YES to GOD study: CH. 2: Flitting To and Fro

UPDATED BELOW 10/15/09.

WELCOME

to

YES to GOD Tuesday

on Wednesday this week.

Due to life getting in the way I am posting today. Alivia and I have been both sick since the weekend. I'm better, she's still running a fever and it was confirmed this morning she has asthma.

Joy.

For anyone who has no clue what I'm talking about, we just started reading through the newest book by Lysa TerKeurst.

Lord willing, we gather here every Tuesday and discuss one chapter.

Click here to read the study FAQ's.

It's never too late to join in and even invite your friends.

Okay...post your thoughts or leave them in the comments and I'll post mine later.
Oh, and if you haven't seen Lysa's new look on her blog, click on her name above and go visit her.

It's beautiful!

See you soon.

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CHAPTER 2: FLITTING TO AND FRO

Anything in blue is a quote from the book.

Last night I was at work reading this chapter and the tears would not stop. I know God is working on my heart and is changing so much at one time, but when you relate to something in print it tends to trigger emotions you didn't even realize you were holding in and boy did I let them out last night!

Last summer when I attended the She Speaks conference I remember listening to this speaker talk about having a "platform". I sat in my chair questioning why I was even at the conference. I had no platform. I'm not a published author. I'm not a speaker. So why was I at this conference? I remember how down I felt until he said this..."Your platform can be your blog."

Oh.

Who was I to be working with a Christian ministry? Especially a ministry that taught women to love their husbands, nurture their children, and follow after God every day? None of this seemed truly possible for me. I was a hollow woman, not a holy woman. I had said yes to Jesus being my Savior, but didn't have a clue how He could be the answer to my emptiness.

Who am I to be used by God through a blog?

This morning it hit me after reading this chapter that if we don't allow God to be the One to fill us up in every area of our lives then we are on a chase of a quick fix.

I am learning to be content right where God has me and He is opening doors on His timing.

When Lysa shared how she looked for others or things to fill her empty cup I really understood her thinking. The only thing that filled my cup was regret. I now know the difference between being filled with Jesus Christ and the world. The world always has you searching and leaves you feeling so empty. Many women have found themselves on a journey hopping from bed to bed thinking, this guy is the one who will make me feel loved.

Wrong!

They leave that relationship with the same emptiness they entered into it with plus much more loss.

The reality is no person, possession, profession, or position ever fills the cup of a wounded, empty heart-----not my heart, not your heart. It's an emptiness only God can fill.

Anything we use as a substitute for God is an idol, a false God.

Oh, to be able to go back in time and apply what I know now.

I loved how Lysa took us through different areas she struggled to fill with things of the world and the before and after of letting God do the job He is the only One qualified to do.

Lysa tells us that every single thing the world offers is temporary. These fixes can never fill our void long-term.

I think that is one of the many things I love about this author is she is just so real. Real as can be and we can relate to someone who has "been there, done that". She shared with us on page 32 about her battle with the "If I Only Had" temptation.

I could be really happy and fulfilled if only I had...

a skinnier body. (YES!)

a husband.

a husband who was more tender and romantic.

more money. (YES!)

a more successful career....

What is your "If only I had" list?

This past Spring all of our kitchen appliances went haywire. We had already planned on getting a new fridge, but then I needed a new stove (could've waited) and we really had to get a new dishwasher (could've washed by hand).

With my all new black appliances I couldn't have a white microwave.

I was fulfilled with all of my new appliances.

For about a week and then I moved my focus from the kitchen to the living room.

"I would be so happy if I could get a new couch".

Yes, I know Gene is out of a job and has another surgery coming up, but look how worn my couch is Lord!

And our mattress is so old. Gene's back would be much more comfortable with a new bed.

Like a top of the line pillow top mattress.

And my bathroom needs to be remodeled.

The backyard needs to be landscaped.

The front yard needs to be landscaped.

I want to paint.

I need a new house.

Oh, I have no idea why the Almighty One hasn't struck me down with lightning!

Probably because He wants to keep me on earth at arms' length instead of having me follow Him around up above.

I don't know what your "if only I had" statements are, but I do know that none of them will bring fulfillment.

Becoming more than a good Bible study girl means realizing that, apart from a thriving relationship with God, even if you got everything on your list, there would still be a hollow gap in your soul.

What are you talking about Lysa T???

I told myself I'd be a happy girl if we could replace our leaking fridge.

But then our dishwasher broke so whowouldn't be happy with not having to do dishes by hand?

And I was happy.

Until the stove needed to be replaced. I mean, it only had one working burner!

My new stove hadn't even been used yet before I had Gene convinced that we needed a new microwave.

In black.

To match all of my other unfulfilling appliances.

Just a never ending chase ladies.

Lysa then walked us through how she now responds to people, possessions and positions that in the past she tried to get to do the job of fulfilling that only God can do.

Instead of saying "If only I had" she now speaks God's Word into her life.

Whatever your gap is, God is the perfect fit for your emptiness.

This is no quick fix ladies, it's a daily giving Christ control of what we think might fill us up.

Make us happy.

Yesterday on Facebook, author Mark Batterson's status read,

"your ultimate destiny will be determined by your daily disciplines."

So thankful we have a God that cares more about us than our happiness.

I must continue to pursue truth that keeps me grounded and God's love that keeps me filled.

Then

my desperate hollowness is replaced by a desire for holiness.

If I could walk into my life when I was in my early 20's this is what I would say...

"Lea, don't go out tonight. You will end up with a man that will never love you, take care of you or even care about you. That empty feeling you have is something nobody or no thing can satisfy. You have a desperate hollowness that can only be filled by the God you asked into your life in 2nd grade.

Pursue Him instead of a man and see the difference."

My daily lack of discipline led me down a path of never feeling satisfied. Until I really met Jesus.

In my last post I said I had something to share, but then my girl and I got sick, so I'll be back this weekend to share it.

God is just way too good!

Last week we took a poll to see if you wanted to read 1 chapter a week or a section each week and the vote that won was to continue discussing 1 chapter a week.

If reading 1 chapter a week drives you nuts, then just come back and give your thoughts. Reading 1 a week really gives me time to "chew on it" as my dear friend Donna once told me to do. I learn more when I let things sink into my heart. Funny how that works.

Next week, Tuesday October 20th have read

chapter 3: When I Feel Like I Don't Measure Up.

Hmmm...think I'll start reading it now.

~Many Blessings~