God measures the heart. He weighs it in the balance. We often complicate matters with human communication, miscommunication or interpretation. Proverbs 18:17 says, "The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him."
Just because someone tells us us something about someone else or about themselves doesn't mean that we should automatically believe it. For example, I used to work for a bank. I was the only African American in management. About a year later another young African American female was hired. A few months after she was hired I was called into my boss' office. The President of the company, my Director and my immediate Supervisor where there. The Director spoke of how the company had been so good to me and how they were disappointed in me. I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about and I supposed that look was coming through so they explained that the new hire confided in them that I had told her that the company was full of racists and that she should watch out. She said she was just telling them because I made her feel uncomfortable. I hadn't said two words to her because I didn't care for her and I was appauled that the accusation was made without anyone ever even asking me if any of it were true. There was the assumption that just because she came to them in sincerity that she must have been telling the truth. I was hurt. After having been with the company for nearly two years and peforming well on all evaluations I decided to leave the company. I told my Supervisor--who seemed most disappointed, that I was disappointed in him for not trusting me and for not asking me anything. All he could say was, "Why would she just do that out of the blue?" I supposed that made everything justified from the company's perspective. I went on to practice law, and was pretty happy because it was a solitary position where I didn't have to worry about that kind of traumatic experience again. Not six months later my former Supervisor called me to say that the young lady who had blantley lied on me had been arrested for embezzelment and was trying to sue the company for sexual harrassment. I had no sympathy. I felt like she and they were getting what they deserved. I'm sure that was wrong, but at the time it did bring some satisfaction. Later I learned that she had sued her former employer for sexual harrassment too. She most likely was bi-polar and for some reason--although we hardly spoke and did not work togther--I became a target.
From that experience I learned that it is imperative to hear everyone out. I never just accept what one person tells me because that one person has his/her version of what happened based upon their desire to seem innocent and to be accepted. But even when we do our best to see both sides and to judge fairly we can never judge the heart. God sees and knows our hearts. He knows our motives. He knows our intentions.
He really knows us. My most valuable lesson? Trust in the Lord and lean not unto my own undrestanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct my paths.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
We become what we see. Most of us need to change what we're looking at.
No matter how much we tell our children to do what we say and not what we do, children wind up doing exactly what we do and that annoys us so! We want better for our children, but we don't make better decisions or live better lives and somehow we have fooled outselves into believing that our children will be come something other than the example that we live in front of them. My mind is boggled by that.
I see myself in my daughter. Sure she has her own personality, but I see my temper, my shortness, my lazy streak, and pretty much all of my bad habbits in her. When I see these things I try to consciously make an effort to change so that she will have a better example to live by. Case in point, one day I was listening to my daughter talking with a friend of hers. She was rather rude and curt. Maybe the next day or so I found myself being rather rude and curt with her about something. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I cringe when I see my own behavior reflected out of my child, but I'm putting this in her. I can't blame anyone else. From that incident it now crosses my mind to be thoughtful and patient when I'm explaining things to her. I'm still working on this because my tendency is to revert to behavior I saw as a child, but I have learned that I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. That means that I can change--even now and I can set a better example for my daughter and point her toward the Father so that she knows where her help comes from.
Make no mistake you cannot hide your behavior from your children and hope that they'll be different. If you are inconsiderate to your husband, a cheater on your wife, an abuser toward your spouse and family, a liar, or whatever, your children see and adopt that behavior no matter how young they are. Studies even reveal to us that a baby in the womb can react to and feel what we experience. This is why it is advised that mothers remain stress free during their pregnancies.
Many of us--especially those of us who have suffered abuse--have a warped standard of experiences from which to draw and to try to guide our lives. If it were not for God ( . . . but God), it would seem that we would be doomed to repeat the examples of our parents and grandparents. But the Lord knows what we have need of. When I look back over my life I can see all the places where God filled in the spaces. We can change our futures when we accept that God wants to provide for us and care for us. We may have an example, but God can take from where we are when we come to Him, broken and make us new.
Look to the hills. That's where our help comes from. When we make Jesus our standard we experience a life changing pardigm shift that allows us to overcome what didn't work for us in the past and to embrace the Word. We can live by the Word and walk by faith.
I see myself in my daughter. Sure she has her own personality, but I see my temper, my shortness, my lazy streak, and pretty much all of my bad habbits in her. When I see these things I try to consciously make an effort to change so that she will have a better example to live by. Case in point, one day I was listening to my daughter talking with a friend of hers. She was rather rude and curt. Maybe the next day or so I found myself being rather rude and curt with her about something. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I cringe when I see my own behavior reflected out of my child, but I'm putting this in her. I can't blame anyone else. From that incident it now crosses my mind to be thoughtful and patient when I'm explaining things to her. I'm still working on this because my tendency is to revert to behavior I saw as a child, but I have learned that I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. That means that I can change--even now and I can set a better example for my daughter and point her toward the Father so that she knows where her help comes from.
Make no mistake you cannot hide your behavior from your children and hope that they'll be different. If you are inconsiderate to your husband, a cheater on your wife, an abuser toward your spouse and family, a liar, or whatever, your children see and adopt that behavior no matter how young they are. Studies even reveal to us that a baby in the womb can react to and feel what we experience. This is why it is advised that mothers remain stress free during their pregnancies.
Many of us--especially those of us who have suffered abuse--have a warped standard of experiences from which to draw and to try to guide our lives. If it were not for God ( . . . but God), it would seem that we would be doomed to repeat the examples of our parents and grandparents. But the Lord knows what we have need of. When I look back over my life I can see all the places where God filled in the spaces. We can change our futures when we accept that God wants to provide for us and care for us. We may have an example, but God can take from where we are when we come to Him, broken and make us new.
Look to the hills. That's where our help comes from. When we make Jesus our standard we experience a life changing pardigm shift that allows us to overcome what didn't work for us in the past and to embrace the Word. We can live by the Word and walk by faith.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Hide the Word on the Tables of Your Heart
Psalm 119:11 states: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Bishop Woods has been sharing with us how to live by God's Word and the advantages that will enhance our lives when we live by the Word. In order to live by the Word we have to read the Word, hear the Word, speak the Word, put the Word into action in our lives and watch it work. When we allow ourselves to become saturated with the Word, the Lord will bring it to our memory when we need it most and when we have divine appointments to share it with others.
I believe most of all the the Word is meant to be applied to our daily living. When I was a little girl I wrote a song from Psalm 119:11 because I wanted the Lord to know that I needed the Word to become a part of me. I often ask the Lord in my time of prayer to continue to open my understanding. I grew up seeing preachers, teachers and pastors fall on the side of arguing/defending what they knew of the Word, but I always believed that when the Word of God is applied it takes care of the needs of each person that it touches--there's no need to argue about it. Not because the Word changes, but it reminds me of caulk that fills the cracks of our lives to make us whole. My wounds and cracks are different from yours so when the Word hits me it fills me in the way that I need to be filled and it will do the same for each person that allows it to fill and heal them.
The Word needs most of all to be shared through our confession based upon our experiences. When I share the Word of God with someone I do so based upon my confidence that I know that God can and He will. I know He's a healer because I read the Word believed and experienced healing. I know He's a redeemer, a savior who'll reach waaaaay down, the keeper and lover of my soul, my friend, my comforter, my delieverer, my provider, my shelter and my way maker because He's been those things and much more to me personally.
He sends His Word to educate, to guide, to reach and to encourage me and when I allow His Word to flow through me I am able to share a testimony of His goodness.
God's Word will anchor you and allow you to stand in the midst of storms. At your most lonely times and when you are in the middle of a tempest He will give you the Word and a way of escape. To know the Word is to grow in faith, trust and to bear fruit. Hide it in your heart. Like Eli--keep it in your memory so that when your assignment is at hand you can meet the challenge.
Bishop Woods has been sharing with us how to live by God's Word and the advantages that will enhance our lives when we live by the Word. In order to live by the Word we have to read the Word, hear the Word, speak the Word, put the Word into action in our lives and watch it work. When we allow ourselves to become saturated with the Word, the Lord will bring it to our memory when we need it most and when we have divine appointments to share it with others.
I believe most of all the the Word is meant to be applied to our daily living. When I was a little girl I wrote a song from Psalm 119:11 because I wanted the Lord to know that I needed the Word to become a part of me. I often ask the Lord in my time of prayer to continue to open my understanding. I grew up seeing preachers, teachers and pastors fall on the side of arguing/defending what they knew of the Word, but I always believed that when the Word of God is applied it takes care of the needs of each person that it touches--there's no need to argue about it. Not because the Word changes, but it reminds me of caulk that fills the cracks of our lives to make us whole. My wounds and cracks are different from yours so when the Word hits me it fills me in the way that I need to be filled and it will do the same for each person that allows it to fill and heal them.
The Word needs most of all to be shared through our confession based upon our experiences. When I share the Word of God with someone I do so based upon my confidence that I know that God can and He will. I know He's a healer because I read the Word believed and experienced healing. I know He's a redeemer, a savior who'll reach waaaaay down, the keeper and lover of my soul, my friend, my comforter, my delieverer, my provider, my shelter and my way maker because He's been those things and much more to me personally.
He sends His Word to educate, to guide, to reach and to encourage me and when I allow His Word to flow through me I am able to share a testimony of His goodness.
God's Word will anchor you and allow you to stand in the midst of storms. At your most lonely times and when you are in the middle of a tempest He will give you the Word and a way of escape. To know the Word is to grow in faith, trust and to bear fruit. Hide it in your heart. Like Eli--keep it in your memory so that when your assignment is at hand you can meet the challenge.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Be encouraged! Jesus paid it all.
Is there anything that can keep you from the love of Christ? Check out what Paul wrote in Romans 8 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is no thing that can come between the redeemed and our redeemer. Our hearts, our minds and our very beings are inseparably saturated with the love of Christ. It is a part of our spiritual DNA. This is the key to understanding why we are victorious; why we are winners and over comers. When we recognize the importance of Christ's sacrifice; the tearing of the Vail; the execution of the New Will & Testament we can be so very confident in knowing that no matter what we go through, where we have been or where we are there is no thing in heaven, in earth or under the earth that can separate us from the love of God that we have obtained the right to through Christ Jesus.
Here in then is where our faith is made sure. Once we trust that Christ lived, bled and died; rose with all power and reigns forever more to return for His people, once we accept this in our Christian walk, there is absolutely nothing from God's Word that we can't accept and trust in absolute confidence. Trust that although what we sense with our natural senses may let us down and disappoint us, what we know with our faith will pull us through and anchor us.
We have a hope that is sure and certain bought by Christ's blood; the ultimate sacrifice that keeps wafting up to God's thrown. It is why God's mercy covers us while we go through the process of developing a strong worship relationship; while we come into the knowledge that God is our source.
Be encouraged today and know that you are glued to, forever tied to, and tethered to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; the creator of all things and giver of all good gifts. He is our friend, our savior, our comforter, El Shaddai--the all sufficient God, El Elyon--the most High God, El Olam--the Everlasting God, El Channun--the Gracious God, Jehovah Jireh--the Lord who provides,
Jehovah Rapha--the Lord who heals, Jehovah Shalom--the lord our peace, Jehovah Shammad--the ever present Lord, Jehovah Saboath--the Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Ra-ah--the Lord who is my shepherd. The Bible says He is the great I AM. He says of Himself, "I am that I am" In other words there isn't anything that exists that isn't saturated with Him because He generated all with the mighty Word of creation. Nothing can separate you from the Love of God because He did it all just for you. You are His child. You are His chosen. You are a peculiar people grafted into a royal priesthood through Christ's sacrifice. You are the head and not the tail. You are above and not beneath. Be encouraged and lift up your heads. The Word has been bought to you to let you know that you belong to Him. He paid for you and bought you with the highest price. He didn't bring you this far to leave you or to let you down.
Call on Him in times of trouble. Worship Him at all times. Bless His name. Reverence Him. Honor Him and know of a certainty that there is absolutely nothing that can separate you from His love.
There is no thing that can come between the redeemed and our redeemer. Our hearts, our minds and our very beings are inseparably saturated with the love of Christ. It is a part of our spiritual DNA. This is the key to understanding why we are victorious; why we are winners and over comers. When we recognize the importance of Christ's sacrifice; the tearing of the Vail; the execution of the New Will & Testament we can be so very confident in knowing that no matter what we go through, where we have been or where we are there is no thing in heaven, in earth or under the earth that can separate us from the love of God that we have obtained the right to through Christ Jesus.
Here in then is where our faith is made sure. Once we trust that Christ lived, bled and died; rose with all power and reigns forever more to return for His people, once we accept this in our Christian walk, there is absolutely nothing from God's Word that we can't accept and trust in absolute confidence. Trust that although what we sense with our natural senses may let us down and disappoint us, what we know with our faith will pull us through and anchor us.
We have a hope that is sure and certain bought by Christ's blood; the ultimate sacrifice that keeps wafting up to God's thrown. It is why God's mercy covers us while we go through the process of developing a strong worship relationship; while we come into the knowledge that God is our source.
Be encouraged today and know that you are glued to, forever tied to, and tethered to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; the creator of all things and giver of all good gifts. He is our friend, our savior, our comforter, El Shaddai--the all sufficient God, El Elyon--the most High God, El Olam--the Everlasting God, El Channun--the Gracious God, Jehovah Jireh--the Lord who provides,
Jehovah Rapha--the Lord who heals, Jehovah Shalom--the lord our peace, Jehovah Shammad--the ever present Lord, Jehovah Saboath--the Lord of Hosts, Jehovah Ra-ah--the Lord who is my shepherd. The Bible says He is the great I AM. He says of Himself, "I am that I am" In other words there isn't anything that exists that isn't saturated with Him because He generated all with the mighty Word of creation. Nothing can separate you from the Love of God because He did it all just for you. You are His child. You are His chosen. You are a peculiar people grafted into a royal priesthood through Christ's sacrifice. You are the head and not the tail. You are above and not beneath. Be encouraged and lift up your heads. The Word has been bought to you to let you know that you belong to Him. He paid for you and bought you with the highest price. He didn't bring you this far to leave you or to let you down.
Call on Him in times of trouble. Worship Him at all times. Bless His name. Reverence Him. Honor Him and know of a certainty that there is absolutely nothing that can separate you from His love.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Our Orders
I was in the army briefly. While there I learned quit a bit about our nation's military. As we were trained and prepared we waited for our orders. Your orders inform you where to go and when. There really isn't a why or how or who. The military is definitely about need-to-know information only.
While you await your orders you prepare for many scenarios. We learned to accurately fire an M-16--I achieved sharp shooter status; we learned to operate on very little sleep and to live outdoors; we learned to eat small meals quickly; we were trained to be physically fit and mentally alert; we learned to watch out for our battle buddy and to pay attention to the slightest sounds or movements; we learned to navigate our way out of a wilderness situation; and we learned to endure the pain of chemical attacks. The military stretched me to do things that I never imaged I could do--let alone would try to do. I repelled down walls and ran for miles at a time to build strength and endurance.
Having had the military experience, held and shot a weapon, been trained to fight in hand to hand combat or to shoot and stab in order to survive myself, I have to say that all of that has nothing on the military preparation that God puts us through throughout the duration of our lives. I am disheartened when I hear Christians talking about carrying guns or being armed in any way other than with their faith and the sword of the Word of God--this is our ultimate weapon. Yet we fear the enemy. We shouldn't. God's has provided us with ample information, opportunity to learn and grow, and faith to trust that He as it all in control.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:3 - 6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
We are the mightiest militia ever known and our orders are simple, " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Our confidence is in the fact that the battle that we fight is already won; it's not ours, its the Lord's so let's gear up and get our orders and fight the good fight of faith; making sure that we recruit more troops on our journey to fulfill our orders.
While you await your orders you prepare for many scenarios. We learned to accurately fire an M-16--I achieved sharp shooter status; we learned to operate on very little sleep and to live outdoors; we learned to eat small meals quickly; we were trained to be physically fit and mentally alert; we learned to watch out for our battle buddy and to pay attention to the slightest sounds or movements; we learned to navigate our way out of a wilderness situation; and we learned to endure the pain of chemical attacks. The military stretched me to do things that I never imaged I could do--let alone would try to do. I repelled down walls and ran for miles at a time to build strength and endurance.
Having had the military experience, held and shot a weapon, been trained to fight in hand to hand combat or to shoot and stab in order to survive myself, I have to say that all of that has nothing on the military preparation that God puts us through throughout the duration of our lives. I am disheartened when I hear Christians talking about carrying guns or being armed in any way other than with their faith and the sword of the Word of God--this is our ultimate weapon. Yet we fear the enemy. We shouldn't. God's has provided us with ample information, opportunity to learn and grow, and faith to trust that He as it all in control.
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 10:3 - 6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
We are the mightiest militia ever known and our orders are simple, " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Our confidence is in the fact that the battle that we fight is already won; it's not ours, its the Lord's so let's gear up and get our orders and fight the good fight of faith; making sure that we recruit more troops on our journey to fulfill our orders.
Monday, June 28, 2010
It's about God's Annointing, God's Approval and God's Assignment
Bishop Noel Jones has a song titled, It's not About us, but it's about Jesus. I thought about this song and its lyrics against a background of my church experiences. The thought occurred to me that many Christians may say out of our mouths that it's not about us, but truly believe that it is all about us and kind of about Jesus. The proof is in our behavior not in our mouth. As my grandma would say, "You can form your mouth to say anything."
Our backbiting, poking fun at, refusing to work together and get along, take over spirit, competitive spirit, unwilling to relent and make for peace ways prove that we don't think it's about Jesus. Now I understand when my Bishop says not to come down to deal with issues that are beneath me because to do so puts the focus on me. It elevates my feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, envy or angry. It makes it about me and not about Jesus.
When it's about Jesus, "I" and "me" are minimized. Instead we yield to God's will. When we yield to God's will our perspective about everything changes. Conflict is minimized because we yield. Jealousy isn't an option. Hating is out the window. Preferring one another is in order. Being genuinely loving and caring comes easily. Integrity is our habit. What many of us fail to realize when we receive Christ is that He enhances us. He doesn't take away. If you have style then you'll have style on steroids. If you've got swag prepare for your swag to be raised to a whole new level. You don't have to push yourself or your agenda as a matter of fact lay it all down. As you obey God and He regenerates you with His anointing the ministry that is within you will be developed as part of His process for your life. You may be serving faithfully and feeling like no one is watching, but who needs to see it except Jesus? Every experience that we have in the Lord is for His glory and to encourage ourselves and each other. God makes us better. The longer we spend bringing our lives in order with His Word the longer it takes for us to experience the good gifts and prosperity that He has for us.
Remember everything that we do prepares us for another purpose and another task. God does everything for a reason and allows every experience for a reason. Our prayer ought to be that as we journey through our Anointing into our Approval that God blesses our understanding. Everything that we experience in our lives qualifies us for our Assignment. They key is to allow God to work His perfect work in you so that you can be used for His Glory because after all it's not about us.
It's about Jesus when we realize that God is sovereign and as my daddy used to tell me, "You ain't running nothing, but your mouth and you shoes over." Listening for God's guiding voice and developing a real worship relationship with Him will bring about the validation and satisfaction that we long for in our lives and try so very unsuccessfully to get out of others. As we draw closer to the Lord and become open He will give us His unmerited favor.
I was sharing with my husband and another young lady recently that I have gained so much from my experiences at Urban Empowerment. There are skills that I have learned and development that God has applied to my life that I use in my day to day living. It not only has enhanced my spiritual walk, but it has brought me to a place of joy and favor in my day to day living. It is enhancing my faith walk. I can more confidently rely on the voice of Jesus rather than my own insecurities and self indulgences. I am slowly learning that it's not about who talks about me. It's not about my feelings at any given moment in time. It's not about me.
The Word applied to a developing Christian's life is exhilarating. It is like waking up. We begin to die off and meld into the body of Christ. Our identity is through Him; we relent. We truly humble ourselves--it isn't a speech. This becomes evident through God's elevation. When we "get" that it's not about us--when we really really get that one, God flips the script and blesses us to where others gain the experience of God's glory from our lives. In other words, God will elevate you.
Our backbiting, poking fun at, refusing to work together and get along, take over spirit, competitive spirit, unwilling to relent and make for peace ways prove that we don't think it's about Jesus. Now I understand when my Bishop says not to come down to deal with issues that are beneath me because to do so puts the focus on me. It elevates my feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, envy or angry. It makes it about me and not about Jesus.
When it's about Jesus, "I" and "me" are minimized. Instead we yield to God's will. When we yield to God's will our perspective about everything changes. Conflict is minimized because we yield. Jealousy isn't an option. Hating is out the window. Preferring one another is in order. Being genuinely loving and caring comes easily. Integrity is our habit. What many of us fail to realize when we receive Christ is that He enhances us. He doesn't take away. If you have style then you'll have style on steroids. If you've got swag prepare for your swag to be raised to a whole new level. You don't have to push yourself or your agenda as a matter of fact lay it all down. As you obey God and He regenerates you with His anointing the ministry that is within you will be developed as part of His process for your life. You may be serving faithfully and feeling like no one is watching, but who needs to see it except Jesus? Every experience that we have in the Lord is for His glory and to encourage ourselves and each other. God makes us better. The longer we spend bringing our lives in order with His Word the longer it takes for us to experience the good gifts and prosperity that He has for us.
Remember everything that we do prepares us for another purpose and another task. God does everything for a reason and allows every experience for a reason. Our prayer ought to be that as we journey through our Anointing into our Approval that God blesses our understanding. Everything that we experience in our lives qualifies us for our Assignment. They key is to allow God to work His perfect work in you so that you can be used for His Glory because after all it's not about us.
It's about Jesus when we realize that God is sovereign and as my daddy used to tell me, "You ain't running nothing, but your mouth and you shoes over." Listening for God's guiding voice and developing a real worship relationship with Him will bring about the validation and satisfaction that we long for in our lives and try so very unsuccessfully to get out of others. As we draw closer to the Lord and become open He will give us His unmerited favor.
I was sharing with my husband and another young lady recently that I have gained so much from my experiences at Urban Empowerment. There are skills that I have learned and development that God has applied to my life that I use in my day to day living. It not only has enhanced my spiritual walk, but it has brought me to a place of joy and favor in my day to day living. It is enhancing my faith walk. I can more confidently rely on the voice of Jesus rather than my own insecurities and self indulgences. I am slowly learning that it's not about who talks about me. It's not about my feelings at any given moment in time. It's not about me.
The Word applied to a developing Christian's life is exhilarating. It is like waking up. We begin to die off and meld into the body of Christ. Our identity is through Him; we relent. We truly humble ourselves--it isn't a speech. This becomes evident through God's elevation. When we "get" that it's not about us--when we really really get that one, God flips the script and blesses us to where others gain the experience of God's glory from our lives. In other words, God will elevate you.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Look around you
Today's blog will be especially transparent. I tried to write earlier about a topic, but found that it was just too difficult trying to write from an outside perspective. I think I can make the point more poignantly by speaking from my own experience.
I love the church. I've been in church my whole life. Church has always been my safe haven. When turmoil was going on all around me, I have been able to go to church and find resource, peace, love, comfort and friendships.
This is the first time in my life that I have been a servant leader in the church. I have held "positions" before, but for the first time God is working with me to see that each and every person is a child of His--whether I like them or not, whether they are nice or nasty, whether I feel that they treat me this way or that. We collectively belong to Him. In the last four years at my church God has shown me who I am as a servant. There is no "I" did this or that. There is only Him. Surprisingly, I have no desire to show off or to be seen. My whole paradigm has shifted from seeing my life as at church and at work and at home to only working for Him where ever I am. He's shown me my heart compared to His and how very different the two have been and now how close they are becoming. He's changed my desires to match His will. He's worked on me through my own shortcomings to have compassion and love for all His people. He's taught me that it doesn't matter what others say or do I have to answer to Him for my responses, actions or inaction. I am not held to a worldly standard. I am held to a holy standard.
As I learn these lessons and move through the process of understanding the real meaning of ministry and evangelism, I have also seen and experienced unmatched hurt. I have often questioned why people can seemingly get away with purposefully hurting, leaving people out, using, dogging, and talking about others; openly laughing at people and making fun of people, showing favoritism. I see people and I myself struggle for answers about how to remain in position when things at times seem so very unfair, yet God expects you to drive on without comparison and in love.
I often struggle internally between family life and what I believe I am called to do for the Lord and understand what Paul meant now about marriage. As my husband says often, Ministry isn't convenient.
After all of what I struggle with, the things that I can't understand yet, the things that seem so very hurtful and unfair, the inaction that leads to confusion and frustration--after all of that God says to me, Look around you. When I look around I see people who love fiercely, pray fervently, give fully and care unconditionally. When I look around I see God's business that is left undone and that calls me to put my hand to the plow to work with my Bishop and First Lady--even when I don't want to, when I feel like giving up because I'm tired of struggling with people I have only shown love toward. God pushes me to look around and see souls--not mere faces, but the very reason that He sent His Son--the souls that He has redeemed with His own blood.
When I look around I have so many reasons to be grateful. I have so many reasons to trust that the Lord is working everything out for my good. I have so many reasons to strive on as a sacrificing servant. I am thankful for this opportunity to serve in ministry. It has changed me when I thought I was through changing. It has taught me when I felt that my time for learning was over. It has moved me when I wouldn't have believed I could have been moved. It has developed me and giving me purpose. The Word has pierced me and convicted me and corrected me and even though it brought me to tears it also built me up and made me more aware. And it yet continues to bring me to a new place in my own relationship with God as I work out my own soul's salvation.
Look around you. Do you see people that you don't care for? Do you see people you have conflict with? Do you see people you can have over for dinner? Do you see people you can persuade and boss around. or Do you see opportunities to repair relationships? Do you see hurting people who you can reach with your testimony of the goodness of Jesus? Do you see people you can witness to and bring to church? Do you see someone you can encourage with a Word of life? Look around not with your eyes, but through God's heart. Your perspective will change. Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in. He will come in and make all things new. He will enter your heart and change your mind. Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory will come in and cause you to look around and see people like He sees people--through the eyes of His Son Jesus.
I love the church. I've been in church my whole life. Church has always been my safe haven. When turmoil was going on all around me, I have been able to go to church and find resource, peace, love, comfort and friendships.
This is the first time in my life that I have been a servant leader in the church. I have held "positions" before, but for the first time God is working with me to see that each and every person is a child of His--whether I like them or not, whether they are nice or nasty, whether I feel that they treat me this way or that. We collectively belong to Him. In the last four years at my church God has shown me who I am as a servant. There is no "I" did this or that. There is only Him. Surprisingly, I have no desire to show off or to be seen. My whole paradigm has shifted from seeing my life as at church and at work and at home to only working for Him where ever I am. He's shown me my heart compared to His and how very different the two have been and now how close they are becoming. He's changed my desires to match His will. He's worked on me through my own shortcomings to have compassion and love for all His people. He's taught me that it doesn't matter what others say or do I have to answer to Him for my responses, actions or inaction. I am not held to a worldly standard. I am held to a holy standard.
As I learn these lessons and move through the process of understanding the real meaning of ministry and evangelism, I have also seen and experienced unmatched hurt. I have often questioned why people can seemingly get away with purposefully hurting, leaving people out, using, dogging, and talking about others; openly laughing at people and making fun of people, showing favoritism. I see people and I myself struggle for answers about how to remain in position when things at times seem so very unfair, yet God expects you to drive on without comparison and in love.
I often struggle internally between family life and what I believe I am called to do for the Lord and understand what Paul meant now about marriage. As my husband says often, Ministry isn't convenient.
After all of what I struggle with, the things that I can't understand yet, the things that seem so very hurtful and unfair, the inaction that leads to confusion and frustration--after all of that God says to me, Look around you. When I look around I see people who love fiercely, pray fervently, give fully and care unconditionally. When I look around I see God's business that is left undone and that calls me to put my hand to the plow to work with my Bishop and First Lady--even when I don't want to, when I feel like giving up because I'm tired of struggling with people I have only shown love toward. God pushes me to look around and see souls--not mere faces, but the very reason that He sent His Son--the souls that He has redeemed with His own blood.
When I look around I have so many reasons to be grateful. I have so many reasons to trust that the Lord is working everything out for my good. I have so many reasons to strive on as a sacrificing servant. I am thankful for this opportunity to serve in ministry. It has changed me when I thought I was through changing. It has taught me when I felt that my time for learning was over. It has moved me when I wouldn't have believed I could have been moved. It has developed me and giving me purpose. The Word has pierced me and convicted me and corrected me and even though it brought me to tears it also built me up and made me more aware. And it yet continues to bring me to a new place in my own relationship with God as I work out my own soul's salvation.
Look around you. Do you see people that you don't care for? Do you see people you have conflict with? Do you see people you can have over for dinner? Do you see people you can persuade and boss around. or Do you see opportunities to repair relationships? Do you see hurting people who you can reach with your testimony of the goodness of Jesus? Do you see people you can witness to and bring to church? Do you see someone you can encourage with a Word of life? Look around not with your eyes, but through God's heart. Your perspective will change. Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in. He will come in and make all things new. He will enter your heart and change your mind. Lift up your heads oh ye gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory will come in and cause you to look around and see people like He sees people--through the eyes of His Son Jesus.
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