Are You Asleep Behind the Wheel
As a driver you’re in control of the vehicle, how it turns and glides on the paved road, cautious and careful of other drivers, while focused on your destination, as one wrong move can have dire consequences.
It’s the same with life. You make careful and cautious decisions to direct the life you want to live. However, the outcome may differ from what you planned. You may experience deep hills and valleys and ask—why is life so hard, I need a break, when will this unhappiness end, or on the flipside, my life is wonderful—do I deserve it? What if something happens that destroys the immense happiness I’m experiencing.
Life is a mix of joy and hardship. However, hardships are necessary to build compassion.
I recall a period of seven years where despite challenges, my life was wonderful. I was blessed with the perfect job, developed close friendships, socialized, and was experiencing a season of joy. Then one day, I realized my level of compassion was fading. I remember saying these words— “I’m losing compassion for others.” Although I wasn’t walking with the Lord at the time, He heard my thoughts. Shortly after this realization the deep hills and valleys occurred. I lost my dream job, my marriage became more challenging, friends moved, and I found myself in a desert seeking remedies to lift my spirits—sugary foods, and new age.
The sugar gave me a quick jolt of happiness but then it’d fade. New age brought periodic joy, but was superficial where I believed that only me, myself and I could manifest the joy I desired. During this time, I periodically had dreams of driving up steep hills or over rocky terrain, as I’d lost direction.
However, these experiences changed my heart of stone to a heart of flesh. It allowed me to be compassionate with others who were experiencing hardship. A compassion that was genuine as I knew how they felt.
Without a compassionate heart, you become insensitive, selfish, and driven by your own desires. You may be in the driver’s seat for the direction and purpose for your life, but who are you serving?
Jesus states in Matthew 5:13:
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
If you live life to serve yourself you lose your saltiness. You become empty, seeking ways to fulfill the hole. A hole you can’t explain. You may indulge in food, buying things you don’t need, spend evenings socializing, or travel to fill the need. Yet the feeling of emptiness returns. Like a tug of war, you never feel completely satisfied. You steer away from obstacles to protect your heart, as the last thing you want is pain. Who does? No one wants their heart broken. To shed tears. To be overwhelmed with sadness. However, the tides of life are tumultuous. It’s how you change from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh so the emptiness can be filled with compassion.
It’s waking up to the condition of your heart. To let go of the steering wheel and allow events to unfold as God planned, as He has a purpose for you.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God’s plans are much different than what you plan for your life. However, His plans don’t leave you feeling empty, or a heart with no compassion. He moves you in a direction to be cognizant of others, as life isn’t about you. It’s about being there for the person who has lost direction, to perform acts of kindness without seeking recognition, to put your own desires and ambitions aside to create harmony and balance with others. Mostly, it’s being a servant to God, who will use you in ways you’d never imagine.
Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my innermost parts. You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to you, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made.
Imagine waking up with a heart of gratitude, joy, and delight for the life God gave you. No matter your situation.
To live each day with...
Peace.
Worship.
Hope.
Delight.
To act with a heart of joy as you know events are designed for a purpose—to live a life of compassion.
People depend on others for support when they drive into the ditch and get stuck. They depend on your heart of compassion to relate to their needs, to utter words of encouragement with eyes genuine and understanding.
They seek eyes that...
Shine in the darkness.
Glow with compassion.
Radiate with love.
The eyes of the Lord.
Eyes that reveal kindness, mercy, and empathy for your well-being.
Eyes that say, “I’ll do anything to make you whole.”
God knows you can’t perform these acts on your own. It’s the reason He sent His one and only Son, to reveal His agenda—to offer an open door where your sins will be forgiven.
He died so you could be saved, counselled and taught. His words reveal the way, the truth and the life. Jesus is the key to unlock your heart. It’s through Him and by Him you’re changed.
Your heart is precious and belongs to you. You are the guardian, protector, and chief executive that decides how to act and what to say. However, when you open the key to your heart, give it to the Lord, He will bless you with His peace.
To join Him is to receive Him, and in receiving Him, He will refurbish your heart, one whisper at a time, as God is patient. He knows you’ll resist as letting go of the world, practiced behaviours, takes time.
However, ...
His way is gentle.
He’ll never leave your side.
He’ll bless you with hope and a future.
I like to think of it as patching a quilt. The design is laid out with each section meticulously placed. Crafted one stitch at a time with patience and joy, the story comes alive. This is God’s story. He’ll stitch you one step at a time, at a pace you can grasp, and if you stray, He’ll gently guide you to the path He planned for you. In time, you’ll notice changes in your heart. When you see the eyes of someone hurting, you immediately pray for them. You won’t hesitate to offer assistance for someone in need. You smile more often. People begin to notice the change in your demeanor, commenting on how you glow, or they have a desire to spend time with you.
You become the link to the Lord. Allowing Jesus to be the driver, and yourself the passenger, ready and willing to do what He asks.
It may seem like a lot; however, it’s simple. Just say...
Jesus take hold of the wheel, wake me up, and heal my heart.
He won’t hesitate to come to you.
________________
One of the best ways to communicate with the Lord is through prayer.
Prayer is an important part of growing your relationship in Christ Jesus.
To dedicate time to be with God in prayer is an invitation He’ll never deny.
I created a Prayer Journal titled, “I Am Always With You,” (Matthew 28:29) to guide you in building this connection with the Lord.
The journal is in a digital format where you can print numerous copies of each page.
Prayer is powerful, intimate, and personal. It’s communicating and expressing with heart felt passion, to a God who sacrificed everything and desires to hear your words and be in your presence.
The Prayer Journal is available in my ETSY Store, at Archway Designs by CFC Studios.
Grab a copy today.
God Bless,
Hi, I’m Cathy.
A creative professional passionately driven to pointing people away from new age indoctrination to find redemption in Jesus Christ and encouraging others in their walk with the Lord.
I’m a mixed blend, excited to share all I offer...
Blog-Twisted Roots
Do you find yourself asking questions about new age, whether the practices and beliefs are leading your soul to redemption?
As a reformed new ager, I was saturated in the belief I could co-create with the universe and manifest a life of abundance. But I was deceived. This blog is to point you to the truth of God’s words and how He perceives the new age indoctrination. It also highlights other areas to inspire and encourage Christians in their walk of faith.
Prayer Journals
To help you in your journey, I created Prayer Journals, to build a closer bond with Christ Jesus.
As you grow in your faith, it’s important to dedicate time to be with God in prayer, a quiet space to meet with Him, and invite Him into your daily thoughts. In doing so, you will experience His peace and presence in every aspect of your life.
Fine Art Photography
I always dreamed of being a professional photographer when I grew up. It was a journey to reach this goal. When the opportunity presented itself, I knew it was time to fulfill my dream.
I owned a home-based studio for over a decade but have been shooting images for two decades. Now, semi-retired, I have a collection of my most cherished images of landscape or fine art available for wall décor.
