I love a new month. As I sat down with my Bible and journal this morning, I felt so content with the Lord. Nothing was troubling my heart. Nothing felt overwhelming. Nothing felt wrong. And then I felt terribly guilty that I felt so peaceful. Wasn’t I supposed to live a riled up, angry, offended, and miserable life? Isn’t this the way of the culture? Who am I if I’m not stressed out, overworked, and troubled?
But three things came to mind in rapid succession to reorient my heart. First, I remembered this little verse in Zechariah 4:6 where the Lord Almighty says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” I felt settled again. My strength or application of power to any situation isn’t the source of change; it’s the Holy Spirit. You see this again in the Psalm 20:7 where we read: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Lesson One: I don’t change things by my power, but by God’s.
Lesson Two: I don’t have to figure everything out. In fact, I recalled Proverbs 3:5:6 where we’re told frankly: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Can I admit that human reason and understanding must always submit to the wisdom and counsel of God? Can I admit that my rational thinking will always stand under what God has said first? I do not lean on my own thinking. I can submit to God and let Him lead.
Lesson Three: Life should feel light and easy. That’s part of the unlimited privileges of being a child of God. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites us into a new way of living. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
So, to celebrate a fresh month, I consider what I don’t have to do. I don’t have to change things in my own strength. I don’t have to figure everything out. And I don’t have to live a weary and burdened life.
[bctt tweet=”To celebrate a fresh month, I consider what I DON’T have to do. I don’t have to change things in my own strength (Zech 4:6). I don’t have to figure everything out (Prov 3:5-6). And I don’t have to live a weary and burdened life (Matt 11:28-30).”]