Notes from this week's podcast: Jo & Sydney: Continuing as Sheep, This Summer

Jo: People could see how God sees us (as the Shepherd and His sheep) how near God is to us.

Sydney: We are, in fact, weak little sheep -- to embrace that, there's freedom and also [it's] convicting, challenging. Picturing our identity as sheep, how can we take that into the summer?

Give thought to the season ahead. How can we make our seasons meaningful, purposeful to the Lord? Lord, I don't want to waste it doing meaningless things, for the wrong reasons. 

Jo: You don't want to miss what God has for you in this season. Stop and bring God into the matter because He may have a thought or idea that's really going to trigger something exciting -- excite your heart, your family and you don't want to miss that. 

Sydney: He is working all around us, and I don't want to miss that. Enjoying the Lord... How do we get there? How can we stay anchored this summer?

Jo: Even as a grandmother, there are all kind of scheduling for grandchildren. You do get stretched thin, making sure that's on your calendar, make the commitments. Summer can be challenging. 

Sydney: Be aware so we don't drift from what matters most -- meaningful living, enjoying God and to keep our aim on Him for our homes, our individual lives. I want to be intentional. 

Comparison can creep in at any phase of life. 

Jo: Or feeling left out. 

Sydney: In verses 16-17 (of Psalm 73), there's a shift into talking about God's presence. 

(1) Stay close to the Lord, His presence. Our proximity to God, hearing His voice, gives us our perspective on life. It's going to shape our thinking. 

Jo: And that affects where you're headed. 

Sydney: As you draw near to the lord, through prayer, spending time with Him, focusing on the things of God, our sin and flesh should become more obvious. That sheering process is a result of drawing near -- strip me, chisel away what's not of You (God). 

Jo: We can ask ourselves what are we feeding on -- (are we feeding on) what everyone else is doing or feeding on God. What we feed on is going to be stripped away, if we've not been feeding on the right things.

Sydney: We need to be repulsed by our sin. Staying close and staying clean... Remember the closeness of God and purifying our hearts. 

Jo: It doesn't have to be structured. It may be through the day. It may be a good time to stop and ask God to clean (me) up. Be in tune to that.

Sydney: Remember, we are forgetful sheep. Recount the past of God's faithfulness.

Don't repeat the mistakes.

Jo: What a picture of commitment. They know there was a purpose, a reason for it. Remembering the faithfulness of God, that's what picks us up whenever the world pushes us down.

Sydney: (2) Remember God's goodness in your life -- where He's working in your life, in your friend's life. We need eyes from Him to see it.

Jo: The Israelites didn't learn. How quickly they forget, not remembering God's provision. That's the same way we are today.

Sydney: We need reminders.

Take time with your family, pointing it out to your children. Where is His faithfulness being shown in remembering that and not losing track in the busy, hectic summer camps and whatever you're doing this summer. Reflect. He's been faithful. He will continue to be faithful -- sharing about that as family, as friends. Remind each other (just as in the Psalms) of God's hand.

Jo: It's another reason we need community. Help us to pick one another up.

Sydney: The truth doesn't change based on what we're going through. God's truth doesn't change (with feeling and circumstance). Preach that to yourself.

Lead with the truth. It's easier when we trust what He says is true.

Jo: Sometimes we know and we say (Scripture) but we're not feeling that. Don't go with your feelings. Let it be a red flag. Trust the Word. Follow the truth.

Sydney: Think of good routines and rhythms that safeguard whether it be time in the Word, time with your faith community. Think through some routines or rhythms you can do through the summer that keep you in God's Word, connected to the Body. It's crucial. 

Jo: Isolation will take you down every time. Create your own rhythm. Don't try to compete. Bring God into the matter. If things get chaotic, don't throw in the towel. The enemy wants to snatch your joy.

 Sydney: (3) Enjoy God. Here's the joy as we stay anchored to Him.

Our boundary lines of who we are in God. God is our inheritance. not because of land or status or summer plans. Being found in God is a delightful inheritance. Boundary lines is giving us parameters of who we are and who we aren't.  He's giving us protection. We are not war horses. We are in need of a Shepherd. Our inheritance of being His child, for our enjoyment, for our good.

Jo: No one would want to lose a physical inheritance.

Sydney: We can delight where God has us. We can find contentment where He has us.

Enjoy God. It's a delight to be where He has you, not necessarily easy. We can lift our eyes. He guides us as our Shepherd. He gives us clear vision, direction. He fills us with joy as we walk with Him. It's good for me to be near Him.

Jo: Accept it and lean into it.

Sydney: Let's not wander. Let's not waste it.

Jo: We have our marching orders for the summer. Don't miss what the Holy Spirit it speaking to you. God is using this to direct your steps so that you can lean in and enjoy Him.

Scripture for further study: Proverbs 4:25-26, Hebrews 2:1, Psalm 73, Psalm 51:10, Psalm 78, Psalm 19, Psalm 16:5-11