Recently, I began to feel a shifting within my life both spiritually and physically. The spiritual aspect of this shifting involved an urge to completely surrender everything and everyone to Christ, walking in a greater level of faith, amongst other things. The physical aspect of this shifting involved coming out of my old “routines”/patterns and becoming more disciplined.
In hindsight, prior to this shifting, my morning “routine” was quite hectic and unorganized. But I did not view it in that manner due to the fact that I was able to check off things listed on my todo list. I would wake up, pray, wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed for the gym, take my son to school, go to the gym, workout, go home to freshen up for work, and rush out the door to work. Although performing my morning skin care routine made me feel better, I did it inconsistently due to having “no time”. Everything felt rushed, and savoring each moment did not exist. Truthfully, completing my routine at the gym was the primary focus of my mornings, but even my time at the gym wasn’t enjoyable due to the time restraints. Day by day, I felt more unfulfilled and desiring more.
You may be wondering what the shifting felt/looked like, so let me explain. I felt the need to be more flexible instead of rigidly set in my ways. I began to have an urgency to pray in the evening time instead of the morning time. I began to listen to my body and rest when I needed rest instead of forcing myself to work out. I began to choose healthier food options and pay attention to my consumption specifically denying myself of eating unhealthy when emotional. I felt the need to ‘go with the flow” instead of following a set plan. These things were not thoughts at the forefront of my mind. Instead, it felt as if my body began to follow the directions and promptings from within me.
A few weeks ago, I was diagnosed with COVID and forced to sit down, rest, and regroup. I reached out to my spiritual mentor and explained what I had been feeling and requested some guidance. Even after I received the guidance, I did not fully surrender to the shifting. While all of this was occurring, I was finishing up my study of the book of Matthew and beginning my study of the books of Corinthians. I would like to mention 1 Corinthians 9: 25-27 here; these verses reference being disciplined in training, running with purpose, disciplining one’s body like an athlete, and training the body to do what it should. After reading these verses, I heard “kill the flesh”. This was not the first time I had heard this phrase. God had spoken these very words to me beforehand, but I was not obedient due to my lack of intentionality. Reading these scriptures resonated within my mind. Just because you are not engaging in the things the world deems “big sins” does not mean you do not need to kill your flesh. If overeating is an issue, you need to work at killing your flesh. If you lack self-control, you need to kill your flesh. So on and so forth.
As I was journaling to God this week, I received a revelation from Him. He is shifting me to be more disciplined. He is establishing routine within me. He is teaching me how to kill my flesh. He is preparing me for what’s ahead. And although I do not see it now, I know that it is coming. I have been praying, “Lord, prepare me for what’s ahead and Your promises”. The shifting is a portion of my answer to that prayer. There has to be a preparatory season where things are set into order prior to God elevating me. I cannot enter this next season of my life rushing through moments, unorganized, not disciplined, neglecting myself by not checking in with my body/mind, eating unhealthy foods without restraint, lacking sleep, attempting to prepare for the day ahead while not savoring the present moment, etc. I must be led by the Spirit of God moment by moment. Because when He calls for me to pivot, I need to be in the proper position to do so without hesitation.
Since surrendering to the shifting, my morning routine looks like: wake up, quiet time with God (meditation, prayer, worship, praise/whatever He leads me to do), brush my teeth, wash my face, perform my skin care routine, take my son to school, go back home, drink my coffee while reading my Bible, take notes from my Bible reading, write a blog/journal… enjoy every moment. Afterwards, I look over my charts for my patients I will see that day, freshen up, get dressed for work, and go to work. I have felt AMAZING! I have felt so much calmer and freer both mentally and physically!! I am grateful for the shifting and God’s guidance in every aspect of it.
I want to encourage you to surrender to the shifting. It is for your betterment, and God is preparing you for your future. Do not stay stagnant just because the place ahead of you is unknown and unfamiliar to you. Have faith that even though you do not see what is occurring, God sees everything and will take care of you!
Real Talk with Keve 