I was recently challenged to find what God has gifted me with to influence others. Let me give you some context. When I was smacked in the face with this truth bomb we were discussing leading worship. We began to list things that happen during worship. We come into His presence. We create excitement. We help to make church a fun place to be. we have an audience of one. We lay all things at His heavenly feet. We lift all praise to God. Then the comment that froze me in my tracks... we become a conduit for God so that others may be ushered into His presence. WOAH... Such a huge responsibility. I sat there and marinated on that for a moment. While I sat stunned with the truth that God was prepping my heart to hear, I was also challenged to consider what others heard or I gave off when I helped to lead worship. Was it soothing? Was it strength? Was it healing? Had I ever considered what God wanted to say through my act of of worship? Often before I worship, I whisper a prayer. It is the same one every time. "Lord please do not let this messenger get in the way of your message today." I pray this because I never want to distract someone from the message meant for them. Today, during this moment of challenge, I have been pushed to better understand worship. It is not just about the song, the instruments or the beat of the music. It is about being open, hands open wide, in full surrender to God. To project and connect to others so that they can connect and project their gifts to others as well. It is a chain reaction. While I know that I am talking about worship, I have also began considering the impact this would have in my daily walk. If we walk in a constant state of worship, how better would our attitude be affected when dealing with everyday life and people. Y'all this is heavy. I in no way have my head wrapped around this but I would challenge you to consider what God has gifted you to use for His influence. What do you believe is a strength you possess? What would others say about you? More importantly, what would God say about you? Would He be pleased with how you treat others? Would He be pleased with what you "thought" of others? Would He see you as someone whose eyes are firmly looking for His, constantly searching on how to be His Conduit? I challenge you to consider these things. Even if it is as simple as praying that God would allow you to not just be a person of speech, but a person of Action.
"But the greatest of these is Love" 1 Corinthians 13:13
Monday, October 30, 2017
To thine self be true!!!!
Learning to love yourself can be a tough thing. To say that you are important can be even harder. If you are a mom, as am I, the need to put others ahead of yourself is a requirement. With out that things will sometimes just plain fall apart. But to say there is not time to give yourself is honestly (in my case especially) a cope out.
If you know me, you know that I STRUGGLE with my weight. It consumes me. It has high-jacked my mind and my daily life. Not only has it done that, it is robbing me of a better quality of life. I am definnelty that girl that will cry through an episode of the biggest loser while eating a bowl of icecream. Watching the show is suppose to be a motivator, the ice cream always serves as a comforter for something that is spiriling out of control. I stood in front of my mirror the other day and took a good hard look. I was disgusted. I was not only upset with what I saw but also what I had become. I feel like I am disappearing. The girl so full of energy, life and laughter was gone ...and in its place stood an angry, defeated, lazy child/adult who wasnt ready to take reponsibilites for her own actions....a person who wasn't mentally strong enough to say NO I deserve better. To place insult upon injury I was discovering that I was not only suffering physically, I was damaging my spiritual life as well. God loves us no matter what, but I believe He wants us to try to be the best physically that we can be. When we arn't we may be limiting the extent to how He can use us. (Less influence, less voice, less stamina to get the job done.)
While attending Seminar this febuary, I was given the privialge to attend a session where Steven Furtik, Pastor of Elevation Church in Charllotte, NC, was the keynote educator. He was speaking on his book "Sun stand Still". In this book He discusses about believeing in the power of trusting God to accomplish the impossible. While He said many things that I could apply to my life, there is one that has stood out and I have not been able to forget. He was explaining that often people ask God to change things in their lives but are not willing to do the work required....and then He went on to say this. "If you pray for God to help you lose weight, don't eat donuts, GEt up and MOVE more." After Steven said that I sat very still letting the sting of the words sink in. This is not anything new. I knew this very thing. It was jsut not somewhere I was willing ( in that moment) to go. We cannot expect God to help us if we are not going to help ourselves first.
Which brings me to the "Jumping off" point. Where to begin....For me to make a calculated effort, a lasting effort, I feel like I need to embrace the fact that I am worthy of living a full healthy life. I have to love myself enough to not cop out. To do the work...no matter the effort it takes. TO not talk myself out of every "good intention" I have planned for the day. To have FOLLOW through.
So thought provoking question of the day....How do you begin to change areas in your life that you find disgusting? Where do you start that will help you reach your goals? What kind of things do you do daily to show yourself that you too are worthy of a fun filled, spiritually lead full life?
If you know me, you know that I STRUGGLE with my weight. It consumes me. It has high-jacked my mind and my daily life. Not only has it done that, it is robbing me of a better quality of life. I am definnelty that girl that will cry through an episode of the biggest loser while eating a bowl of icecream. Watching the show is suppose to be a motivator, the ice cream always serves as a comforter for something that is spiriling out of control. I stood in front of my mirror the other day and took a good hard look. I was disgusted. I was not only upset with what I saw but also what I had become. I feel like I am disappearing. The girl so full of energy, life and laughter was gone ...and in its place stood an angry, defeated, lazy child/adult who wasnt ready to take reponsibilites for her own actions....a person who wasn't mentally strong enough to say NO I deserve better. To place insult upon injury I was discovering that I was not only suffering physically, I was damaging my spiritual life as well. God loves us no matter what, but I believe He wants us to try to be the best physically that we can be. When we arn't we may be limiting the extent to how He can use us. (Less influence, less voice, less stamina to get the job done.)
While attending Seminar this febuary, I was given the privialge to attend a session where Steven Furtik, Pastor of Elevation Church in Charllotte, NC, was the keynote educator. He was speaking on his book "Sun stand Still". In this book He discusses about believeing in the power of trusting God to accomplish the impossible. While He said many things that I could apply to my life, there is one that has stood out and I have not been able to forget. He was explaining that often people ask God to change things in their lives but are not willing to do the work required....and then He went on to say this. "If you pray for God to help you lose weight, don't eat donuts, GEt up and MOVE more." After Steven said that I sat very still letting the sting of the words sink in. This is not anything new. I knew this very thing. It was jsut not somewhere I was willing ( in that moment) to go. We cannot expect God to help us if we are not going to help ourselves first.
Which brings me to the "Jumping off" point. Where to begin....For me to make a calculated effort, a lasting effort, I feel like I need to embrace the fact that I am worthy of living a full healthy life. I have to love myself enough to not cop out. To do the work...no matter the effort it takes. TO not talk myself out of every "good intention" I have planned for the day. To have FOLLOW through.
So thought provoking question of the day....How do you begin to change areas in your life that you find disgusting? Where do you start that will help you reach your goals? What kind of things do you do daily to show yourself that you too are worthy of a fun filled, spiritually lead full life?
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