Flexibility

I want to speak about the issue of flexibility.

We live in a time when everything is rushed. We have our daily chores and a list of things to be done. There does not seem to be enough time in the Day to get everything done and still have room for “me time.”

Ephesians 5:15-17 tells us to be careful how you live, do not be unwise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil. Understand what the Lord's will is.”  In Proverbs 16:19 it reads that a man's heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directed his steps.

Sometimes, we never consider that the Lord may have a better way of doing and accomplishing our daily tasks. One day, the Holy Spirit said to stop trying to work harder and work smarter. The things we work the hardest to do are the things that can be done differently, which will cause us less stress, anxiety, and energy. 

Enquire of the Lord, be flexible, and be willing to come out of our rigid way of doing things and allow the Holy Spirit the teacher, to show us a better way. His way will be more pliable for those of us who do things by a list. Give the list to Him and let Him order your steps His way (Ps 37:23-31). After all, he is a great teacher and knows more about our lives than we do.

Let’s use prayer as an example: My day starts at 4 am. I had a set routine that used to be etched in stone. My prayer list cannot be accomplished in 10 minutes. I might spend anywhere from 20-30 minutes in worship, then I pray for my list. I let the Holy Spirit lead me in who and what to pray for. But certain things on the list are permanent and never change. After all of that, I do my confessions and read and study the Word. All of this takes a maximum of 2 hours.

We live in an imperfect world and things happen that interrupt the flow of prayer. When that happened, he taught me to listen to his voice for Him to tell me when and where I can plug back in and never miss a beat. I use my drive time in the car to pray in tongues about “stuff.” when I’m cooking, or doing laundry, or cleaning the house I plug back in. During the day I get calls from people asking for prayer, so I stop and plug back in.

Maybe you are a stay-at-home mom with 4 babies and a husband. Your day is very different than mine so, go to the Lord and ask Him for your plan. By the time you get the kids up and fed, lunches made, and hair combed, and settle arrangements between siblings, then get your husband off to work, it will be difficult to go through a prayer list without interruption.  (sound familiar) Allow the Lord to teach you how to break it up into smaller pieces throughout your day. You will find that He will have you marching to the beat of a different drum and still have time left over.

Let us go to Him with all of our issues, cares, and concerns, roll them over on Him, and trust Him (Proverbs 3:5), lean not to our own understanding, in all of our ways, acknowledge Him, and he will direct our path!

- Evangelist Kaye Stramler

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We are getting ready to celebrate a very special milestone—Pastor Deborah’s 70th birthday! This is such a significant moment, and we have the awesome opportunity to honor her and show our love and appreciation for all she has poured into our lives. We know that your heart, like ours, is to be there to celebrate her in a big way. This is why we want to encourage you not to delay—go ahead and secure your ticket now!

Tickets are available here or you can text "70th" to 248-266-9990. We would love to see our HELPS teams show up strong to honor Pastor Deborah on this special occasion. We can’t wait to celebrate together!