{Part 3} Make room.

{This isn't actually a real SERIES, although it's certainly turning into one as my life continues from the days before and I share my thoughts about where I'm at in life right now.  If you missed my previous posts, Part 1 and Part 2 about the idols in my life, please go back and read those first for better understanding.}

What's the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning?

What's the first thing I turn to when I'm scared about something?

What's the first thing I go to when something exciting happens?

What's the last thing I go to at the end of the day?

During my free afternoon?

While I'm waiting at an appointment?

Facebook.  Facebook. Facebook. Facebook. Facebook. Facebook.

My idol {one of many} is my group of friends inside the computer. They make me feel loved, they make me feel cared for, they make me feel like I have a purpose when I can pray for and encourage them.

But the truth is, my identity is not in them.

My purpose is not in them. Even if God has gifted me in certain areas, that's still not my PURPOSE.  My children. They can be an idol too.  My husband. My house. My fitness. Myself. I can pour so much into them that I'm not reserving minutes in the day for God alone.

God alone.

Knowing and loving HIM, because I. am. His.  That is my identity.

So I'm trying to simplify my life, my time, my thoughts, my energy, so I can MAKE ROOM for God.

This is a passage that I've really been treasuring this week:

1 Peter 2:9-12

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, thought hey accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

Right now I do not have the self-control to simply limit my minutes at the computer, like I wanted to. So starting next Monday I will go off of Facebook for an entire week, and evaluate again how that has impacted my relationship with God.

Spending time with HIM when I wake up in the morning.

Praying to HIM when I'm scared.

Thanking HIM for the exciting moments.

Praising HIM at the end of my day

and spending time with HIM in all moments of my afternoons.

What a difference it can make if allow my heart to truly remain steadfast in Him.