Dealing with Snakes

Okay, so I'll be honest this wasn't what I was planning on writing about today, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized how big of an issue this can become if we don't do something to combat it. 

The snakes I am talking about are not the real snakes you find slithering in and out of the garden, but actually those negative thoughts you find creeping slowing from the back of you mind, trying to convince your mind, heart, and soul that what you are doing really isn't for the better good of yourself or others. 

Author Elisabeth Elliot exclaims, "I'm afraid the snake has been talking to [many of us]. He's been sneaking up and whispering, 'God is stingy. He dangles that beautiful fruit called marriage before your eyes and won't let you have it. He refuses you the only thing you need for deep personal growth, the one thing in all the world that would solve all your problems and make you really happy.'"


Being single is a wonderful gift. God has designated this part of my life, and yours to be used for something great, something of His power! Just because I am single does not mean I have to put my life on hold or stop what I want to do because I don't have a spouse to do it with me. Instead, this season of singleness allows me to take on new responsibilities and explore new gifts without having to compromise time with a spouse and family. Thus, the time and energy I could spend trying to find Mr. Right, is actually being used to help serve God and others. By becoming centered on the needs of others, I am to use the gifts He has given me to serve Him without distractions. Paul clarifies this position in 1st Corinthians. He states: "However, that may be, let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you... In whatever condition you were called, brothers and sisters, there remain with God" (7:17, 24). Christ has called all of us to do great things with our lives. When we choose to give into temptation and to let the snakes in our powers of greatness greatly diminishes. 


Thus, what happened to me this morning. As I was waking up and getting ready for the day, a sudden thought entered my mind, a thought that could only come from a snake. I am not proud to admit that I thought of such a thing, but my ability to quickly realize this thought was not from God, but from a greater force trying to tempt me to stop following my decisions to Hand over the Pen and let God have full control of my life. So anyways, to make a long story short I woke up this morning to the thoughts of "It will be  years before you see the benefits of my work", "What if you have to wait two more years until I bring someone special into your life", "What if this became you profession, not teaching", "You could give this up and leave it all behind now, and try to find love on your own without my help". Nevertheless, if you have ever experienced doubts similar to this, you know how detrimental they can be to one's self-esteem. I could of easily given into these thoughts and feelings, especially the idea that writing this blog is worthless and that I could take control of my own life story and even love story. But by giving in to these temptations and negative feelings I would be choosing to go against the Will of one of the greatest author's of all time.... Jesus Christ. Not to mention, I would be choosing to live my life through my own selfish desires and not His. As a single woman, I have chosen to live my life for Christ. Yes, it's true I have been given free will, and yes there have been times I have fallen. But at the same time I have also realized the greatness of His power and my decision to live out my life according to Him... no matter where that take me or what I end up doing. One of my faults is that I do like to plan ahead and have a familiar idea about what will happen. I would be lying if I wasn't a little apprehensive, at times, about trusting in God's will and where He will take me in this decision to give my All to Him. Yet, at the same time I know he will never give me more than I can handle and the blessings and rewards for serving Him in this Ministry He has given me, will be far more rewarding than anything I could ever accomplish on my own. 


For Paul writes, "I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the affairs of the Lord, so that they may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the affairs of the world, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to put any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord" (I Corinthians 7:32-35).

Therefore, as I mentioned earlier, the realization that these snakelike thoughts were not of my own will or His, I quickly found myself laying these doubts and feelings on God's alter praying that He would rid me from these temptations and deliver me from evil. God does not call us to live our life around our own desires and material things. Instead, He wants us to build our lives around the pursuit of His kingdom, pouring out our heart and sacrifices from Him. For no matter where we are or what snakelike thoughts enter our minds, we are never alone. 


The journey I have chosen is not an easy one. And while I wish I knew where the future would lead me or when I would meet Him, the excitement and anticipation makes it worth the wait. And as I wait, I am able to spend my days, weeks, months, and yes years if He desires being freer than I would if I was married, to give me life to those who are in need of Christ's love. My morning devotion stated "You have entered now upon a mountain climb. Steep steps lead upward, but your power to help others will be truly marvelous" (How great and power a statement to read after having just dealt with Satan's temptations). By praying to God and giving into His word and actions allows and leads me even, to Loving and Trusting in him more and more. For when we do not allow unkind thoughts to dwell in our hearts, God is able to act freely upon our lives and others through his Spirit... with nothing there to hinder all of His wondrous possibilities.