I woke during the night and realized I was running through a list of things I need to do at work. That’s how I realize I’m feeling stressed. When I got up this morning I knew I needed the Lord to help me—I needed an attitude adjustment. I needed a Holy Spirit intervention. I needed my thoughts overhauled. So as I began my workout for the day I called out to Him. He faithfully began His work in me, reminding me that I needed to allow Him to be my Sustenance. Then as I opened my Bible this verse was the first one I saw, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most,” (Heb. 4:16). What an invitation!
Has my to-do list changed? Not at all. Will we still be short-handed at work? Absolutely. What has changed? That I am leaning on Him in my weakness, knowing I can’t do it on my own—allowing Him to give me the grace (the ability to do in His strength what I cannot do on my own) to succeed. I continually remind myself (and Him) that I represent Him in my workplace and want to do well so He will be held in high honor.
Yesterday, I went down to a park I like to visit on my lunch. Just as I sat down a man came strolling by and stopped to chat. And chat. And chat. Then he mentioned my name tag (I’d neglected to take it off when I left work) and I thought, “Oh great, now I’m representing the bank while I try to extricate myself from this conversation so I can enjoy my lunch in peace.” At that moment I realized the more important (invisible) name tag I wear and asked God if there was something I had that this man needed. Maybe it was just a few moments of my attention. Maybe it was kindness. Maybe it was understanding—after all, I’ve gone to work every day during this pandemic and many have been shut up in their homes.
Whatever comes my way today I am ready. I’ve gone straight to the Source and there found what I need to make it through, not limping mind you, but living in the full abundance that He enables.
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