Sometimes things happen and I find myself pondering the cause and effect of the situation. What did I do to cause the situation that resulted in the effect? Sometimes it is obvious, while other times it seems things just happen.
Now of course as Christians, we know that God handles all the details. He knows the cause and effect, the complete reason we find ourselves in situations, self-inflicted or completely unexpected.
Sowing and Reaping
Cause and effect is referred to in the Bible as sowing and reaping. We reap (receive) what we sow (actions, words, attitudes, etc). God is a just God and He is also merciful. He lovingly cares for us and helps us through hard times and blesses us with lovely times! We have a duty to give our best and to do our work as unto Him in all areas. Everything from our life choices to our thoughts are to be holy and set apart, not common or worldly.
When things happen that we can’t quite put our finger on the cause, it is important to pay attention. God is magical about getting our attention when we really seek Him. He will use our circumstances to guide us to where He needs us. We just have to be alert and pay attention so we can follow His lead!
Everything in life happens for a purpose, to ideally draw us closer to God. Our life efforts should revolve around determining better ways to serve Him. The phenomenon is that we can serve God in a myriad of ways! As long as we honor His word and keep His commandments, our work has the opportunity to reflect Him in all ways.
When we surrender our life, work, hobbies, friends, attitudes, thoughts, etc, to Him, we can be sure that we are sowing what pleases Him. And we can be sure that we will reap the benefits if we don’t grow weary and give up!
Actions and Consequences
Cause and effect mirrors the training of actions and consequences. The actions we take have consequences. I think part of growing up is realizing this. Often when less than desirable consequences result, I immediately ponder my actions. Did my actions and efforts honor God and measure up to my understanding of what He requires of me?
If the answer is an honest yes, consider what He might be telling you through these circumstances. Does He need you to switch your focus to something new for Him? Is the season for what you’ve been doing shifting and it’s time to consider something new? Or perhaps none of the above, He just wants your attention. This is your reminder to slow down and get alone with God.
Remember He never does anything to trick or manipulate His people. But He also doesn’t send a text message to get your attention either. So I think it makes sense that He would use something real and relevant to call to us, to let us know we need to shift gears and focus on Him.
So instead of kicking the inconveniences or interruptions of life, instead look up and make yourself available to Him. Definitely evaluate the actions and consequences of the situation, check your heart and motivation and always aim higher. But at the end of the day, turn to Him. Enter into His presence and make yourself available to where He leads.
Cause and Effect
So many say change is hard – and I’ve been there myself, don’t get me wrong. But I’ve recently discovered that the shifting gears leading to said change is what challenges me. If I know change is coming, I just want to jump in and find a new normal. The transition itself – the waiting, the praying, the seeking, the moving parts, all the questions – that’s the hard part for me.
I’ve felt since early this year that change was in the air, I just didn’t know what. And since then I’ve been dealing with a few challenges that I keep hoping – and even thinking – are resolved only to have them become a challenge all over again.
One of these challenges is physical and impacts my work and walking. A muscle seizes up and even though I keep thinking I’ve finally discovered why and can overcome it, it happens again. Now I’m sure I’m getting better and I’m determined this isn’t forever but just a growing pain so to speak. And yet, I find myself pondering the cause and effect. As I work on growing patience and endurance, I use the muscle seizure as a reminder to pray for others.
And I love this reminder to pray for others! It occurred to me the other night as my muscle seized up in the middle of the night. Why don’t I use this time to really think of conversations I’ve had with others and pray specifically for them. It’s quiet in the house and other than my leg being sore, I have no distractions. So I sit there and I do my best to pray exhaustively for every person and situation I can think of. I ask God to remind me of any that may have slipped my mind.
The hardest part of this muscle seizure is understanding if God is using it to lead me to sell a business so I’m not on my feet as much or to visit a specialist to get yet another perspective on what’s going on. God is the last one I want to ignore or not listen to. And yet, as I question all this, I remind myself that He is magical in getting me to take the action He needs me to. So I pray that I am attentive to His lead and then I show up each day in the way I know best how to. I am confident that as long as I seek Him with my whole heart He will lead me where He needs me. And this is the best example of cause and effect that I can present to you – as we seek He leads!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Keep reading: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2024/08/07/his-blessings-often-come-disguised/