Vision Renewal

I’ve been performing a little check up from the neck up (my mother’s phrase).  

I’m noticing how I spend my time, asking – Does this support my life’s vision?  One, or five, or ten years ago, would I have seen myself doing this today?

Here is what I’m reviewing:
      - My core values, which say who I am.
      - My mission, which speaks of my purpose that comes out  of those core values.
      - My vision, which is what I see myself doing to carry out that mission. 
      - My vision should be supported by a plan with goals.

This process has been enlightening.  I’ve reminded myself of God’s unique call on my life. Some of my activities are fine, but some things I’m doing don’t support my mission at all. 

For example, there are things I’m doing to fulfill an old vision that I’ve realized doesn’t fit me anymore.  My test is – Can I see myself doing this in the future?  Seasons of life change and my vision has changed with them.

I’ve also noticed I’m supporting the visions of others.  That’s fine; we should all support one another, as long as their vision doesn’t go against my mission and doesn’t supersede my vision.  A simple way to think of it is that I, my calling, should be the star of my own life; it’s what I am best equipped to do.  If my calling were to be to support others in their visions, then I should star at that, but I should not try to accomplish the vision of someone else.

The result of this checkup is that I’m letting go of some things and picking up others.  I’m also looking to create synergy with those who have a mission similar to mine. My sense of purpose and hope are renewed.

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith 

Abundantly Above All

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)    Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 

I've been asking God for His exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think.  I reasoned that anything else I could ask, since I could ask or think it, it had to be too small.  I wanted to live in the fullness of God.

I have received a revelation. 

I already have (drumroll) --- God!

He is the power that works in me. 

How much more exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think could I get?  Right here, at this moment, I have all.

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

Spirit, Breath, Wind

I learned in chemistry class one day that the largest part of anything is space. At least that's how I interpreted what was being taught.  There is space between the nucleus, electrons, etc.  As the structure of atoms and how they join together was being taught, I thought of the disciples being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2 tells of a mighty rushing wind entering the room where the disciples were filled with the Spirit of God. Looking in my concordance, I saw that wind and spirit are from the same root word meaning breath.  I imagined the Holy Spirit blowing through each person filling every bit of space with His life.

The Spirit, breath, wind of God has filled my world.

I love this life!

Copyright 2012   Leah Lambert Smith

Valuing The Lost

Luke 15:4, 6  NKJV  (from the parable of the lost sheep)

v. 4 -What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

v. 6 - And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!"

Luke 15:8-9  NKJV (from the parable of the lost coin)

v. 8 - Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

v. 9 - And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!"

Luke 15:24, 32  NKJV (from the parable of the lost son)

v. 24 - " for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." And they began to be merry. 

v. 32 - "It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."

Luke 15 is all about the value of the lost. Tax collectors and sinners had drawn near to Jesus so they could hear Him. The Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” They didn't value the lost. Jesus then gives 3 examples of the joy people have when that which was lost is found - the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son.  

The fact that I call something lost implies that it has value to me.  I don't lament that trash is lost, but I will lament if something I consider valuable is lost in the trash.

Luke 19:10 reads - for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.  

The value Jesus gave the lost was His life.

Reference – I heard my pastor preach that seeking something lost implies that it has great value.  When I read Luke 15 today, I was reminded of his sermon.

 

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

Don't Kill Yourself

I tended to be an analytical, critical thinker.  When focused on my life, that kind of thinking would exacerbate the negative.  Pondering my future, I would project that negativity forward...  It was depressing.  I saw no reason to walk into a future with no hope.

I've crossed paths with a lot of critical thinkers lately.  Given the opportunity, I encourage them to never project their perceived present into their future.  Life changes too quickly and easily. 

I prefer to expect the wonders of life to come my way.  Honestly, they often do.

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith

Don't Be Like That Child

Keep your eyes upon Me; keep your ears tuned to what I say.
Don't be like that child.  The child that goes on a field trip with his class.  He remains aware of his classmates so that he doesn't feel left behind, but he daydreams and lets his eyes wander all around.  While the rest of the class pays attention to the leader by keeping their eyes upon the leader and keeping their ears tuned to what the leader says, this child doesn't see or hear.  
This child's mother will ask him tonight, "Did you go on the field trip today?"  The child will answer, "Yes, I did."  However, the child has deceived himself.  He was not there for the purpose of the trip.  He was only geographically present.
Don't be like that child.  Keep your eyes upon Me; keep your ears tuned to what I say.
   
This word the Lord gave me years ago keeps coming to my remembrance.  I can get so busy and distracted, but that's not the purpose of this trip.  The purpose is to keep my eyes upon my God and to keep my ears tuned to what He is saying.  

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith