, he ended up on the run–a fugitive. Finally, he finds a life of hard work, but comfort in the home of a wise man by the name of Jethro. He marries one of Jethro’s daughters, and has a family. Life is pretty good… and then God tells him that He wants him to GO BACK and tell Pharaoh to let His people go! WHAT!? I’m learning that God uses many things to get our attention. Pain, aggravation, confusion, anxiety, trouble, restlessness. Notice, I didn’t say He caused it… but He will use it. When we experience these emotions, it indicates that something is wrong. We may not know what, but knowing that much should give us cause for pause. Ideally, it should drive us to the arms of the Lord for guidance. Otherwise, we could stay in a state of limbo for many, many, many years. We have to be shaken out of our comfort zone because, we will stay there… why? … well it’s comfortable! Who really wants to leave comfort? Comfort is safe. It’s what we know. Those who know me, know that I love Tyler Perry. Last night, he had a part in the Academy Awards. Talk about being catapulted out of your comfort zone! He has gone from homelessness, to stage plays that only a few segments of the population knew anything about, to the big screen, to the small screen, to the big screen/small screen simultaneously, to presenting at the Oscars! I’ve written, produced and directed a few plays. The productions have been great, but can I share a well-kept secret with you? I never really stepped out all the way into the ministry. I’ve ’kinda’ dipped my theatrical toes in the water, but when the temperature was a little too hot, quickly withdrew them. The last production I did was in October 2008. To be honest… (telling on me now) … I was extremely frustrated. Folks did not show up to rehearsals, and when they did they were completely unprepared. Money was a little funny, change was strange. Everything that could possible go wrong did. I was tired. Tired of being understanding and smiling complacently when I was given excuse after excuse… and then came showtime… MY GOD! I’ve never been so confused in my entire life! Some had forgotten what they were supposed to be doing and at times, so did I. Thankfully, I had a few amazing young people who became my ‘rocks’, and helped to carry the show. After that harrowing experience, I decided to take a break… from the whole ministry. Poor Regal 1 has been sitting on the shelf ever since. I just couldn’t seem to get motivated. Now I know that there is a timing element involved, and lately I have been feeling like it is now time to blow the dust off of my patient baby. I have heard Tyler voice a similar experience. A time when he wanted to give up, but unlike me, he didn’t. He will tell you that he still gets frustrated. New levels, new devils. We grow stronger “going through”. Going through difficult circumstances prepares us for the “new level” challenges. Every experience is an opportunity for us to learn and to do better.. if we allow “The Teacher” (The Holy Spirit) to instruct us. He is ready willing and able. Check your feelings.. don’t ignore them… it could be your Father about the set you up for the greatest blessing you have ever received in your life!