The Love You've Longed For

As I write these "over views" of my past weekend I am going to always name the speaker...but, some of the info here are the literal words of the speaker, some are paraphrased, some are concepts that I realized as I was listening to them speak on the general topic.  Some verses will have been provided by the speaker, some are verses that I love that I feel directly relate to the topic.  So...basically I'm just asking that none of you quote the speaker on the information that you don't agree with, because it may be my thoughts or words, not theirs. 

The first hour-long workshop that I attended at the Hearts at Home Conference was entitled "Come Closer to the Love You've Longed For".  The speaker was Jane Rubietta.  Here are my notes and after thoughts:

• We, as a people, always seem to want everything to be more, better, or different.  True, we were created perfect, and since Adam and Eve were banned from Eden we haven't lost that longing to return to the perfect life.
• Proverbs 19:22
• Unfailing love can only come from God.  Everyone on earth falls short of perfect and we can not count of them loving us perfectly.  
• John 10:10
• When God makes a promise He will keep it.  So - if He has promised that we can have life abundantly there must be a way to live that life.  I don't know about you, but I often feel like I am just going through the everyday motions, I wouldn't usually use the word "abundant" to describe my life!
• Most know the second half of John 10:10 (I like the version that says "I have come so that they may have life and have it abundantly").  Some may not know the first half that tells of the thief that will come to steal, lie, and destroy.
• So, how are we going to live our lives abundantly?
• Step 1:  Take inventory of your life.  We need to make a list of what The Thief has already stolen from us.  We need to know what we're missing that's keeping us from living life abundantly.  Maybe it's your childhood, maybe it's your smile, maybe it's your ability to have children, it's going to be different for everyone.  (The speaker recommended that we literally write this list out.)
• Step 2:  Take a stand against The Thief.  At your home we do this by locking doors, not leaving windows open, etc.  In order to do this we need to ask ourselves a very hard question:  How are you in cahoots with The Thief?  Most people do not want to admit that they are allowing The Thief into their hearts and home, but the fact is that we can always take a stand against him and we often don't even realize that we're allowing him to steal things from us.  You wouldn't leave your front door open at your house with a sign above the door that says, "Come on in, lots of great things to steal" would you?  Then don't do it with your heart!  Some simple ways that we may be in cahoots with The Thief are not getting enough sleep (therefore being cranky with those around you), not eating a good diet (and not taking care of the body God gave you), refusing to deal with things from your past, wearing "rose colored" glasses, and wasting your time.
• Step 3:  Cling to what you know to be true. I came up with three truths that I know.  1.  I know that God is Holy.  2.  I know that God's grace is always going to be sufficient for me.  3.  I know that God will never leave my side.  
• Step 4:  Create space for God to act.  We need to make sure we're aware at all times of what we're doing and how we're either inviting or limiting God's interaction in our lives.  When asked how to do this when we feel far from God or completely overwhelmed with our lives, the speaker made suggested things like simply stopping and taking deep breaths.  She said to think of it as breathing out all of the sickness, sin, etc. from your life and breathing in God's love.  She also suggested that you find what inspires you, if it's a sunset make an effort to go watch a sunset by yourself and spend some time in prayer.  When invited, God will always come.
• Step 5:  Call out to your friends.  We all need to find friends or family that will love us and be willing to tell us that hard things in life.  God knew that healing happens best in community.  We need people who are trust worthy to let us know when we're out of line, when we're in cahoots with The Thief, and when we need to change our thought process or behavior.  This is a hard thing to find, but I believe that if you pray and ask God to send those people into your life, He will...now you just have to be open to Him and them.