It’s hard to be God’s beloved today. Isn’t it easier to plan to more beloved, to be better in some way — tomorrow?
Tomorrow, we are always more confident, more healed or less anxious — and then, we might feel like we deserve to have peace, choose joy or stand up for ourselves or find our voice?
But, what if God is calling us to be his beloved today?
Now — as is?
Happy Soul List
This is the question I asked myself a few weeks ago when the new year started.
I’ve brainstormed a list called Bonnie’s “Happy Soul List” on New Year’s Day.
I said to myself, “What are the things I would do, start, attempt, or enjoy if I actually was in fact God’s beloved 100%? If I actually had Jesus, with me physically in the flesh, wherever I went, how would I live my life differently?”
In fact, as our family sat around the table enjoying a New Year’s dessert and snacks with Hubby Eric and my six-year-old Caleb and ten-year-old Josh — I asked each of them to come up a list of ideas that would be their “Happy List”. And we would share our list.
Since that time, I have helped Josh, Caleb and Eric launch some of their happy ideas in play. I am SO good at helping others get their soul needs met!
But, my list? Well, I have made a little bit of movement. I picked the low hanging fruit. And guess what? Yep, they involved other people. Those seem to be easier for me. Like inviting friends over for my first Chinese “hotpot” dinner last weekend (I’ll have to tell you more later. “hotpot” is like Chinese version of the French fondue).
But, the ideas on my Happy Soul List that have nothing to do with anyone but the secret, quiet me — that only Jesus knows?
Well, those ideas I’ve been hemming, hawing and over, analyzing to death.
And three weeks have passed.
Risk-Proof?
When the ideas first come to me, they are always simple.
Always one choice. The one words God puts on our hearts are quiet.
But, they are always clear. Simple.
But, then we take His one word — and try to safeguard our tomorrows by throwing a lot of choices onto the simple idea he’s placed on our hearts.
We kind of take it upon ourselves to then, risk-proof these beautiful ideas God sweetly, gently prompts us with a whisper.
We complicate the whisper. Then, our hearts become conflicted with confusion.
Give Yourself Permission
As I took the boys to the Lego store, God began to speak to me:
Too many choices can paralyze us. One soft whisper of God is all we need.
Give yourself permission to simply move and do that one movement.
Will it be perfect? no. Will other people be happy with it? maybe not. Will it be “successful”? maybe. But, the point is not the outcome. The point of the movement is to be alive. To be present. To be the YOU God created. Right now — with Jesus!
So when we take the perspective that leaving the results (or consequences, positive or negative) to Jesus is a step of faith — then, yes our movement will be perfected in God’s love and by faith!
Has God continue to place something on your heart to begin, do or return to?
Gently turn away all those other ifs, buts, or what-ifs — and simply return to the one word God quietly put on your heart.
It’s never too late. Be the beloved. Today.
Press In and Push Aside
Then, later that week, as I thought back on a hike in Muir Woods our family took a few weeks ago, a song came to my heart and God whispered again.
” In the secret, in the quiet place. In the stillness You are there.
// In the secret, in the quiet hour I wait, Only for You, ’cause I want to know You more…
// I am reaching for the highest goal, that I might receive the prize.
// Pressing onward, pushing every hindrance aside, Out of my way, ’cause I want to know you more.” lyrics to I Want To Know You More by Chris Tomlin ?
Let’s make the most of the twilight remains of the week.
Let’s press in. Let’s push aside every thought that pushes us to toil our way to tomorrow and savor the prize that is ours today: Jesus Himself.
A Bolt of Lightning: Immediately
Finally, as I took my walk a few mornings ago — my spiritual whitespace is a walk outside everyday before I write or do anything — a passage came to my mind:
“As Jesus was going along by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. Jesus said, “Come, follow me.” Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.
Going on a little farther, He saw James and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending their nets. Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.” Mark 1:16-20
The word immediately hit me like a thousand watt bolt of lightning:
I’ve been been casting my net in the sea. Being a fisherman, doing what I’ve always been good at: trying to catch a successful outcome. A safe outcome. A known outcome.
But, to be the beloved, I must leave my nets immediately. And follow Jesus. Today.
Do that thing. Make that call. Send that email. Write that thing. Reach out to ask for help. Tell someone I don’t want to do that and decline. Commit and say yes….
I’ve been mending my nets. I’ve been looking at all my worries, insecurities, shortcomings (which are very known to me).
And I’ve also been focusing a lot on the critical voices of people in life who do not regard me (or my ideas) as beloved. I’ve been afraid to “leave” their critical words and just go do my thing. Because I’m trying to mend the nets — change their mind — about me or my ideas.
I’ve been working hard to mend myself from my imperfections. And I’m trying to avoid the hurtful imperfections of others. I’m trying to fix and mend things that God doesn’t want me to fix as his Beloved.
Friends, this is not the voice of the Beloved.
Let’s not worry about tomorrow.
Let’s not wait.
Listen. God’s One Word Whispers
Jesus is sweetly whispering —
Take my hand. Drop your nets.
Come. Let’s leave everything.
Say goodbye. I have a different life ahead for you.
You are my beloved. Yes. You.
Believe it. Come follow me.
Today.
What do you think of a fresh start, friends. Today?
Respond. Your Words
immediately.
Jesus is gently calling for you and me.
Leave safety. Be my Beloved. My love will keep you safe. Follow me instead.
Notice, Jesus calls his disciples to follow him — together.
This journey to be beloved is shared. Let’s help each other.
Don’t think. Just do. Be his beloved. Today.
Share. Your Heart
What is the One Word in today’s verse that speaks to you?
What is God whispering on your heart to do today?
Pull up chair. Click to comment. I love hearing what speaks to you. You make this place real. Psst… enjoying #OneWordCoffee with you is on My Happy Soul List. love, bonnie
Next week’s 2/4/16 #OneWordCoffee prompt: happy. Create & brainstorm ideas for your “My Happy Soul List” (i’d love to hear your list or your experience of creating one! feel free to let your One Word for 2016 inspire you.)
Who can you share today’s encouragement with?
For more encouragement, get a copy of Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest.
#OneWordCoffee Link Up
Soul Writing With Jesus — Together
This new #OneWordCoffee Wednesday series inspires us to create space in a simple way, to be present, hear God’s whispers, to be refreshed & renewed. ?
Every Wednesday, I’ll invite you to stop, pause, & reflect on a One Word prompt.
Then, you share how One Word speaks to you: 1. simply post a comment (or) 2. write a blog post, link up on Wednesdays and visit the post before yours to comment and encourage. place the #OneWordCoffee badge in your post(click here) & link back (or) 3. tag photos #OneWordCoffee on Facebook or Instagram inspired by your one word.
#OneWordCoffee ☕️ A simple invitation to create a new rhythm for your soul. To stop and hear God’s whispers. And swap some stories together.
Today’s 1/27/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: today (or) choose any One Word of your choice.
Next week’s 2/4/16 #OneWordCoffee Prompt: happy. Create & brainstorm ideas for your “My Happy Soul List”. feel free to let your One Word for 2016 inspire you.
Loading InLinkz ...photo credit: kelly ishmael
53 Comments
Today, I am trying to stop worrying about outcomes and start listening to God when He tells me it’s OK to rest. I am so swamped with to-do lists and anxious about it all, but He’s whispering to just rest and receive His grace for today. I’m praying for strength to let go and let God be in control!
hey jordan, i hope there is something for YOU and your soul at the TOP of your to do list… 🙂 let’s leave our nets..
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Bonnie, I can’t tell you how often I’ve complicated God’s whispers to me. I love how you share your heart and challenges you face to simply walk by faith one step at a time. Thank you for this opportunity to once again link up and share what’s in my heart about TODAY.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
thank you for linking up with me… as we both exhale an express what’s on our hearts… as we simplify to hear His one word to us this week… with love. with you, debbie…
Love this. The call to change it today. I had a similar revelation this weekend. Why am I staying stuck in the muck of past hurts and regrets when I am more than that? I’m an overcomer because Christ overcame. Today!!! Yes! Your analogy of mending the Nets is exactly where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing. Thank you for this confirmation.
you are beloved, with your past and your present. all of you are here. as is.. thnx for sharing #OneWordCoffee together in the morning, kristy..
The word “follow” speaks to me. I recently took,a risk and enrolled in a training class to be an adult literacy tutor for ESL students. I completed the training and will start by shadowing other tutors in a group ESL class. The word follow reminded me of the word shadow. It is a place of learning. I love that I will be learning as I follow someone’s experienced leadership. This is exactly what Christ wants is to do with Him daily. I am scared and excited about this opportunity but know I can trust in Him.
dear Jesus, thank you for your whispers for Catherine – guiding her to share her gift of teaching with those who will be touched by her life and words. keep whispering reassurance for her in this next step with you.. to follow. amen — thank you, catherine for sharing your #OneWordCoffee together..
Dear Bonnie,
I love your post today. It pierced my heart and soul. My one word from last year was RESTORE. Guess what my one word is this year? RESTORE. God’s message to me is coming through loud and clear, but even as I say that, it’s really a gentle whisper. I love Him so. Thank you for your blog.
hi paula, it’s so sweet how God’s message to you are piercing and speaking into your soul – with RESTORE. thnx for sharing #OneWordCoffee together.. so sweet.
Bonnie,
Your words and photos today are beautiful! Before I even read your words of “don’t think, just do” I responded to a whisper of God to include, to invite, to reach out to someone in need of God’s love. And when I did, she thanked me for caring. Bonnie — thank YOU for asking us to get quiet to listen to God and then inspiring us to respond. xoxo
that is a beautiful moment where you didn’t think, but you were just being the beloved. doing. being. not thinking. stepping outside of the moment. i LOVED hearing that Valerie. let’s keep being — even if it feels odd for us at first! 😉
“I’ve been been casting my net in the sea. Being a fisherman, doing what I’ve always been good at: trying to catch a successful outcome. A safe outcome. A known outcome.
But, to be the beloved, I must leave my nets immediately. And follow Jesus. Today.”
Follow…Jesus. I am almost 69 years old, live with chronic pain and am in a marriage that has been dead for a long time. I can’t fix anything. But, I can follow Jesus. Love, believe and trust Him…not the world. Isaiah 40:31 …those who hope in/wait on the LORD will renew their strength. I WILL FOLLOW to the best of my ability. God’s power is strong in my weakness.
hi barb, may you experience His love for you as you hear his whispers for you. may you follow whispers and find refreshment for your soul. as you give rest to your body and do things that help ease the pain and also enjoy what feeds your spirit. thnx for sharing #OneWordCoffee together…
You always speak volumes to my heart, Bonnie. God bless you this week. I am casting my net. Halleluja.
hi caroline, i love meeting with you once a week, to enjoying #OneWordCoffee together…
Oh how I empathize with this: “I’m trying to fix and mend things that God doesn’t want me to fix as his Beloved.” God keeps reminding me that my path is to “leave my nets” to receive His. I love how you take it one step further and see “immediately” there. If we embraced Him “immediately” more often, then we’d be ensnared by our own “nets” less often. I’m a slow learner, but He’s being patient and gentle in moving me forward into His embrace, leading me forward in grace.
Thank you for your continued encouragement to us here, Bonnie.
hi anna, it’s so wonderful to hear how the word “immediately” and “nets” are impressing on your heart this week. God is very kind.. He goes at our pace.. love enjoying #OneWordCoffee together.. thnx for taking the time.
Be my Beloved….I will hold on to these words in the next three weeks as I checked in at a hospital this morning for a bone marrow/ stem cell transplant.
Please pray for peace, comfort, joy and healing. Thank you, Bonnie!
dear Jesus, please reassure Firefly2016 with your whispers of peace, comfort, joy and healing right now, as she is in the hospital. may you bring friends to pray with her and let her know just how special and beloved she is. in Jesus name, Amen… dear Firefly2016, i’m thinking of you and whispering a prayer this morning for your recovery. rest, friend..
Such a timely topic today! I am alone in my community after a job loss a year ago and loss of both parents two years ago. Could we all pray for each other on this journey of faith? I am awaiting responses on job applications or new job leads, evidence of God’s hand on my future path. Blessings to you all!
dear Jesus, you see Kimberly, and you know how she is feeling — and you know just the one next step you’d like her to take — today. reassure her of your whispers of your love. please provide the job that are in play and guide it to bless your daughter Kimberly. in Jesus’ name, Amen. — love enjoying #OneWordCoffee together, kimberly.. thnx for taking the time.
I know this is so from God. Im 68 yrs and it has been on my heart for yrs to minister to women whos husbands are incarceraterd or have been. My husband made a nice income and he did something that put him in prison for 6 yrs. I lost everything we had..home car lost it all. People I had known for years turned from me..all my friends were christians. I know what it is to be alone. I don’t even know where to begin. I have started 2 support groups and the women have told me they are to ashamed to attend. This is the first time I have shared this. God Bless you!
hi connie, thank you for sharing so boldly what God has placed on your heart – a love for other women who are walking the journey God has led you through. be strong and courageous. you are loving those Jesus would be loving if he were physically here. and He is loving them THROUGH YOU. my heart is just so deeply touched hearing God’s voice and heart for these women through YOU – and your story! dear Jesus, please Connie & guide her as she leaves her nets and follows you to touch those who you love so much. she is rich beyond measure in you – and i’m so blessed she shard this. in Your name we pray, amen.
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for sharing your encouraging words today. Really like the tree photo. Trees calm me.
Reading this familiar verse once again today, the word SAW speaks the loudest today. Jesus saw these two potential followers and He sees me as well as those who have yet to meet Him
I cannot escape the presence of God in my life. He loves me enough to watch over me and call me into daily fellowship. It’s a daily invitation. Am I going to accept it and reap the blessings of sweet fellowship ?
I was in Atlanta at a woman’s conference this weekend and heard Audrey Frank speak on Hagar and “the God who sees me”.
Our God lovingly sees/ watches over his sheep and He also sees those who are yet to come into his fold.
hi darlene, trees so calm me too. aren’t they just God’s arms of love touching us with every sway? 🙂 so blessed to hear how God whispered to you “God who Sees Me”. vlove enjoying #OneWordCoffee together.. thnx for taking the time to share your one word “see” this week.
“Mend my imperfections”, Yep~that’s me. I strive to keep order and crave perfection. Thank you Jesus that I know longer have to be that person. I am learning to slow down and accept less than perfect although it takes frequent prayer and constant awareness. I am newly remarried and together we have six children, This life is large and messy-not what is easy or comfortable for me. Yet somehow I know this is right where God wants me. I know my purpose is greater than maintaining a perfect house or packing the healthiest of lunches for six. I know God is using me to help train up five future wives and one future husband. I know God is modeling a marriage that is Christ centered and focused on love and respect. I know God has taken me out of my comfort zone to explore something greater and larger than what I can see. I know he sent his son Jesus to take away the sting of imperfection because I am his beloved.
hi kelley, we can walk this journey together. messy, as is… take that seed of inspiration and just do the step right in front of you — and don’t look too far as to how and where it will go. i know that is what trips me up. let’s just do that one thing on our hearts.. and leave where it leads to tomorrow. 😉 dear God, please reassure Kelley of the idea you’ve put on her heart. thank you for her. amen.. love enjoying #OneWordCoffee together, kelley.. thnx for taking the time.
“Leave” is the word that spoke to me. It has been a challenging couple of years and I have been in counselling to heal from past hurts. I need to leave it all at His feet and not pick it back up but trust and follow Him.
it’s okay… you are being courageous to heal… and very beloved… it isn’t our fault we were hurt and now, we are taking care of the little girl in us… just keep following His whispers for you one day at a time… love enjoying #OneWordCoffee together.. thnx for taking the time to share so transparently, rachelle.
G’mrng …God Bless u & ur families,
My word to share is peace. I pray the Holy Spirit helps me make peace with myself.
I want so much to walk with God, show him what he means to me. Holy Spirit, helped God to do the right things. I have to be willing to do the right things even if it isn’t easy. Obidence almost always brings pain to the soul and to emotions. My most urgent need is approach him. I read that God is the rewarder of his seeker. Here in the body, to be obedient with God, nowing he will give me the grace to do what is right. I pray for peace. I know the past is time that will never pass again. I must try to be with peace with this one moment in life.
hi debbie, love enjoying #OneWordCoffee together.. thnx for taking the time to share your one word “peace”. love how you’re heart is listening and love how He’s calling you to be in the moment with him today. enjoy something beautiful and soulful for you, sweet friend. experience his lvoe for you. give yourself permission to do whatever gives you peace..
“Immediately” really struck me and brought me to tears and cries out to God. And your words about how you realized you’ve been mending your nets – I cried, “Me, too!” I focus too much on insecurities, worries, shortcomings, and critical voices of the past, too. This line tugs at my heart and gives me hope – “Leave safety. Be my Beloved. My love will keep you safe. Follow me instead.” Thank you so much, Bonnie. I’m sooo glad Jesus is sooo patient with my hesitant heart… Blessings and hugs to you!
hi trudy! love how “immediately” spoke to you… his words will never run out for us… so nice we can visit one word at a week… hugs!
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The word from today’s verse that speaks to my heart is “immediately.” There are so many times that I find myself putting off my prayer and Bible study time to “later.” I usually do it first thing in the morning when the house is quiet but lately I have been putting it off. Thank God that he knows my heart and forgives me when I find it sooo hard to forgive myself! Thank you for your comforting words and God bless you now and always!
hi pamela, how about viewin a cup of tea as your moment with God? or a walk? or maybe journaling or even taking a bath? i wonder what would be something you do that would be soothing for your soul – sometimes prayer and time with God is taking time to just be still and enjoy restful moments with him… you are beloved. as is. love enjoying #OneWordCoffee together.. thnx for taking the time to share.. .
Today I am just holding on as we wait for more test results for my husband. Today, I choose to believe God’s truth you remind me of every time I read your blog, I am God’s beloved and so is my husband. Love you Bonnie.
hi katie… keep me / us updated. both of you are so very beloved. i wish you didn’t have to go through any of this suffering. but, i know that He will carry you through — just as He has. just as we are. dear Jesus, we feel so helpless i this waiting. there is no easy way to wait. be very, very close and reassure katie and her husband you are going to be there with them, in every moment.in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Follow. I don’t have to understand every angle of where I am going, what I will do, how it will work out, what are the dangers, the pros and the cons; because in faith, I follow Him. I don’t set out on my own; I have a guide, a leader. I do life His way, following Him. How freeing it is to let go of my agenda and to trust Him!
Bonnie, your words have penetrated my heart:
“I’ve been mending my nets. I’ve been looking at all my worries, insecurities, shortcomings (which are very known to me).
And I’ve also been focusing a lot on the critical voices of people in life who do not regard me (or my ideas) as beloved. I’ve been afraid to “leave” their critical words and just go do my thing. Because I’m trying to mend the nets — change their mind — about me or my ideas.
I’ve been working hard to mend myself from my imperfections. And I’m trying to avoid the hurtful imperfections of others. I’m trying to fix and mend things that God doesn’t want me to fix as his Beloved.
Friends, this is not the voice of the Beloved.”
These words just sum up perfectly some of my hesitations, concerns, mindset. So today, I will follow Him and be His beloved. And then try to do the same thing each day. Thank you so much for pricking my heart through HIM.
hi lisa, thanks for spending the time visiting as we enjoy #OneWordCoffee together.. with God’s whispers. and sharing how it’s connecting with your heart and journey. i hope something beautiful or good for your soul has touched you with a moment of Gods’ love. hugs
Bonnie this is so good! I tend to overanalyze as well. God gives me a word OVERCOME and I start to add all these other thoughts, ideas and assumptions to that word. I love your thought: Just do it. Be God’s beloved today. That is the other thing He has been speaking to me: Just Go For It. Failure is not a tombstone, it’s a stepping stone to the next level. Don’t fear, just do it. Thank you for sharing this!
i’m the same way… adding to it.. trying to analyze it.. and i love his whisper to you “OVERCOME”. let’s just be. just do. rather than stepping outside of the moment. it feels odd and even “wrong”, but it’s real. live. organic. by faith! so happy you share this alisa. thnx for enjoying #OneWordCoffee together!
Bonnie, this post is refreshing and certainly the word “immediately” stands out as the point I need to allow Him to work into my life. It is sadly not a habit. What really seemed highlighted was your phrase “spiritual white space”. That caught my attention and resonated as exactly what I too often don’t take time to be sure is there. For me, it would mean going beyond my Bible reading and prayer time and allow time for Him to simply “be” with me. I get some of that with my journaling, but I think He is inviting me to more! Thanks so much!
hi pam, i think you would enjoy my book then.. 🙂 i wrote an entire book to shared my journey to find and discover my spiritual whitespace — of finding rest and experiencing God more intimately – to simply be. it’s called “Finding Spiritual Whitespace” . i hope you’ll enjoy and let me know what you think! thnx for sharing #OneWordCoffee together…
Today – means make the most of what you are given because we aren’t promised tomorrow. Seize opportunities to serve The Lord and your loved ones.
Thanks for hosting! Have a blessed week!
As I read this post earlier in the week, the word that kept coming to mind was, “GO.” As in “GO to the CAWR retreat!” I blogged about why it was a scary step for me, but reading this post again today reconfirms it… I have to stop being afraid of what God MIGHT have me do and stop trying to risk-proof things and trust Him. One Giant Baby Step at a time. 🙂
http://musingmelissa.blogspot.com/2016/01/giant-baby-steps.html
Thanks, Bonnie.
Bonnie,
Your healing words of truth always inspire my soul, drawing me to go deeper in my relationship with My Heavenly Father. Thank you for your authenticity. It is truly refreshing.
As I was driving into works today the sense of being overwhelmed with just to much, to many things, to many responsibilities almost made me turn around and go back home. Then I read your email and even then my mind told me that I needed to think about it and do it later. But as I think about entering the Lenten season I hard “Let Me.” I do not lean on Him enough. He bought me at a great price and I often forget that. He did that for me, a party of one, and I forget to let Him.
Thank you Bonnie
thank you Deborah for your sharing this very special moment when God whispered into your heart. He loves you — just you — party of one so deeply. and He’ll keep whispering to you – “let me”. surely God is with us in this very place where we are #kindreds
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