So can I get a window seat
don’t want nobody next to me
I just want a ticket outta town
a look around
and a safe touch down
Can I get a window seat
don’t want nobody next to me
I just want a chance to fly
a chance to cry
and a long bye bye..

Are you in that window seat, looking out so that you can hide your pain from others? Are you looking out of that window for reassurance that there is a better life for you somewhere out there? I have been in that seat plenty of times. There was activity all around me but I kept my face to the window so that no one would see my tears. I wished for a different life and a different me. I wanted to escape the life I had created for myself.

There was a young man in the Bible named Eutychus who secured himself a window seat as Paul preached one Sunday evening. I imagine Eutychus sitting off to himself in that window pondering Paul’s words and wondering if he could really have the life that Paul said he could have. As Paul’s message carried the congregation well past midnight, I think Eutychus must have been deep in thought or began daydreaming because he drifted off to sleep and fell from the window, three stories to his death.

When Eutychus fell, you can imagine that everyone was alarmed, but Paul ran down, threw himself on the young man’s body and declared, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” Acts 20:10 (NKJV) The congregation celebrated and rejoiced that the young man was alive, and Eutychus received an opportunity to live.

Paul said, “his life is in him.“  You may be searching for something to change or complete your life, but the Spirit of the Lord is saying to you right now, “Your life is in you.” You can change the location, the people and the circumstances, but you will still have the life that is within you.You will still have the choices that you make that render your relationships with people dysfunctional and your circumstances unbearable. You cannot change your location and thereby create a different life. Your life is in you, therefore you take that life with you everywhere that you go.

The question is, will you transform the life that is in you? You can be the person you desire to be and live the life you desire to live by taking actions that are in line with what you want. You can be who God created you to be. You do not have to sabotage yourself with sinful behavior and destructive thought patterns. You do not have to try to escape.

Simply be. If you want to be a writer, then write. If you want to be honest, then start telling the truth. If you want to be faithful then be faithful. Don’t do the things that are inconsistent with who you want to be. For example, if you want to be physically fit, don’t lay around on the couch watching TV all day every day.

Build yourself up in the life that you want to live. Read about it, talk about it, be about it, be around others who want the same things for themselves.

Don’t lose your life by pondering it away in that window seat. Get up and live!

Acts 20:7-12 (New International Version)
Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas
⁷On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. ⁸There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. ⁹Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. ¹⁰Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” ¹¹Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. ¹²The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

The year 2010 has come to represent a year of completion for me. I have successfully navigated through the testing phase, and matured to the point where I am being promoted to the next level in several areas. I completed my MBA studies, completed my Landmark Forum In Action Seminar and will complete my life as a single woman this summer. I couldn’t be more pleased with the way my life is going right now nor with the network that I have been plugged into.

I acknowledge many people for their input in all that is going right in my life. My loving family, my wonderful fiancee, my children – natural and spiritual, my amazing friends, awesome co-workers, inspiring people that I have shared classrooms and seminars with, my Pastors, teachers, mentors, the people who prayed for me and held me up during times in my life when things were not going well, all the new people I have met who offer encouragement and support, the people who think they have done me wrong but have actually given me valuable lessons.

This may be contrary to popular belief, but the world is full of beautiful people who have much love and support to share with others. I’m grateful to be on the receiving as well as the giving end!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New King James Version)
¹ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Now He is directing me to focus on the vision that He originally gave me. At first I felt like I was being punished or put in timeout. I didn’t really want to put some of those things aside. However, I also see how focusing my energy in those areas was taking away from what He had given me specifically to do.

Lord, thank You for the seasons of training and preparation that You bring us to so that we will be ready when Your plan unfolds. Thank You for Your hand that both guides and provides every step along the way. I trust that every word You have spoken, You shall bring it to pass. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New King James Version)
¹ Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Even as my Pastor was encouraging us to move forward in obedience today, I thought about some areas where I had been dragging my feet. I knew what I needed to do but I kept putting it off as if things would change and God would change His mind. Really at the base of my reluctance to obey was fear. I was afraid of what I might lose or what certain people would think if I followed through.

It’s not like I don’t recognize the season that I am in. This is the season where God peels away the things that cannot come with me to the next season. If I don’t give up these things it will delay my entrance into the next thing He has for me. Every other time I trusted God and did what He said, the results were miraculous. So why is it still so difficult to trust at times?

From what I have observed, we as humans usually start from a foundation of lack. This is a behavior that many of us must unlearn. When things change we wonder if there will be enough resources or if we will be good enough to adapt. When God requires a sacrifice, we worry there won’t be enough left over us. Somehow we trust our own logic rather than the Kingdom principles that have been in effect from before the beginning of time.

What I have also observed is that there is no plan I could work that will produce better results than the plan that God has for me. In other words, when I do things His way, I find myself living the life that I truly want. When my obedience to His way is delayed, I find myself frustrated, aggravated, discouraged and ashamed.

I make this decision often, but I made it again today: I will move forward to the next level. The comfort zone is not good enough for me. I am living my life to make a difference – for me, my family and anyone else who wants it. This kind of life requires total trust in the Lord and submission to His Will. Are you in?

Deuteronomy 9:22-24 (New International Version)
²² You also made the LORD angry at Taberah, at Massah and at Kibroth Hattaavah.

²³ And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh Barnea, he said, “Go up and take possession of the land I have given you.” But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You did not trust him or obey him. ²⁴ You have been rebellious against the LORD ever since I have known you.

2 Corinthians 5:16-19 (New King James Version)
¹⁶ Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

No matter how simply Jesus explained what God was doing, there were some who would just never comprehend. To this day, there are some who will not receive what God has for them. Two people can be presented with the gift of eternal life but only one will perceive that it is a gift and accept it.

People scorned what Jesus had to say because they felt as if they knew Him. They said things like “Oh, isn’t that Mary’s son, the carpenter? I knew that boy since before he could talk – how could He be the Messiah?’

Some of those people were so busy being skeptical that they completely missed the blessing of who He was or the message that God the Father was sending through Him. They prayed for a Messiah but refused Him when He arrived because He wasn’t packaged the way they thought He should be.

Fast forward to right now, this second. How many times do we pray the same prayer and wonder when God will answer? How often have we come to the end of a situation and realized that God was speaking to us and pointing out the way the whole time?

The red flags that we ignored – God. The friend who warned us six months before it happened – God. The doors that kept closing and we wondered why until a better way was revealed – God. The times where everywhere we turned we kept hearing the same thing – God!

Be encouraged today – the Lord really does hear you when you pray. He also answers the burning questions that we have – but not always in ways that we expect. When you go before Him be confident knowing that He hears you and He will answer. Keep your eyes and ears open for Him. He may respond to you in a dream, in the words of a friend or acquaintance, a book or an article or any number of ways. If you miss His still small voice, don’t worry, His voice will continue to echo. If you have ears to hear Him, you will hear Him.

If your heart is willing to receive what He has to say, you will hear Him. You may not hear what you want or expect, but He will never steer you wrong.

Matthew 13:15-17 (New International Version)

¹⁵ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.

¹⁶But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

I can barely type the words without breaking down. As tears are streaming down my face I think about the pain that I have chosen in my life. The things I did, fully aware of what the consequences might be, yet I decided to become sin in those moments.

I am reminded that Jesus, You didn’t die for me so that I could be complacent with my life. You didn’t become sin so that over 2000 years later I can choose to wallow in it and pick up all the illness, distress and misery that comes along the lust of the flesh. You didn’t die so that I could walk this life as if I wasn’t worthy of Your Love.

On my own I am not worthy, but You purchased my life with Your precious Blood. You redeemed me and brought me into Your Kingdom as Your child, not a slave. I would gladly be a slave for one so Loving, so Mighty, so Perfect As You. Yet you died so that I might be reconciled to You as your daughter. Not only did You die but You rose again with all power, allowing me to live victoriously in Your Name.

So many have given their lives for certain causes or simply departed when their life was over. So many laid down their lives for whatever reason, but Only You got up with the purpose of redeeming man.

You didn’t have to do it, but You did. You didn’t give up Your Life so that we could walk this earth without power, purpose or praise. Today I am returning to the full realization of who I am for You. I am someone that You loved enough to suffer through it all, the worst of the worse, the most terrible of fates. You saw all the horrible things that existed in this world and You chose to take all that upon Yourself so that I would not have to suffer. For this You are worthy of everything I have to give and more.

With all that I am, I worship You and I am fully Yours.

Luke 23:44-46 (New International Version)

Jesus’ Death

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

It is amazing the lengths we go to as people to hide who we really are, what we really feel and what we really think. We do these things under the guise of protecting ourselves when all we are doing is creating more pain.

Hiding cuts us off from full relationship with God and the people in our lives. Think about how it feels when something you love is withheld from you, or when you really want to be with someone and it is just not possible. What if someone you love cut you short whenever you tried to get close to them? After awhile you may begin to feel rejected and wonder why you make yourself available.

Imagine that this is what you are doing to the people you love. Not only are you shutting them out, you are cutting yourself off from experiencing the fullness of being loved by others. You have rendered yourself unlovable and you reject the world before it can reject you.

When will you understand that you are whole and perfect, created in the image of God? You are fearfully and wonderfully made. There is no need to hide or withdraw. Your family needs you, your loved ones need you and God needs you to be salt and light in this earth.

Talk to the Lord about your fears. Stop running from destiny and live free.

Matthew 5:13-15 (New King James Version)

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Dear Lord,

I come before you now with a broken spirit and a contrite heart, seeking your forgiveness. There are moments when I allow myself to be overcome by my circumstances and I seek comfort outside of what You have to give me. At those times I allow myself to be deceived into thinking that my soul would find rest, that my mind would be at ease, that my flesh would be satisfied if I return to what “I know” for a quick fix. Of course that is not the case.

There is no satisfaction, fulfillment or peace outside of you. There is not a person on this earth who could fill your shoes nor a perfect plan that exists outside of Your plan.

So, here I am Lord, wondering when I will learn this lesson for good. When will I simply trust that all I need is You? The usual pretenses will do me no good. I could pretend that I have it all together, that I am never tempted, angry or anxious…but the truth is Lord, I still need to submit every area to You.

Cleanse me Lord, wash me…make me new again. Fill me with Your Love and Your Peace. Deliver me from evil, deliver me from myself, use me for Your Glory.

I love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Psalm 19 (New International Version)

¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

² Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

³ There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard. ^[a]

⁴ Their voice ^[b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

⁵ which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

¹¹ By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

How many of us are feeling light and easy on a Monday morning?

Do you find yourself in any of those categories? Are you in a relationship right now that is a constant drain on your time, energy and finances without adding anything valuable back into your life? Do you say yes to projects because you don’t know how to say no and then find yourself wishing you never signed up?

If you find yourself in a state of being perpetually tired and stressed, ask the Lord to reveal why you are experiencing that. Ask Him how you should address those areas. He will show you how to prioritize the activities and release the baggage you have if you follow His instructions.

To be stressed is to not trust God. Trust Him with every detail of your life. You have seen how the vision for your life is coming to fruition. Why would God leave you hanging now? Give all that doubt and negativity to Him and exchange it for joy and peace of mind instead.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)

28″Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Are there things that you need in order to shape your life into what you want it to be? Do you have a list of items that are simply lacking or need to be replaced? Do you find yourself looking at others who seem to have all those things that are missing in your life and wonder when it will be your turn to receive?

If you are wishing and waiting for your turn to receive all these things that are “missing”, then I would like to remind you of the universal law of sowing and reaping.

Too often we get into the mindset of “lack” and begin to hoard whatever it is that we do have in order to preserve ourselves. We become stingy with everything out of fear that there will not be enough. Other people’s problems have nothing to do with us, we say we have enough to worry about. We say we cannot give to help another nation when we are starving ourselves.

While that perspective may seem perfectly logical, it simply does not work. The more one looks out for self, the more isolated you become. The more isolated you become, the list of things you lack begin to grow. When you cannot give of yourself, you cut yourself off from love, nurturing, support and countless other resources. When you feel you are entitled to receive help because of your circumstances yet are unwilling to help others, eventually your well will run dry. You will deplete your resources and be in an even worse state.

You may say, “I have nothing to give.” Too often we equate giving with finances. Every person has something to give. You can lend your time to help another person or people in need. You can donate your services when you have special talents and abilities. You can be a friend to someone who needs support. As you do this, you will become a bigger person as the seeds of love are watered in your heart.

Not only will you become bigger, you will become connected with likeminded people who want to help. Suddenly the things you need are being placed in your hands. The support you wished for is now readily available. With the help of others you have the strength to accomplish things you never dreamed of.

If you are in need, give something of value away. Test this principle in your life and see how it can change everything.

Mark 4:24-25 (The Message)

“Listen carefully to what I am saying—and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”

Luke 6:38 (New International Version)
^“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”