—Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (28 January, "How Could Someone So Persecute Jesus!," emphasis mine)
Went to bed late and woke up early. The body and mind don't like to do as they're told, or to do what's best for them. Sometimes I fight it, but this morning I'm going with it— been awhile since I enjoyed my morning tea, and the day ahead might be boosted with an early start.
Learning, albeit slowly, to turn more and more over to Him. Why I insist on giving my life to Him piecemeal is nothing more than absurd faithlessness, yet I say this with a good spirit, not to be inordinately condemning of myself. Because I am, in fact, not condemned— "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). That sure makes it easier to get up in the morning.
Rather than studying a psalm for Community Group last night, we each made a coat-of-arms to get to know one another better. The six sections of the shield were:
- an animal that represents you (or is a favorite)
- a hobby or pasttime
- what you bring to relationships/CG
- what you want or need from relationships/CG
- a time when God came through for you
- a hope you have of God
Today is staff meeting, office work (which is always hard for me to concentrate on after staff), coffee with Micah, and pizza and television night with Connor and perhaps Sara. Full days of late; far more rich than overwhelming or burdensome. It is a good season in so many ways.