In life, there are times when we just want to fit in. Maybe it's in a group of people, at work, school, church or somewhere else. Just being a part of something is a good feeling. Our emotions can get carried away from us as we hear of a party and you are not invited. A gathering of people and you were left out is hard. It's time to restart your mind and maybe you just wasn't suppose to be a part of that one event. This can happen to anyone and I've been there before.
God connects our lives to certain people for a reason. He continues to say that his thoughts are not your thoughts. Turning our thoughts to God is so important.
Isaiah 55:8-9 New International Version (NIV)
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
FITTING IN ~
I just have times of wanting to fit in. I had someone tell me, but you were meant to study and teach. What does that have to do with fitting or wanting to be a part of something? Each of us are different and our desires of life are different. Mine is one of connecting and I like helping others.
We were created in life to be different and set apart. God's plan begins to unfold and we learn the power of fitting in. There will be things in life that we don't need to fit into. I personally had times of crying because I wasn't invited to something or didn't fit into a group of people. Asking God why and never really got an answer. Maybe God was sparing me temptation on things or guarding my heart from something. I don't know that answer, but I have learned to trust God in all things.
Life changes and we learn new normals. We gain friendships and loose people in our lives. Over time, life does change. Let us keep in mind that God's plan is for us to continue to grow in him and his ways. To lean not to our own reasoning on things, but to God's reason. Maybe we were not suppose to fit into somethings in life, but to stand out. God will use our past, our present and even our future to help someone. Your story is important and communication is important too. As you pray, pray for friendships given by God and connections in life. Those are the ones that stay forever in our hearts.
Maybe people don't understand my decisions on somethings, but God does. I want to lead by his spirit and be guided by his word (Bible). It's time to dream big and to pray more. It's time to reach out through the pain of yesterdays and see hope in this day. A new day brings new hope and choices.
There is a TV show called, "What Would You Do". A show that goes into places and sets people up to see what they will do. It takes that one person who stands up for what is right and to speak up. A camera is on them the complete time. Some people stay silent, but that one person who speaks up matters. Then a host comes in and ask that one person why they spoke up. There answer is this: it is the right thing to do. This is a clear example of what you shouldn't try to fit into a group, but to do the right thing. I love this show and it teaches us the importance of speaking up.
WHY FIT IN ~ WHEN YOU WERE MEANT TO STAND OUT
I also know that there are times in life when we do need to press into a group. I remember a time in life when I would go to church a little late and leave a little early. This help me not to talk to people. I wanted to go to hear the message but not connect with people. It sounds kind of strange right now, but it was true. There was a greeter at the door and that would be the only person who connected with me. Until one day, I knew if I wanted friends there, I needed to reach out. So I began slowly and new people came into my life. One person who began this at our church was DJ (A greeter). One person who is Ana and her family. We would connected and now 15 years later, we are still connected. Our friendship has changed, but we are still connected.
I can see the importance of connecting with others and sharing life. There was a season where I went through a very hard time of forgiving myself and others. God is a big God and he restored my life. Little by little I grew into a stronger person and totally saw myself the way he does in life. I would highly recommend connecting in a great church and begin friendships. Guard your heart as you begin change and guard your heart even if you are in the most amazing place in life right now.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
FITTING IN ~
You already fit in to a much larger plan from God.
My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie