Read parts one, two, three, and four of this blog series! Of course, I’ve shared how being available to God works in the big stuff, like moving a thousand miles or starting a crisis pregnancy center. But even harder than that is being available in the small stuff.
Years ago, a book became popular, titled Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Actually, my advice is just the opposite: To be available to God, you have to be available in the small stuff.
The minutes make up our years. And the tiny decisions make our life’s mission.
But of course, we’d be crazy if we had to focus on every little detail and wonder if it’s God’s plan . . . so you don’t have to.
We need to focus on one things—the next thing.
One writing teacher named Anne Lamott gives this advice to other writers when it comes to how she works best:
“All I have to do is to write down as much as I can see through a one-inch picture frame,” writes Lamott in the book Bird by Bird. “This is all I have to bite off for the time being . . . just what I can see through the one-inch picture frame, just one paragraph describing this woman, in the town where I grew up, the first time we encounter her.”
The same one-inch picture frame can be used, not only for writing, but for our lives. The only thing we need to focus on is the one thing God desires for us to do next.
To be available, you must be available for that one thing. Don’t worry about what’s after that. Just focus on what God’s calling you to do now. Don’t think about the future. Don’t fret about the path ahead. God will take care of it. He’s good at that.
He’s good at directing you now, in this day, exactly where you’re at . . . but you have to be available. You have to pray and ask for wisdom. You have to be open to that gentle stirring in your soul.
Isaiah 30:21 (ESV) says, “And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”
Isn’t that awesome, to have God’s Spirit telling us whether to walk to the right or the left?
Sometimes I imagine what it would have been like to walk with Jesus on earth, to hear his words, to see the joy on his eyes when someone trusted him—to hold his hand as he walked along.
Find out more in next week’s conclusion about what I imagine walking with Jesus was like and recap how to be available to God.
Hey Tricia!
It looks as if the present moments are the real gifts! 🙂 Thanks for sharing… it’s where we find God! I’m enjoying your thoughts! ~ Blessings out sister, Amy Alves
They are, Amy! Thank you for sharing your heart!