I started a new habit in 2022 of listening to the Youversion Bible App Verse of the Day every morning before getting my day started. I really enjoy the variety of speakers from various parts of the world. It helps me remember just how vast the Kingdom of God is in this world.
The speaker’s interpretation hit home for me on one particular day last December. You know how that happens sometimes? You hear or read the Word of God, and you hear God speaking directly to your heart or your circumstance. I don’t know if there’s anything I love more than when that happens in my life. How incredible is it that our God, creator of the Universe, speaks to us individually!
The passage on this particular day was Romans 12:2. The NLT version goes like this; “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good, pleasing, and perfect. “
The speaker was Levi Lusko, and he began his teaching by saying how much the expression “story of my life” bothers him. He offered that whenever he has heard this expression, it is used negatively. For instance, when the bottom of your grocery bag gives out, and you say “story of my life,” as if to say everything in my life always goes wrong, that trouble follows me. I have to admit I had used that saying on occasion, and I believe God was using this teaching to help me change my thinking.
You see, the day right before I heard this teaching, I was talking to my daughter about a challenge she was going through. It was very easy for me to relate to her situation as I had had this type of thing happen to me over and over in my life, particularly in my workplace. In many situations I encountered, I was able to make unique breakthroughs or establish innovative solutions, but I very rarely got the credit or was able to continue the work. My breakthroughs were generally handed over to someone else while I seemingly disappeared into the woodwork. I often felt cheated and that I had contributed to other people’s success but never my own. Of course, I would always take the high road, stay humble, help the person taking over, and watch more of my hard work end in someone else’s success. After talking with my daughter, I felt some kind of stronghold might be over our family: That the story of our lives was about being cheated and taken advantage of by others.
However, on listening to Levi’s teaching, I heard the Holy Spirit shouting NO!! Stop thinking in that negative way! Remember who you are! You are a much-loved daughter of the King. Keep going, keep doing, and keep moving forward using the talents and abilities I have given you. Even if you feel cheated and unappreciated on this side of Heaven, you will receive your reward in eternity. Rest assured that your Heavenly Father knows and sees you. He sees what you do. Stay positive and continue to live each day for His glory and obedience to His word. Don’t get caught up in worldly thinking and how success is measured.
Thank you so much, Lord, for bringing this verse and teaching it to my mind right when I needed it! Thank you for how You know each of us so completely. Help us change our way of thinking from worldly ways of thinking. Help us hear Your Spirit directing and guiding our lives so we can fully use all the talents and abilities you have given us to do Your Will in this world for Your Glory alone. Let the story of my life be about how I trusted You in every circumstance!
