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I want to take a minute and shout out a special THANK YOU! Thank you to all the individuals who joined me here over the summer with a Guest Post. Thank you all for sharing your heart, your writing, and yourselves with those who join us here each week.
I enjoyed having each one of you contribute this summer as it helped me to focus on my writing deadlines for Chosen Books.My final deadline is in fast approaching (12 days) but whose counting. LOL But more importantly, I loved sharing my space with you and your writing. The topics you tackled and the authenticity with which you shared touch many people! I hope that you each gained new weekly readers from the process as well.
Today I am officially back, but please keep me in your prayers and I push through to finish the manuscript. Now onto this weeks post. ENJOY!
Laughter erupted from the other end of the couch as my husband sat watching a video on his phone. After he was done laughing with tears in his eyes, he said to me, “You’ve got to watch this!” I thought to myself, it’s probably another video of baby goats bouncing around aimlessly or the ones that faint when they get scared.
He turned his phone towards me and instead I was staring at hamsters! Hamsters running on a wheel, what could be so funny about that? But as I watched the video, I suppose I could see why he thought it was funny, but I did not.
Two hamsters trying to run on the same wheel. One caught its stride and was running fast and furiously to some unknown destination in it’s mind. The other? Well, the poor little critter was flung around the wheel and then all of a sudden thrown out and ended up hanging on for dear life to the bar just outside the wheel. At first, it looked like the little fellow was doing chin ups, when in reality, he was just trying not to get run over or fall off. As he hung on, he was being beaten and tousled by the wheel as it went around and around. Then, as the other hamster slowed his running, the one who moments before was hanging on for dear life flipped into the wheel and didn’t miss a beat. Once inside the wheel he too began to run to his heart’s content.
Maybe you’ve seen this video of the PetSmart hamsters?
As I watched the video, I wasn’t laughing. I didn’t see it as funny. I felt like I was watching an image of my life being played out with hamsters. Running in this game of life sometimes feels much like a “rat race” or in this case, a hamster running on the wheel. Many are climbing on the wheel running to their hearts content oblivious to those around them. There are those who are being run over by those so focused on achieving and reaching their imagined destination. Then there are those who hanging on for dear life, as they are flung or cast aside.
Tweet ThisI’ve been in all these positions. I’ve been the self-focused determined person who could only see the image in my mind of what I needed to do, and so I ran. Ran without a thought or a pause for concern other than the end goal of getting to where I thought I needed to be. Then I have been that person who started the journey with others, only to have been run over by their ambition and focus and found myself on the outside hanging on for dear life, just waiting for things to slow down so I could get off and get back on my own wheel – so much for teamwork. And I too, have been the one cast aside and overlooked with feelings of rejection and hurt.
The truth is we were meant to do life together in community and to help each other, not run over each other. Our focus, should never solely be the destination we see in our mind, but rather the journey and the process as we partner with others. Our world has taught us that it’s a dog eat dog world, and we must only look out for ourselves and our own self-interests, but Jesus taught us otherwise.
Sure, Jesus was focused. He had a certain role to fulfill in His life here on earth, but he did not do it at the expense of others. In fact, Jesus would often take moments along His journey to see people and their hurts that others often overlooked. Jesus was compassionate, yet driven. Jesus was focused, yet patient. Jesus was firm yet loving and caring. He showed us that we can stay focused on our calling, yet still care for those who have been placed in our path.
Somewhere along the way, we’ve believed the lie that if two people have similar goals that they can’t partner with one another or help each other out. That is simply not the case. Jesus’ kingdom economy and way of thinking is upside down from today’s modern thinking. Jesus taught, that if we want to lead, we must serve. If we want to be first, we must last, and He taught we should be generous and not envious. Jesus taught us to care for the one, to help others, and not compete with one another. Throughout the Gospel stories, we see Jesus taking time to care for the ONE.
The story of the woman with an issue of blood found in Luke 8:41-46 is perfect example of what it means to help the one, even when it’s inconvenient. Jesus was on His way to heal Jarius’ 12 year old daughter, who the Scripture says was dying. One could easily say the woman inconvenienced Jarius and the disciples by touching Jesus’ garment thereby distracting him and stopping Him from going straight to heal another. Jesus took time to care for the ONE right in front of Him even though He was focused on reaching a dying young girl. One was not more important than the other, they both needed a touch from Jesus, and both received exactly that.
I want to be known as a person who loves Jesus and loves others. I want to be known as a person that helps others fulfill their calling and walk in their destiny, and in doing so, I will be walking towards mine.
What about you? Will you join in me in helping and caring for others ?
Will you join me in community as we partner together and journey with each other down the path before us?
Again Welcome and Thank you for joining me for #TuneInThursday it is an honor to have you here!
I have had a few people ask for a badge/button to display on your blogs. I would absolutely be honored if you would display it, or link back here in some way. Thank you!
Now let’s get this party started, feel free to link 1-3 posts:
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Do you wonder if God still speaks today? Do you wonder if He would ever speak to you personally? Do you long to hear the voice of God in your life?
Have your read other books on hearing from God, but long for hands on practical application? or are you looking for ways to move you forward hearing from God?
If you answered YES to any of those questions, then I have exactly what you need. I now have an online e-course designed to equip you in understanding that God still speaks today, and He longs to speak directly to you, through His word, and others. He longs to encourage you, strengthen you and comfort you. The training on this site, is fully based on Scripture, and taken from my training manual Releasing God’s heart through Hearing His Voice.
I have been teaching these classes internationally for the last 10+ years equipping and training believers in discerning the Ways God speaks. God is speaking, Can you Hear Him?
2. My new membership site, d2htrainging.com has official opened, I invite you to check it out today, and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord, as you learn to hear Him speak to your heart.
Looking for other Great Inspirational Parties. Click Here to see where I Link-Up weekly.
Several Submissions have been featured at Blessed Transgressions, an Online Magazine:
Balancing the Warrior & the Princess We’re Called to Be
Trusting God When it Seems Illogical
Will You Sit with Me? (Jesus is Calling.)
My Post “Climb Every Mountain” was featured in the August monthly link-up at : Life on Intention Link-up Party
My Post: The Power of your Story was featured here:
My Post “What’s in a Name?” was featured here:
My Post: “Will You Sit with Me?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
Again, I have been know to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
I’ll be praying for you and this manuscript!
thank you so much Lisa! Your prayers are very much appreciated
Thanks again for the opportunity to share my words here, Debbie, and I’m praying for you as you finish your deadline! I love your exhortation today! I’m with you. 🙂
Kelly, you are so very welcome for the opportunity to guest post. It was my pleasure. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement today, and than ks for standing with me. 🙂
I stopped by again to let you know I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award. https://kellyrbaker.com/honoring-bloggers-blogger-recognition-award/ Please don’t feel obligated to do a thing. Just know you are a blessing to many!
Oh Kelly, thank you so much – Your nomination means more than my words could say. I am so very honored that you would nominate me! Truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Blessings to you 🙂
So thankful that Jesus and a heart for others can free us from our hamster wheel. (I would not have laughed at that video either — too close to home!)
Blessings to you as you put finishing touches on that beautiful work you’ve been creating!
Oh Michele, thanks for letting me know I am not alone in not laughing. Even last night as I was finishing the post, my husband said again.. “how can you not find this funny?” hahaha -it does hit too close to home I suppose that is exactly why. Thank you also for your encouragement as I finish writing. Blessings to you today
What a fabulous message today, Debbie. Because it should be more about others…that’s what gives us joy!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie – and yes I completely agree with you. XOXO back at ya as well. 🙂
Thank you for hosting this spooktacualr party. There is so much inspiration here. Enjoy a wonderful week!
Thanks Marilyn – I always love having you here – you always add such great inspiration. 🙂
Ya know what was so cool about this post? And, certainly NOT the pitiful hamsters but I could actually HEAR John laugh, belly laugh and it made me smile!
HAHAHA Susan – YES – that is exactly what he did and I am so glad it brought you a smile and hopefully some laughter as well. 🙂
I know the hamster on the wheel feeling. I had to slow down and get off. Jesus has been all about rest lately.
Rebecca – there are times and seasons for everything – especially rest! It’s something we often overlook, but is essential for us to go the distance. Thanks for being here today 🙂
Debbie, I love this post! May God help us be a people who are focused, yet loving and compassionate, not missing the people whom God puts in our paths.
Blessings to you and thanks so much for allowing me to guest post. 🙂
Thank you Gayl 🙂 and you are most welcome, it was an honor to have you as a guest last week.
I am utterly GRATEFUL that Jesus came for this one, and pulled me off of that hamster wheel! I may find myself longing for those old days of rushing importance, but nothing compares to the REST that He offers! Thank you for sharing these sweet thoughts today! Blessings to you as you approach your book’s deadline! May the Lord keep rest in your heart, even as your days are so full!
Bettie – I love that blessings – I receive the rest in my heart as my days are full. I love it! thank you so much.. You know, you are so right, nothing compares to the REST He offers. Such wise words and a good reminder for us all. blessings
Sending you positive thoughts. That is so very powerful. In the world today, we forget these things thanks for the reminder. Even when I am off, I still feel the wheel. Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks Patrick apprecate your positive thoughts, and yes, it is hard to get off the wheel even when we are ‘off’ so to speak . You have a wonderful weekend as well.
Hi Debbie! I loved reading your post. It blessed me in many ways and helped me apply Jesus’s principles of ministry in my personal life. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Oh Elizabeth, thank you so much for such encouragement! I am so glad you were blessed by my post, it makes me very happy to hear what it meant to you. Thank you for reading. 🙂
The Lord used your post to convict me that sometimes I’m not sensitive to the other hamsters trying to keep up with me!
Elizabeth, I have been in your place as well, and understand exactly what you are talking about. I have been guilty of not being sensitive at times as well. May the Lord open our eyes and show us when we have the opportunity to be more sensitive to those around us. 🙂