I wrote the last couple of weeks about how the Lord has been speaking of our great need to overcome areas of superficiality in our lives. As I started the New Year in the prayer room, my heart and mind were literally buzzing were with the Holy Spirit’s presence. I felt the Lord’s nearness so freshly. As the Lord does, He kindly began to impress upon me several personal areas that He was inviting me to overcome superficiality in my life this year. Putting these in writing helps me to be accountable and hopefully, at the same time, it will encourage you.

1)    Be Humble – I NEED Humility. Humility is beautiful. The most humble people are the most attractive to God and man. Jesus was the most humble man who ever lived. An invitation into humility is an invitation to know Jesus at a depth and to allow His nature to form and frame your heart. I want this in a real and deep way. My prayer is, “Teach me your ways oh Lord. I want to learn from You, the One who is meek and lowly.” 

2)    Remove Distractions – The Lord emphasized to me that I have habitually allowed distractions to determine my daily routine. Text messages, emails, and direct messages have all climbed their way to the top of my priority list. I realize freshly that if I want to be intimate with the Lord interruptions must wait. I’m attacking distractions with discipline by the grace of God and I’m already experiencing good fruit. I’ll post another blog next weeks about how I’m overcoming my phone habit.    

3)    Be Present – In order to love God and love people we have to be present with them. Obviously removing distractions enables us to be present. Making eye contact, listening, empathizing, and responding are all simple ways to be present with people. And with the Lord, it’s very similar. Instead of just enjoying His presence or enjoying a worship song, I’m looking right at Him and singing right to Him. Intentional focus enables us to be present and come out of superficial times in worship and prayer.

4)    Create Margin – Instead of filling my schedule to the brim with meetings and initiatives, I’m giving myself more time to breath, pray, and reset mentally and emotionally in between. Busy-ness gives us the illusion of accomplishment. Often it’s just a veil for our own lack of actual impact. Though giving myself margin may take a little longer for me to get things done, I’ve noticed that adding margin has helped me to be led by the Lord into the things that are most important. At the same time I notice I’m able to maintain my energy and joy. I’d rather be slower, but impactful than busy but inefficient. 

5)    Lean into peace – This means being delivered from hurry and worry. Rushing around overly concerned with every detail attacks rest and steals peace from your soul. Peace begins where God’s perspective is understood. To keep my peace, I have to allow the Lord’s perspective to inform my mind and direct my steps. Peace is powerful and far more desirable than the alternative - anxiety. I know this sounds a little “pie in the sky” but I know for sure that this is possible even when you’re busy and lead many people and initiatives. Jesus promises to give us peace, not like the world gives. My prayer is, “Reign in me with Your peace.”

6)    Be Intentional – Everyone has the power to choose. In simple ways we are the sum of our choices. So much of the state of our heart is determined by what we choose to do or how we choose to respond. I’m committing to being intentional with my time and my emotions. When my emotions aren’t what I want them to be, I’m taking them to the Lord and allowing Him to fill my heart with His love and perspective. I’m choosing to be intentional in how I spend my time, what I view, how I speak, who I speak to, how I rest, and how I emotionally respond to challenges. I can’t control the unexpected difficulties of this life, but I can intentionally choose how I respond to the difficulties. My prayer is, “Lord direct me into your will, my desire is to please you in all things.”

I hope this is helpful for you. Let me know how the Lord is speaking to you about these or other areas. Blessings!