I don’t want my life to become a carbon copy of someone else’s
That's exhausting for all of us
I was minding my business, preparing to drift off into tomorrow's land, when a gentle rebuke came across my heart. I heard the convicting words, “Joy is a position, posture, and decision.” After coming out of a tumultuous season of battling double-mindedness, walking into full-time entrepreneurship, and adjusting to marriage, I could use some joy. I’m ready for the weeping, which may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning package. I’m trying to see something, and after a brief moment of taking the bait of worry, the Lord answered a prayer for peace. He told me that joy is a position, posture, and decision. This comes on the other side of me, feeling like I am just existing.
The mundane is dull and humbling as I remind myself that each day presents its own trouble, as Matthew 6:34 graciously reminds us—so don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. I’ll be the first to admit that anything not rooted in Christ is exposed when life hands you lessons in lemons. We realize we aren’t as anchored in certain areas.
I refuse to be a carbon copy of someone else—that’s exhausting. People can be examples of what and what not to do. We can see them run their race, encourage them, and take notes by faith because it comes by hearing, but the moment we try to copy and paste it onto our track, we mess up.
To focus, we must shut down distractions like social media because compassion runs rampant on these internet streets. God is not surprised by any of this. After all, he loves us enough to course correct us. This is where meditating on Psalms 3:5-6 comes into play—Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. I see wisdom as an opportunity to learn AND avoid experiences that are unnecessary in life. However, I know life matures us through lessons learned (probably the reason why lemonade is my favorite beverage). It’s in worry I learned to find peace and rest in his presence.
Now, God is trying to introduce us to experiencing the proper fullness of joy. God, the beginning and end, is not caught off guard by the work we must do in the middle.
He sees us.
He’s with us, gently orchestrating our steps through gentle rebukes. As clay, our imperfections continue to become modeled in his hands. We can resist the pulling, reshape, or gently yield because God knows best. When God told me what joy is, I had to sit with it, allowing it to take root. Finally, my joy in the morning package was being credited to this season of life.
We have to decide to experience joy by putting ourselves in a position to receive it, with an expectant posture towards how God releases it.
Closed mouths don’t get fed, and closed fists never receive anything. God is no genie. This is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Take it before the Lord, and see how you can apply the gentle rebuke to your circumstances if you, too, need the joy that comes in the morning package for all the tears sown. In due season, you shall reap if you faint not, and that’s on Galatians 6:9.
Hmm, some lemonade would be wonderful right now. Let me get some from the store because it’s like a reward when you can look back and see how far you have come, even if it’s just the day after. Keep going! We need who you are becoming.
Your friend,
Janae Carlee
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