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Position Yourself


About a year ago, I had the opportunity to go on a Caribbean cruise with a group of Christian writers, speakers and singers. I was drawn to this trip because I knew some of the people that would be teaching the writing classes and I had never been on a cruise before. As it turned out, I was intrigued with one of the speakers and asked to meet with her one day for breakfast. I shared with her that I felt like I was spinning my wheels with my writing, speaking and a few other areas of my life. She had some excellent insight and passed forward to me what someone had shared with her. She told me to “get myself in position.” I remember taking a deep breath and thinking what a profound statement that was. After the trip, I began taking a more serious look at my priorities and why I had not achieved all the goals that I had set. It was clear to me that I had not spent enough time focusing on areas that I wanted to improve or goals that I wanted to achieve.

      Photography by Ann Wayne

It’s amazing how God speaks through people, circumstances and most clearly through His word. In a recent sermon, the senior pastor at my church stated that “we must position ourselves” to get results and experience growth. He shared the scripture, 2nd Chronicles 20:17 (NIV). “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you.” This was another confirmation that I needed to “position myself” in certain areas of my life to get results. So exactly what does that look like?

Well, there were three areas that I desired improvement in. First, spending more time studying the Word. I’m not the robotic Christian that has the same schedule every day, so I have had to find some creative ways to study and spend time with God. There are a few favorite places at my house where God and I have some great conversations. My sun room hosts a lot of prayer and sets the mood for reading while my black lab lounges beside me. The only problem with this scene is that sometimes she lays her head on my Bible or laptop. Late at night, I enjoy sitting on my bed by the fireplace propped up with lots of pillows, reading until I fall asleep. And when the weather is warm, my deck at the back of the house is a haven early in the morning. The birds even provide a free serenade while I read and study.

Another area to improve on is my writing and speaking. I can’t seem to set aside the same time each day to write. So many obstacles bump the writing to the back burner. No wonder the book that I have started is still in the computer instead of on a bookshelf. I have found though, through my writing; that I am able to study the Word almost as much as if I just sit down and read. It may be first thing in the morning, late at night, or sitting in a coffee shop in the middle of the day. The Word comes to life for me in the most unusual circumstances. Some of my best writing is cultivated by simply observing people in public places. So again, I’m not the cookie cutter writer, sitting at a desk all day. You may even find me out at the pond sitting on the end of the pier with my laptop. The “chorus of the bullfrogs” may set the tone for the next masterpiece. As for speaking; the doors just haven’t opened up yet. But I know they will. I have to get out of the way of me! I’m trying to psyche myself up to step out of my box and onto the stage.

And finally, an area that I have prayed about setting goals is finding a husband. Now you may not agree with me on this, and that is OK. First of all, let me state that I don’t chase men. But I know that the Word tells us in Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds’ and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” And also in Psalm 37:4, David tells us to “delight ourselves in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our heart.” How much simpler can it get? I believe a God-centered marriage can be great. I desire that! So now you’re wondering…how is she going to find a husband? I have “put myself into position.” I have asked friends to pray with me. I am open to meeting new male friends through Bible study groups, Christian online groups and through close friends who are my accountability partners. I don’t think I am supposed to sit still and wait for one to fall out of the sky!

As you look at the goals you are trying to achieve, are you “in position” to answer God’s call on your life. Are there hindrances that are keeping you from running the marathon that He has set before you? Try "positioning" yourself; first for spiritual growth and then for prioritizing the others goals that you believe God is calling you to accomplish.

Blessings,
Ann

7 comments:

  1. I think getting "in position" is a great thing to concentrate on. I am learning that lesson, too. Allowing God to fight our fights...and praising Him in the midst of the battle. :)

    Good post. keep it up!

    peace,
    Donna

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  2. Dear Ann,
    Thanks for sharing this article. It was fun to get to know you a little better in these areas. I will be praying for a husband for you too!! Blessings,
    Gail

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  3. HI, Ann-

    This is timely for me...Except I can't say there are always outside obstacles blocking my creativity and desires...Most of it is inside- well, at least half of it. With these snow days you think I would have reveled in the opportunity to play with clay, paint, collage...whatever. Hardly did any of it. Its an area of defeat I don't like to be in but can't seems to stir up the gumption to get free of. I know its OK to have dry spells but because of fear?? I think not! Who knows how God is positioning me....But, since I have a new little soul to care for, it hits me even deeper when I struggle...How can I teach him if I can't teach myself? Well, I am in the position to learn...Just have to find the right ears to hear my Teacher.

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  4. Great post, Ann. All of us struggle with the same issues, don't we? We're just like Paul: "Oh, I don't know why I do the things I do! I don't do what I know I should do, and I do things I don't want to do!" (My paraphrase)
    I pray God blesses you with the desires of your heart!
    Vonda

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  5. Hi Ann,
    Thanks for the good food for thought. I think there are three ways we position ourselves. It's what WE do, what we allow GOD to do and by doing nothing! The best way is to position ourselves where God is positioning us. (It sounds like you are doing a good job at that.) He sets up things for us in our lives and sometimes we sabotage that by our impatience or not responding to HIS positioning. And sometimes we can mis-position ourselves by assuming we know what God's will is for us when all along it's our own will we superimpose on God's. Henry Blackaby wrote in his book on "Experiencing God" That God speaks to us thru the Bible, prayer, circumstances and the church. He says when they are all in agreement then we can know what God is saying to us. But we need to be careful, as I have come to learn, that even then we can "read into" them our own will.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Dave

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  6. Thank you, Ann, for leaving a comment on Vonda's blog. I'll be praying for the Lord to send that JUST RIGHT, godly man into your life.

    Blessings,
    Jean Hall

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  7. Just like the ship, we have to set the course and "position ourselves" for whatever wonderful adventure God has in store. Lois

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1 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God"