"Capacity" vs. "Sufficiency" 2-25-26

This morning I woke up suddenly and started with my morning prayer before realizing it was only 1:30 am. I am learning that when I get the opportunity to be awake at odd hours, it’s generally an invitation to prayer, confession, and realigning with God’s presence.

As I thought about different people I wanted to pray for, I remembered that I hadn’t answered a text message yesterday from my pastor asking how I was doing. “Fine” or “good” – or worse, “good under the circumstances” wasn’t going to cut it. I needed to stop and think (the dark quiet outside made it easier to concentrate, not having gone to fb, or my to-do list – yet!)

I wanted to answer thoughtfully and honestly. I also wanted to not be long winded – which reminded me of the flag page survey I want to do from the recent “Laugh Your Way…” marriage seminar to find out what communication style Steve and I are so I can know what “countries” we’re coming from!

My recent interrupted foray into several books that stopped when life erupted on multiple fronts in December and January has given me new language to explain some things. Theresa McCloy’s “Do What Matters, Living From Rest Not Rush” showed me that prioritizing and pruning is not just necessary, it’s critical for my “Mary Heart in a Martha World” life goals! The “I Must Manifest” deliverance event I went to Friday night and Saturday helped “clear the decks” of some weight and unnecessary baggage I’ve been carrying. Timely God-sends!

My brother passed away last Wednesday after a long battle with early family trauma, post-war PTSD, and a meningioma that has been stealing his life, pieces at a time, since 2013. Navigating the legal and veteran-related “next steps” for his celebration of life is something I want to do intentionally, with honor and excellence, in collaboration with my brother and sisters. This healing journey has built-in challenges I want to meet well with grace and prayer.

 A snow storm they termed a “Bomb Cyclone” hit Sunday afternoon, shutting down the state for two days, necessitating arduous physical work of snow removal – which at 62 and 69, my husband and I are no longer as resilient for. Two days later we are still cleaning up after 20+ inches of snow dumped on us – and we’re thanking God that we didn’t lose power!

In addition, I am spearheading a regional women’s conference with 7 other speakers from 6 other churches in the area that happens in 2 ½ weeks, I'm trying to “operate out of rest, not rush”, and it's a challenge to stay there with so much going on. The day to day stuff in the life of a married homeowner, with all the above is on top of my previously scheduled semi-annual Forgiven and Set Free post-abortion Bible study that is beginning today. This class will continue every Wednesday at 1 pm till April 29 and is a passion for me and one that again, I want to pour into with good preparation and godly stewardship, not off-the-cuff distraction.

I'm doing well with it all this morning, reminding myself it's not about my "capacity", like many people are referencing lately, but God's sufficiency. There is a distinct difference. Watching Jesus in the Scriptures, He was “doing the works His Father gave Him to do” and encouraging us to follow His way of being and doing. Abiding in Him is a daily aim that requires vigilance with so many draws on my attention... but I'm realizing the dichotomy there between the call to vigilance in 1 Peter 5:8 while resting in Him in Psalm 62 is similar to telling a pregnant woman in labor to relax! I was literally told to “concentrate on staying relaxed”! I had no idea that concentrating and relaxing could co-exist until then! But, as I discovered, with measured breathing and “fixing my eyes” on a specific spot, it’s more than possible, it is a blessed reality! God is VERY aware of this fact, as He told us to “fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2)

When I shared that at Prayer Dock this morning, Pastor Chris paired this revelation of trading human “capacity” for divine “sufficiency” with replacing “residing” in this world with “abiding” in the kingdom. BOOM!

I’m still learning how this becomes a spiritual default setting. Right now, it still needs to be

something I strive to practice intentionally until it becomes second nature (which I suppose is probably the point!) For now, when I find myself "out", I want to refocus "in" more often than not and keep looking to find that sweet spot under the shelter of His wings...Abba Father, from our spoken prayers to Your granted empowerment!