Survivor’s Guilt
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.~1 Co 3:14 NIV
In the Houston area we’re still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and will be for a while. You hear a lot of people around town and on television saying they have “survivor’s guilt” because so many have lost their homes while theirs is still standing and still others have been without power for so long while theirs was turned back on the next day. In fact, I feel a little bit of survivor’s guilt myself, for I am one of those people who didn’t get the worst of the storm.
We pray for those who are in those extremely difficult circumstances and we try to do what we can to help them to recover and rebuild. For those who personally know or regularly see people going through those darkest times or perhaps are involved in the rebuilding and recovery efforts, survivor’s guilt may remain for a while. For those whose lives are back to normal and have no regular reminders besides an occasional newscast, the guilt may tend to pass and they continue on in their busy lives.
Thinking about the total earthly devastation that is not really that far from where I live and daily driving by some of the blue tarps on the buildings in my neighborhood, my mind refocuses on eternal matters. “For we are God’s fellow workers…you are…God’s building.” (1 Co 3:9) My heart began to think of the ”spiritual buildings” in so many lives that are leveled to the ground or have pieces shattered out of them and are covered with earthly tarps that are only temporary and cannot help the building survive if another storm were to hit.
Another issue faced following a storm is that in attempts to start over again some may be deceived by fly by night operations who claim that they can repair and rebuild for a low cost and in a quick timeframe, but just leave the unknowing victim with a weak or unfinished building and likely a lot of financial loss and emotional distress. Likewise, many fly by night, drive-thru break thrus also tempt and deceive us when we attempt to build or rebuild things in our lives.
“But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Co 3:10-15)
Remember that “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power…for everything in heaven and earth is yours…Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.” (1 Chr 29:11-12) And God calls us to live a life focused on eternity–becoming and fulfilling those things that He has designed us for. If you invest your internal and external resources in building to these standards God intended, then you won’t ever need any blue tarps on the buildings of your spiritual life, relationships, physical health, finances and career.
Of course there will always be storms, but you will stand strong and you will always be fully insured for recovery and rebuilding. His signature is on the eternal policy in His Word and in your heart. What you build will survive and you will receive your reward on this earth and in eternity.
And if you have survived the storms of life without much visible or hidden damage, is there a reason for you to have “spiritual survivor’s guilt” or are you helping others recover and rebuild their lives? Do you have the heart of Christ and listen for opportunities to care for and serve the least, the last and the lost? Or do you just go on living your life in your own boarded up safe haven and not invite anyone in or go to their spiritual doorstep?
We are called to build our lives to God’s original blueprint and to help others to also build their Blueprint for Life(R) per God’s specifications outlined in His Word. For “From Him the whole body…builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph 4:16) What Kingdom building effort is God calling you to lead or be involved in?
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
How would you rate yourself as a builder of your life so far? Consider some of the past and present storms in your life. Ask yourself the hard questions. What areas of your life have you covered with temporary tarps of this world? What areas need rebuilding? What are you rebuilding with?
Spiritual
Have you weakened your relationship with God by drifting far away from Him on the waves of your earthly pursuits? Have you built your spiritual life with a shiny golden checklist, but nothing is really shining for those around you?
Relationships
What relationships have you patched up, yet left the seams on the brink of tearing again? Have you attempted to nurture your relationships with the silver dollar more than a warm heart?
Physical
Do you neglect your physical health so much that you don’t even have the energy to rebuild areas of your life? What is your exercise and diet plan made of–hay or straw that blows away each time there is a wind of distraction?
Finances
What financial quick fixes have left you deep in debt and the repair schedule is so far out that more things are falling apart? Have you made a budget of wood that you burn up spending to maintain a lifestyle beyond your means?
Career
Does your career or role in life feel like it’s a fly by night operation because it doesn’t fit who you are and what you want out of life and you’re stuck paying for it? Have you trapped yourself in a career built of costly stones that you can’t sell in today’s economy?
If one, some, most or all of these questions leave you feeling like your life has been hit by a hurricane and there is a long way to go in recovery and rebuilding, don’t be discouraged. If you open your doors to your Father, the Divine Designer and Master Builder of your life, He will seal every crack and build it in such an amazing way that you couldn’t have done it yourself.
You won’t even recognize yourself or your life, for your spiritual building will be a dream home. And “I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.” (Ecc 3:14)
Anyone Can Balance On Their Head
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.~Psalm 37:4 NIV
Lately I’ve been busily and happily engaging deeper in an important exercise–no, not balancing on my head, but balancing on my heart! It may sound hard physically, but mentally anyone can balance on their head! All you have to do is look at the sometimes cold, hard truth of life and make a decision based on what lines up with the natural facts and figures and the status quo of the world’s definition of success. There, you’ve done it–balanced your life based on your head. But even though it may seem you’re standing straight and strong, often times we find ourselves growing weary and trembling at the thought of holding that position that we or our circumstances or other people have put us in any longer–but all we are taking into account is what our head is telling us.
But what else is there to seriously consider? The numbers in my bank account, the whispers of my co-workers, family or friends, the odds of making it, or whatever else we’re considering in the natural world just doesn’t seem to show that I can be, do or have anything different and be truly successful at it. However, we often forget that our God is not a God of the “natural”, but of the “supernatural.” And yes we are citizens of this earth with often limited access to earthly resources and knowledge, “but our citizenship is in heaven” according to Phil 3:20. And just as we have certain rights here on earth, we have certain promises from our Father in heaven–those that truly can’t be taken away from us!
We’ve just recently celebrated our freedom in this country with the 4th of July holiday. But have you yet been able to celebrate your freedom as a heavenly citizen?–having truly embraced and empowered yourself FULLY with ALL that your Creator meant for you since, after all, Jesus came so that you “may have life, and have it to the full”? (Jn 10:10), and so that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds” (Phil 4:7), and so that glory is given “to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Eph 3:20-21) Have you begun to see more than you can ask or imagine in your life?
I once thought that not possible, but now I know that I was just balancing on my head–anyone can do that. But a child of God can do more–so much more! How? Well….bottom line… “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Jn 3:30 NKJV) The more I nestle myself in the Spirit, submit myself before God, and sit and learn at the feet of Jesus, and balance on my heart–the more I have seen God bring things into my life that I never could have asked or imagined or even done myself–I was “not competent”, “not ready”; it was “not probable”, “not typical”–maybe they should just be dismissed as fantasy! Changes in me and my family, new opportunities to achieve dreams I thought I would have had to fight for in the flesh, in the natural–all resulting in increase in joy, peace and fulfillment. Sure, there are trials and challenges, but as I intentionally allow Him to increase and myself to decrease, His fruit in my life increases–and, oh, how sweet!
I have two birthdays still to come this year–my natural birthday this week and my spiritual birthday on Ocotber 4–the one with most significance. And I am so thankful to be alive and be on the path of becoming and fulfilling my unique God-given calling in all areas of life! With every birthday celebration of my own, I just can’t help but celebrate the birthday of Jesus!
Yes, balancing on your heart and the desires that God has put in them–ahhh, that is the true Olympic challenge–beginning and ending with an eternal flame of joy, peace and fulfillment that starts burning brightly in this life and then blazes for all eternity–an event in which any of us can win gold! But have you even considered going to the trials? Guess what, you can try out and qualify and go on to win the gold in all of the events God has designed you for–even if you haven’t worked out the proper life muscles in ages! The big question is are you willing to discipline yourself to enter the arena with your faith and actions working together so that your faith is made complete by what you do? (James 2:22)
Do you truly believe that you can and will become, receive and fulfill the pure desires of your heart–not just what the often learned and assimilated thoughts of your head tell you? Then with that belief and faith, you must have a clear God-given, God-sized vision of where you want to be and how you can get there. And then for that vision to come to pass, you must have a plan grounded and carried forward in God’s wisdom, will, guidance and power.
Or maybe you have been so busy trying to hold that position on your head that you have not even given any specific thought or attention to what your heart and God’s Spirit is telling you is your Blueprint for Life. If not, how will you ever know what you were meant to build into your life or into the lives of others or how to build it based on how your Creator has designed your being and your life purpose? Yes, you have a life purpose….in fact, many life purposes for each area of your life–Spiritual, Relationships, Physical, Finances and Career. Do you know them? Are you fulfilling them?
So to play with the metaphor some more–what does it look like to balance on your heart? Well, it’s certainly not an upside down, upright position like balancing on your head. The only way to balance on your heart, which is at the core of your being in your chest, is to lay down–that is to lay your life down at the cross, at the feet of your Savior so that you can learn from Him and let Him carry your burdens. What a comforting thought, huh? Which Olympic event would you want to compete in–trying for the longest time balancing on your head or balancing on your heart in a resting position while God carries you through?! God’s training program is the surest way to gold–because it is based on how the event of our lives was truly meant to be carried out and the only person we have to compete with is ourselves and the time and track we were originally designed for.
And if you delight yourself in the Lord, He truly will begin to give you the desires of your heart as promised in Psalm 37:4 and you can bet your bottom dollar–and mine, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6)
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
1. What event have you been competing in within the “balancing on your head” events? climbing the ladder to the top? filling the bank the fastest? winning the approval of the in crowd? running away from fear of failure…or success? waiting until you feel ready or worthy? In fact, what is it that is pushing you or causing you to push yourself? Or rather should you really find out how you can be pulled by God’s compelling and irrestable purpose for your life?
2. What have you had faith to be or do, but have not yet stepped out of the boat into action to become or achieve? Is that vision from God? Do you have a plan that God is directing you towards? If you have done work to discover your life purpose, has it served any purpose such that your life and level of fulfillment has been changed? If not, why not?
3. If you have not yet considered seeking your life purpose, consider “who am I?”, “why am I here?” Do your head’s answers to those questions inspire you…or leave you in blank stares, confusion, or discouragement?
4. Do you want support in finding out how to balance life on your heart and live life by the Spirit? If so, consider starting your Blueprint for Life today. Your potential is not limited, but time is! Learn more at an upcoming complimentary introductory “Born for More!” Webinar. Invite a friend–they were born for more too!
April Foolishness
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.~1 Cor 1:27 NIV
With April Fool’s Day upon us, we will be keeping our eyes and ears open and our thinking caps on wondering whether people are pulling our leg, or even our arm or some other unexpecting part of us, in order to fool us and get a good laugh as we show unwarranted shock, excitement or fear of some far fetched tale they tell. I’m not sure which day I hide out more–April Fool’s Day or St. Patrick’s Day when I always get pinched for not wearing green!
But no matter what day it is, there are two things I’ve learned over the years: (1) I tend to be the one to fool myself the most; and (2) No matter how far fetched something seems, if God says it, it is no fooling! 1 Corinthians 2:9 quotes, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him” and Ephesians 3:20 gives glory to “Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” and then Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
We say that we believe God’s Word, that we believe and trust that He is who He says He is and that He can and will do what He says He will do. But then we shrink back from believing in and reaching expectantly for our full potential as we tend to follow suit with the world’s ”stinkin’ thinkin’” (as Joyce Meyer puts it) leading us to think that if no eye has seen and no ear has heard, then it may not be possible, that God can’t possibly have anything that immeasurable waiting for us, or that we simply do not have the strength or discipline to make it through.
We look at ourselves as “the foolish things of the world” and “the lowly things of this world and the despised things”(1 Cor 1:27, 28) as these are defined by man. Instead, we must intentionally take action to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom 12:2) because the Lord says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isa 55:8)! Even if you say that it is true and that you are all of those small and powerless things, then to God be the glory for our Lord declares, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9)
Beloved, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.” (1 Cor 1:27-29). If you believe and draw near to Him, your life can be more than you can ask or imagine, what neither your mind nor any other could ever begin to conceive, becoming and doing all things you are called to do through His strength,”with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power”. (1 Cor 2:5)
So when you get critical of yourself or when those around you look down upon you as if you are foolish, dearest Saint, rejoice in your foolishness! For God can and will bring beauty for ashes, strength for fear, light for darkness, life for death–that which is life indeed!
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. (Eph 1:18-23)
“I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There’s nothing I cannot do
Nothing I cannot do”
(Chorus lyrics, “Set the Word on Fire” by Britt Nicole, “Say It” album, 2007)
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
1. What “foolish” dream do you have for your life? Take time to write out all of the details of that vision for who you want to become, what you want to do, how you want to live, how you want to feel?
2. Is it a vision that you just can’t let go of no matter how improbable it seems? Seek God to confirm whether it is from Him. Do you have “stinkin’ thinkin’” that is keeping you from believing that you can realize this vision? What steps can you take to replace these thoughts?
3. Get started today writing a plan to build or rebuild to God’s original design for you all of the major areas of your life: Spiritual, Relational, Physical, Financial, Career. (Yes, write it down–vision, goals, stepping stones–so it is in front of you consistently rather than an occasional daydream–God wrote His plans down for us! Why not follow His example? A fantastic resource for this is Blueprint for Life, a life changing individual or small group Bible Study, Life Purpose Discovery & Strategic Life Planning resource. Written plans before, but don’t stick to them? Then get a family member, friend or life coach to help you to be accountable.) You may feel that you don’t have time to make a plan. But the question is, do you have time not to?
The Man in the Smoke Screen
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts…So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view…We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.~ Isa 55:8-9, 2 Cor 5:16, 20 NIV
In this post I’m sharing a true “short story” with details that are important to show how God works in ways we don’t expect. Sometimes it’s easy to have a “hmmm should I write this?” moment as it can be a little uncomfortable to reveal to others what sometimes goes on inside of our heads as we don’t want to be judged. It’s hard enough sometimes to be “real” with ourselves, let alone others–and we end up judging ourselves harder than others do. But I believe in letting my humanity walk on water with the risk of sinking–being authentic and vulnerable so that we can all be “real” with one another and be “real” for God.
I’d also love for you to comment and share your thoughts on God speaking and working through your life to bless others! If you have any experiences that fit with these where it was truly “indeed God in deed”, please share with us so that we all can be encouraged and praise His wonderful works. Pass this on to others to be a blessing or so that they too can add to our “God inDeed” testimony chain!
One of my sons was off of school one day and I decided to take him to IHOP since he loves pancakes and we had not been there in a while (well, not to sit down and eat anyway–we do a lot of take out dining when I don’t cook–as it is often a challenge to dine in restaurants at their ages–and it gives my husband a chance to taste ‘real’ cooking…and me too! Culinary arts–or even experiments–just not my gift!) As we approached the entry, I saw that there was a wait, which our stomachs were not happy about since we had both not had much breakfast.
I assume most IHOPs may be structured this same way. The restaurant had a set of glass double doors, then a little waiting area with a bench against the wall to either side, then another set of double doors that led into the bigger waiting room inside of the restaurant. When we walked into the first set of double doors in this non-smoking establishment, I noticed a man bending over on a bench in the corner on one of the benches as if trying to hide the fact that he was smoking.
The moment my nose entered the small area, the smoke rushed up my nose when I breathed in, as I had not expected to have to hold my breath as I usually prepare myself to do as I walk by so that I don’t inhale the smoke. I, like my mother and her mother alike, have sinuses that react strongly to inhalation of cigarette smoke within the first half a sniff. I get a sinus headache almost immediately and have to take a decongestant to relieve it. I have friends and relatives who smoke and they just know that when they have to light up, I step back about 15 feet for a while!
Needless to say, I was a little frustrated that our table for two–mother and son–was about to become a table for three–a headache joining us! My son and I went inside, put our name on the list and sat down far across the waiting room at a little wall dividing the waiting area from the kitchen so that we were as far away from the entry area with the smoke as possible–since each time the door was opened the invisible smoke screen came into the restaurant and I could sense it going into my sinuses. I could tell that the servers and hostess who were in the area were a little disturbed knowing that he was not supposed to be smoking, but they were all pretty young and I assume probably not wanting to risk a conflict with the gentleman.
Then the man came into the restaurant. Judging–so easy to do though we should not–just from his outward appearance, I could see how he was a little intimidating to think about approaching. His face was kind of scraggly–like typically shaved but growing back and left unshaven; he wore worn baggy green sweat pants a little high revealing lengthy socks and a red sweat jacket that was closed up to the top of his heck; he shuffled around back and forth from inside the restaurant to his self-designated smoking area several times as if having a need to smoke every few minutes out of anxiousness or something.
And each time he walked near me, the breeze from his movement blew the scent of smoke up my nose as it did not have time to wear off as he went in and out. Sometimes the hood on his jacket was up, sometimes down. His facial expressions seemed distraught, certainly not happy and he avoided eye contact with anyone.
But he did not seem approachable. His demeanor and presence gave you the feel that at any time he might go into some sort of a rage that would cause us to dive for the floors. I actually considered leaving as I just didn’t have a good feeling about this situation. But I fought my better or not better judgment and stayed to please my son, who though his tummy was growling was so very excited about the thought of pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream on top.
I noticed that the man was returning to a seat on the north side of the restaurant and I prayed that God would sit us on the south side separated from the other by the waiting area and kitchen so that I was far from the smoke and my concern for safety. Many stared at him as he passed back and forth, intimidated and critical looks on their faces. I was intentionally adjusting my thoughts not to judge, but just kept hoping that he would hold it together if something really was going on with him and scanned the area thinking of an exit or hiding strategy just in case.
Eventually we were taken to our booth and I was relieved that it was on the south side! I ignored my headache and we happily ordered our food. And when our drinks were delivered, we had a fourth unexpected guest! A server was bringing the glass, drink pitcher and silverware of the mysterious “man behind the smoke screen” from his table across the restaurant and sitting him in the booth right behind ours. And he was facing the back of my son’s head, who was seated across from me in our booth, and facing directly towards my face. I looked down or at my son to avoid eye contact as I didn’t want him to think that I was staring at him or anything, but it was hard not to lock eyes every so often because of how we were sitting.
At this point, my mind is complaining a little, as I see that he is getting up and down every few minutes as he was before–to his table, to the entryway, again and again. But at least with a longer walk now, the lingering smoke was no longer with him long enough to affect me. He wasn’t eating at this point, though I don’t know if he had already or was going to. He had a pitcher of juice, his wallet, his keys and a small notebook at the table with him.
As I ate with my son, I could feel the Holy Spirit start to well up inside of me. As I do at times when someone’s feeling of burden is laid upon my heart and spirit, I felt a pit feeling deep in my stomach, my palms became damp, and my eyes felt as if they wanted to tear up. Suddenly I felt compelled to pray for this man and my eating came to a stop (and believe me, when I have pancakes or french toast topped with warm apples and whipped cream, stopping is not an optino!). I stopped chatting with my son, and just prayed and felt a deep, spiritual compassion for this man.
And then it was impressed upon my mind to be Jesus to this man, to show him God somehow. I dialogued in my head with the Lord, asking what I was supposed to do as I was scared to speak to him. The Lord didn’t seem to care if I spoke to him or not, but only wanted me to have the name “God” go out to him somehow. My God-given care and responsibility outweighed any fears I had and I knew I would obey.
The man then left again, leaving all of his things on the table, and this time went outside of the window behind his table and smoked outside in the cold weather (cold for my area in the South is really just light jacket weather). He turned in towards the glass, just about staring right at me at times, maybe watching as his wallet was within view. I rummaged through my wallet looking for something, thinking I would give him a note with whatever the Lord wanted me to say. I had my son hurry up and finish eating, hoping to be able to do it before he came back in from smoking, but it didn’t work out. I saw him coming back in. When his server came to his table the next time, I was sure to look at her name tag in case I needed to speak to her.
All I could find in my purse that I could write on was a Marble Slab Creamery punch card that was actually full and I was waiting to use for a waffle cone of double dark chocolate mixed with pecans! I wrote across the bottom of it something like, “May God bless you in this new year.” I felt it was adequate; it had the word “God” in it as I felt I was supposed to say. Maybe it was a sign that was being sent to him. It didn’t matter. I just wanted to obey.
I also decided that I would give him a gift card, like $10. So when my server came to our table, I asked him if I could buy one and he said to get it at the check out up front. So when we left, I asked for one and they said they were out. Now how should I get him the note and get God’s point across? I wanted to have the server give it to him with the card.
Well, I decided that I would ask to pay his check. So I asked for his server–good thing I had looked at her name. When I described who I wanted to pay the check for, she looked at me with strange surprise. But she tallied it up and let me pay it and then she asked me if I wanted to tell him anything. I handed her the Marble Slab card and asked her to give it to him and just say that one of the customers paid his check. Then my son and I jetted out of there quickly as I didn’t want him to know who did it, but just to hopefully feel the light of the anonymous, pleasant surprise in his seemingly dark moment.
As we drove off, my son asked why I paid for the man’s ticket if I was so bothered by his smoking near me. (He knew that I was irritated by it as I mentioned to him that it was bothering me and I think he heard me say under my breath, “oh great” when the gentleman was moved next to us.) It was a wonderful opportunity to show him how God’s love and God’s will far outweighs our own human biases, desires and sometimes false wisdom–how His thoughts are not like our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways.
No one can tell me that it was not a work of God to move that man, the last man I wanted to be near–and requested in prayer not to–all the way across the restaurant to sit right next to me, being face to face making eye contact with me, and then to supernaturally put it on my heart to reach out to him in both a natural and spiritual way–it was way beyond mere human response of typical “aw, poor person, I hope he is okay”.
But all along I was the one really in a smoke screen. I had not only been affected by a natural smoke screen from the cigarette, but also was in a spiritual smoke screen created by my own fears, discomforts and cultural programming. But God let me not only see through the dense fog of my humanity, but reach through it and touch another life. I have no idea what that man was going through or why I was supposed to do what I did, but if God was the author of it all, it has to be working for his good–it certainly worked for mine and my son’s.
I share this with you today to remind us all to be alert of our own smoke screens that we create, that our society creates, that may be blinding us to the needs of others–to our roles in the lives of others–especially those who we are least likely to want to reach out to. Because we are first spiritual beings before natural, fleshly beings, we must intentionally keep ourselves open to the leading of the Lord through His Spirit so that we can be Jesus to others.
But as humans, aren’t we always having to find our way through our smoke screens? Some of us don’t even realize when we are in them–we can’t see beyond the 5 feet or 5 minutes ahead of us; we don’t believe that we are in one–we don’t believe those who are outside of our smoke screen calling out to us, trying to shine a light for us to find our way out so that we can step out of it and experience real life through Jesus Christ. What smoke screens do you tend to be blinded by?
I felt that the lyrics to the song “God Speaking” by Mandisa are quite fitting–and when I heard it on the radio for the first time, it had the ‘ways are higher’ words in it and I just knew it was for this post:
Have you ever heard a love song
that sets your spirit free?
Have you ever watched a sunrise
and felt you could not breathe?
What if it’s Him?
What if it’s God speaking?
Have you ever cried a tear
that you could not explain?
Have you ever met a stranger
who already knew your name?
What if it’s Him?
What if it’s God speaking?
Who knows how He’ll get ahold of us?
Get our attention to prove He is enough.
He’ll do, and He’ll use whatever He wants to.
To tell us, I Love You.
Have you ever lost a loved one
Who you thought should still be here?
Do you know what it feels like
to be tangled up in fear?
What if He’s somehow involved?
What if He’s speaking through it all?
Who knows how He’ll get ahold of us?
Get our attention to prove He is enough.
He’ll do and He’ll use whatever He wants to
To tell us, I love you.
His ways are higher;
His ways are better,
Though sometimes strange.
What could be stranger than God in a manger?
Who knows how He’ll get ahold of us?
Get our attention to prove He is enough.
Who knows how He’ll get ahold of you?
Get your attention to prove He is enough.
He’ll do and He’ll use whatever He wants to,
To tell us I love you.
God is speaking, I love you
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
1. Is there someone in your life that you feel like you’d rather not be in close contact with, but either you can’t avoid it or they often seem to somehow end up interacting with you? Seek God to see if there is some reason for this person being in your life and if so, how does He want you to reach out to him or her? What are your human thoughts vs. God’s thoughts?
2. Is there something that God has been prompting you to do for someone that you have avoided doing because your flesh does not feel like you should do it–maybe you feel they don’t deserve it or that it would put you out of your comfort zone or inconvenience you? Ask God to strengthen you to be obedient despite how you feel and to see them through spiritual eyes instead of worldly ones. What ways of His can you adopt that are higher than your ways?
3. Do you know how God speaks to you? through you? Is there a certain feeling you get? is it at a certain time like when nothing is on your mind in the middle of the night — is there enough down time in your life in which you can try to listen and feel God’s presence? If you do, ask Him to use you so that you can be “God speaking” to others. If you don’t, be more intentional to spend time alone with Him–yes in Bible study, devotion or praise or prayer–but not only when your mind is active and you hear yourself speaking, but also just in intentional times of silence, just sitting with Him as if sitting with a significant other, holding hands in silence, staring at the sunset, just knowing that your hearts are beating together—-just to hear “God speaking”.
4. Be more intentional–in those moments when you are most unlikely to feel like you want to serve anyone, to touch anyone’s life–to listen and feel for God speaking? He may have a special task for you, but you are so carried away in the whirlwind of your own thoughts and concerns that you don’t hear Him and are missing opportunities to change the lives of others–to change your life.
A Maverick Servant: Thanksgiving in Action
If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us…~2 Cor 5:13-14 NIV
We are asked to “enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise” (Ps 100:4). Yes, this can be the ‘gates’ of His presence in our intimate moments with God. But could it be that since God is always in our presence, that every ‘gate’, door, room, relationship, or situation we enter should be with thanksgiving and praise?
I drove past a little store this morning and as I did I felt led to do something for someone there that I don’t know very well. (I won’t tell where it was or what I wanted to do for the sake of privacy.) I kept driving to run my errand down the road as what I thought of doing was a little silly. Then when I passed back, kind of in a rush to get home and get some work done before the kids get home and the holiday travel begins, the thought came to me again, but I passed up the store.
But at the next corner I made a U-turn because it was strange that this thought wouldn’t go away and I try to be sensitive to whether it may be the Spirit leading me when this happens. So I just did the little thing that I felt led to do and to my delight the person was overjoyed and ran around the counter to give me a hug. It only cost me a little time, effort and money, but everyone received a lot in return! They felt great…I felt great…and I bet the Lord felt great because of the edifying of one of His children from my obedience, despite how silly I may have felt.
I used to feel guilty because my strengths or desires didn’t lie in some of the physical service areas like cleaning people’s houses or doing yard work for them when they could not, cooking for church potlucks or those who are sick, etc… And I’ve learned that there is a time to step up and minister in areas that are not your strengths; however, our best service with willing, joyful hearts occurs when we serve with the gifts, talents, burdens and abilities that God planted inside of us when we were created–or in those passion areas that are born out of our own experiences. If we all did that there probably wouldn’t be many needs unmet!
On a similar note, serving through giving thanks and praise to others is most beautiful when it is not only during the holiday season that society dictates is time to give to others, but rather when you are spontaneously compelled by the Spirit of God to be the heart, hands and feet of Jesus during the ordinary moments of others’ lives to make them feel extraordinary! So during this Thanksgiving season–and all year round–I challenge you to become a maverick servant!
A maverick is defined as “a person who takes an independent stand, refusing to conform to that of his group”. Go radically beyond that which is normally expected in the area of serving others. Yes, donate to charities and spend time there. But what type of service can you do that stands out, that doesn’t conform to the typical perception of service…in your own home…own neighborhood…own center of influence? I see Jesus as the ultimate example of a maverick servant and I think that if we follow in His footsteps, we too must find our own unique way of being salt…being light…being a maverick!
So you may say…”It’s not in my personality. What can I do? I don’t have enough money to give to people. I don’t know anyone. I’m too shy to go up to people. I’m worried about what people will think of me. I don’t have time.” Well, Jesus gave us the perfect example of servanthood. Wherever He was, whenever it was, whatever He had, whoever was around Him–He was just a blessing in that moment according to their need and what He felt he should give. We must train ourselves to have intentional focus on not just doing service, but walking in service and being tuned in to the Spirit’s leading 24/7…365 (yes, and 366 on leap year)!
You know, this type of thing wasn’t a regular part of my routine or personality either–I am an introvert by nature and used to struggle with being extremely uncomfortable in social situations, but through not just the limited power of self-help, but also through the unlimied power of Spirit-help–as I’ve made myself available to God’s Spirit for growth and service–“Here am I. Send me!” (Isa 6:8)–my heart is ever transforming into more of a servant heart and my external actions are following as I walk in my calling, not only as a profession, but as a unique person and as a child of God. I serve not for tax write-offs, not for pats on the back, not for holiday checklists, not just to be nice, not because the church class is doing it as a project, but because I cannot help myself–I am compelled and propelled forward into being Christ to others in the unique and special way that God intended just for me.
So don’t despair if it does not seem natural to you, if you do not even desire to do these things at this time. ”Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion…I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Col 4:2, Phil 1:6, Ez 36:26-27)
I think sometimes we avoid doing things for others that may seem maverick-like because we feel embarrassed or ashamed of what we are about to do or what it may stand for before someone else, especially an unbeliever. “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words…the Son of man will be ashamed of him…” (Mark 8:38) When the Bible says this I don’t only think about direct evangelism or proclaiming my belief. But I also think of not being ashamed to live the way He has called us to live. We are called to live holy lives of servanthood, to “come out from them and be separate…” (2 Cor 6:17). ”Religion that God accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (Ja 1:27)
I am not ashamed to say no to attending an offensive movie when others are going, to ask someone to change the radio station when the music is ungodly (and tune in to my favorite contemporary Christian radio station KSBJ here in Houston!), to serve in ways that even may seem embarrassing to me or make others who do not understand the Word think I am being foolish. I do this not in my own power, but in the power of the Spirit and reverence of my Lord. What really matters is pleasing God, not man. “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal 1:10)
I don’t know about you, but “well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21) are the words that I long to hear not only in Heaven but every day, every moment on this earth, as much as it is in my power–His power. I want blessings, but more than that I want to be a blessing to ALL people that I come in contact with–even those who do not mean to bless me.
So what can you do to be a maverick servant? Here are some examples:
- When a restaurant server or store cashier is indifferent or rude to you, acknowledge their feelings and ask if they’re having a tough day and perhaps just meet their need to be heard or to be seen as a human and not just someone there to do the task at hand.
- Buy gift cards to keep in your wallet, purse or car and when you see the school crossing guard or the garbage collection truck workers, go up to them and express how much you appreciate and are thankful for the job that they do in service of your family and community.
- Walk into Hallmark and buy a beautiful card, pay for it and then turn around and give it to the cashier expressing thanks for their service.
- When you see the person at the corner of the busy street holding a sign asking for food or work, instead of judging them, ask the Lord if you are meant to touch their lives. Even if you are skeptical about their situation, you don’t have to give money if you are not at peace with that. But what can you give that will show that God cares about their soul? An invitation to come to your church? A restaurant value meal with a small Bible? Stop, be honest that you have nothing to give, and pray with them for their needs to be met?
- When you see a mom with screaming or misbehaving children in her shopping cart, offer friendly words of acknowledgement or encouragement? When a child at a restaurant or on an airplane is making noise or keeps trying to interact with you, be a light to that child and parent instead of contributing to the discomfort the parent may already feel as others give annoyed glances. Offer to play with the child or strike up a conversation with the parent.
- Seek out someone who has frustrated you the most this year, pray about how God can use you in their life, and say or do something nice for them that they would never expect, especially from you. Or simply respond to them in a godly manner instead of reacting in the way that you normally might. If you can’t do it for yourself, do it for the honor of God. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (Pr 25:21-22)
- Don’t be so focused on and caught up in the business of your busyness that you forget about the business of God. Keep an open mind while you go throughout your day, noticing people’s facial expressions, tones of voices, situations, needs and seek the Spirit as to whether you are to serve them in that moment. We “Marthas” and “Marys” don’t just play those roles in our homes, but also outside in the world. How can you sit at the feet of Jesus as you drive down the street? go into the bank teller line? walk through the grocery store aisles?
- Pray earnestly that you may be aware of opportunities for God to use you in other people’s lives. Take mental note (or written note if you tend to forget) of things that are valuable, positive, or special about other people–friends, family, strangers, enemies–and share spontaneously or make a ”premeditated” plan to share that information with them either straightforward or in a creative way.
Do these types of things with or in front of your children. Invite your relatives, friends and co-workers to participate–not forcing obligatory projects and not to bring praise to yourself–but so that they can see the natural overflowing love of God active in your life.
Sometimes God may not put the thought in our mind of exactly what it is that you can do for someone else and sometimes ideas may not come easily to everyone. So I welcome and encourage you to forward this article to others, post your ideas, comments or stories about being compelled by Christ’s love to be a maverick servant to someone else. Your idea may be what makes all the difference in someone else’s life! And if you need some ideas of how to serve another person, feel free to post a question and I’d be glad to support you in brainstorming some ideas.
I encourage you to find some way this week to be a maverick servant! To give someone else something unexpected to be thankful for–to step out of your comfort zone for Christ and do something you wouldn’t normally do for the sake of another! Man may have invented the Thanksgiving season, but God created real Thanksgiving and it is to be in thought and action every day!
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
1. Do things ever come into your head out of nowhere? Could it be the Spirit? Do you pass back again or think twice to be sure that you are hearing what you think you are or just ignore it and go on with your busy schedule? Do you obey or ignore?
2. Your type of service to the world may not look like everyone else’s. And even if you already serve in the church in a formal way, it could be that there are some things that you could be doing in your everyday life out in the world for believers and non-believers alike that can bring joy and meaning to the lives of others. What things do you always feel passionate about or enjoy doing for other people that you may not do as much as you feel led to–or perhaps have never done out of embarrassment or fear?
3. Do you feel like you never really hear from God about what you could be doing to serve? Make it an intention to have more silent time with the Lord to seek a spiritual heart transplant! To receive a new heart filled with the servant love of God–a heart compelled to serve by Christ’s love!
4. Have you lost touch with or perpahs just have no idea what passions you really have that you can use? Or do you not feel a sense of higher purpose or calling and wonder what that might be for you? You don’t have to sit, wait and wonder. Find a friend, spiritual mentor or coach to help you with self-discovery and life strategies to put into practice those things that you were made for and start experiencing more joyful, purposeful and passionate living, feeling compelled to serve others out of your overflow!
Indeed God in Deed
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.~Rom 1:20 NIV
Please share your experience of His invisible qualities in your life as a God inDeed Testimony! Come as a witness to testify concerning God’s light so that through you others may believe. (John 1:7)
Even if you were not in the middle of formal prayer time, has a whisper of wisdom, direction or encouragement ever come to you from out of “nowhere” that was indeed just what you needed to hear?
Have you ever been set on doing or not doing something and an unnaturally explained timely deed took place to change your decision or course of action for the better?
Has someone you know, or perhaps a stranger, spoken something to you or did a deed for you that was indeed an unexpected divine help?
Do you know…that you know…that you know…that it was not coincidence and definitely not of your own will or power, but rather indeed God in deed?
Please share your story as a witness as we build a God inDeed Testimony Chain by posting comments as often as you’d like to entries in this blog category I’ve titled God inDeed or sending me an email message to post. But don’t stop there! Let’s not keep these practical miracles to ourselves! Let’s fellowship and build community and witness for Christ! Share your posted story and others submitted with 1 or more people (how about 7 people–God’s perfect number…my favorite!) who may want to share their own testimonies of God’s work in their lives or perhaps may receive great encouragement and hope from the evidence of God moving.
Not only give testimony of the big miracles He may bestow upon your life, but tell of His works in even the most detailed or seemingly insignificant areas of your life. And if you feel that you don’t have anything to share, keep looking and listening…God is in deed! No matter how small or perhaps even silly your experience may seem–if it is God, it is magnificent! Together let’s confirm to ourselves and show others that God is interested in the details of our lives and that He even sometimes has a sense of humor–that He is real to us…and can be to them! Let’s boldly and passionately give glory and praise to Him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power at work within us–and all around us! (Eph 3:20-21)
(If you want to tell anyone else’s story, please seek their permission first to honor their privacy.)
The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me…My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me…believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father…You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
~John 10:25, 27, 38; 2 Cor 3:3 NIV
Moment to moment in your life, I encourage you to find time throughout each day–even if only for 30 seconds–to quiet your mind by shutting down all thoughts and just looking to Him with your spirit. You don’t even have to know what to ask or say. His Spirit knows. And not only hear…but listen intentionally to His whispers to recognize His gentle shepherding, to know indeed that it is God in deed directing your steps–and if He is not, then realign yourself with His will as you hear His voice.
So often we are so preoccupied in thought, so busy going through life on autopilot, so focused on the natural world, that we forget to look for or don’t even notice what is going on in the spiritual realm within us and all around us. We are citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20-21), ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20), God’s fellow workers (2 Cor 6:1)–and must set our minds on things above (Col 3:1) to become wholly aware of God’s presence and guidance in all things in our life–as big as a career decision, as small as a choice of whether to run an errand or stay home to attend to other things; as spiritual as seeking deliverance from a stronghold, as practical as how to better balance your budget.
And because we don’t see or hear God in things, we may forget to even seek His help or maybe even assume He doesn’t care about our situation–but He may have been whispering the answer all along, but we just weren’t tuned in or were not
aware of how God personally speaks to us because we have not yet built that intimate of a relationship with Him yet. How much more powerful and encouraged would we be if we were tuned in to the multitudes of interventions God made or is trying to make in our lives!
I have journals full of all of the revelations He’s given and changes I’ve made–even things my mother shared with me that occurred when I was too small to write or read. And it is amazing how it is evident that God is directing my steps. And there is no way I could ever not believe and trust in Him in any part of my life. Take seriously your becoming…leave nothing to chance. It’s never too early…and never too late. God is always on time!
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
1. Think back on your life, even since you were a child–journal the things you have gone through, how you’ve changed, the path you’re taking and what role you believe God has played in these things.
2. Share with your children, no matter how young they are, how God is working in their lives–journal it for them so they can read it when they are older and see who God is shaping them to become. If you don’t have children, share your observations and insights of God working in the lives of the rest of your family or friends. Be a “seeing eye Christian” for those around you to help sensitize them to God’s existence and works!
3. Share your story with others as a witness for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit at work and relevant to our lives today. I’ll start by posting a comment to my own entry to start off our God inDeed Testimony Chain!
Living to the Beat of Your Drum
Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.~Rom 12:6 MSG
Have you ever had the experience of noticing that the pace of your walking had unknowingly gotten faster to match the drum beat of an upbeat song playing perhaps in a mall store? I find it so interesting that our subconscious mind zeros in on that beat and our body just follows and we don’t even realize it until our minds quiet down and we can focus our attention on the steps we’re taking. And then do you ever try to purposely not walk to the beat after you realized that you were conforming to the song without even knowing it?
It’s not always an easy task to get back to our own natural rhythm, and we can tend to fall right back into the same external pattern or even just let it happen as it may feel good to step along to someone else’s music for a while. But then when you get around to doing what you are there for, such as shopping for a certain outfit, it no longer makes sense to keep setting pace with that music as you must speed up, slow down and stop as you need to so you can accomplish your goal.
This phenomenon leads me to consider how we also can easily and unknowingly over time start living our lives to the beat of someone else’s drum instead of that from the unique song custom written by God and placed inside of us.
The song that rang loud in our hearts as a child when we with no shame did what came naturally and brought us joy.
The same song that brightens up our soul when we are alone dancing around in our living room or singing in our shower in a way we would not dare show another.
The distant song that whispers in our hearts when we are daydreaming about what we really want to do with our lives, but think may be too silly or impossible to do.
The long lost internal song that we have forgotten the lyrics to and no longer play in our spirits because we are so busy living to the external beat that our job, friends, family, community, circumstances, society, media, and experts may pump into the ears of our minds day in and day out–often meaning well, but smothering the faint gasp of our true self that is still holding on for dear life crying out “No! Please listen! Be true to who you are!”
But we either never hear it, write it off as a silly childhood dream, or ignore it as we feel guilty for this seemingly selfish ambition to take care of ourselves and live with freedom, joy, peace and passion as we were made to! Shouldn’t you slap the wrist of your “bad, bad self”?! I think not!
Your personality, your interests, your passions, your talents, your spiritual gifts, your abilities–a specially designed one of a kind blueprint for how you were made to show up in this world with a divine purpose bigger than yourself in mind (Ps 139:13-16; Eph 2:10).
Your seemingly impossible dreams that keep coming up again and again in your heart–a unique way of being the hands of God working in this world to not only touch lives and contribute to society, but to truly enjoy your life as you do what you were made to do and what you love to do most (notice I did not say what you are good at–because that may not always be what you truly love and are passionate about in your core being). (Ecc 3:12) And God wants you to love your life and love being a Christian with all of the abundance that comes along with it! (John 10:10)
Let us be courageous in our pursuit of God’s will for our lives. Moving beyond just practical Christian living to truly victorious Christian living that comes when we become and fulfill all that God purposed for us–true Christian success! Step by step, as we search God’s Word for Biblical wisdom, seek God’s voice for spiritual wisdom, and make daily choices to listen and obey–no matter how foolish the world around us may think it seems–we will hear that song loud and clear again. Trust it. Do not fear the unknown path it may lead you on, for God is with you every step of the way.
And if you find that you are not sure how to go it alone or want someone to partner with you to keep you true to your goal, Christian Life Coaching may be just what you need to find the beat of your own life’s drum and come up with customized workable strategies to get on a path to being who you truly are and doing what you were made to do and enjoy the journey!
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
1. Who are you when you are alone? Does this same person show up when with other people? at work? at church? Or do you keep your authentic self tucked away for a rainy day by yourself? How would you feel if you would just be real all the time?
2. What dream do you have for your life’s work? How would life be different if you were on your way to living that dream?
3. What in your life right now just does not fit who you really are or what you really want? If nothing stood in your way, what would you do to start changing it today? How can you take courageous small steps that will help the situation improve and get you on the path to fulfillment in that area?
4. If God is calling you out to walk on the waters of change and you’re still staying in the boat, then what internal block or external obstacle may be keeping you from getting into action? What is the cost you might be paying for not obeying God’s call? Who can support you in moving forward once and for all?
Song Inside of Me
In the dance of life, favorite songs don’t always play.
And the partners of choice don’t always lead the right way.
But just when I feel I’m ready to give up this dance,
I hear Your song saying leave nothing to chance.
And then I know
It’s not what the band plays, you see,
For the song is inside of me.
Music of salt, Words of light,
Melodies that set my soul to flight.
God of truth, let Your songs ring.
I rejoice for the freedom they bring.
In the race of life, the course is winding and steep.
I long to finish, yet my footage is hard to keep.
But just when I tire and long to quit this race,
I hear Your song telling of the mystery I need to embrace.
And then I know
It’s not for the crowd to sing victory,
For the song is inside of me.
Music of salt, Words of light,
Melodies that set my soul to flight.
God of truth, let Your songs ring.
I rejoice for the freedom they bring.
I hear Your song telling me this is the way.
And then I know
Faced with life’s questions, I’ll be
Listening to Your song inside of me.
Blessed by Intrusion
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.~1 Cor 2:13 NIV
My post today is inspired by a post written by Carol Gerrish, Leadership Coach, on the Spirited Leaders blog titled “Not so Nice” that states:
“Extreme niceness bugs me too. It sucks the juice out of conversations … talking about the weather can only take you so far. It limits our capability for success … people hold back ideas and suggestions, rather than risk rocking the boat. And it caps my spiritual growth … I’m denied the connected, deeply caring relationships where real discovery and growth can take place.”
I agree with Carol when she says, “it caps my spiritual growth”. We shy away from the very things that we should be addressing to bring us closer to holy living. We put off for tomorrow the conversations we should have with others today. And tomorrow becomes never. We ignore or simply don’t hear the soft whispers of the Spirit nudging us to step out fearlessly in God-confidence and be Jesus’ comforting or even challenging voice to others. We even put off conversations we know we ought to have with ourselves so that we can confront our own truths and lies and shed our burdens and sins.
I know that we all at times hold our tongue out of concern of being thought of negatively, rejected, embarrassed, or even because we just don’t feel like dealing with or getting involved in a situation. And sometimes we are truly busy or caught up in our own struggles and innocently overlook opportunities to engage in life-changing interactions with other people. But when we remain superficial or simply avoid, are we truly being present as we are called to as Christians?
I tire of responding, “fine” or “good” if I really am not. I often just ponder on how we have become so busy, self-conscious and focused on our own lives that we have desensitized ourselves to that which should be compelling us to be the heart of Christ to one another. when someone asks how I am doing and I am having a rough day, I often want to just say, “You know, today has been a hard day. I’m actually not doing so well. I’m struggling with such and such.” But often there is that awkwardness of not knowing whether someone is really interested in the details. And then when you take a risk and do speak your truth, sometimes it is not truly listened or responded to–or if it is, there’s no follow-up and you ask yourself if you are really important to them or was that “so nice” smile just a formality.
Even in our churches–whether leaders or members, we are so busy “doing” what we planned and think we must that we forget about “being” who we ought to be to one another. It is said that our words can hurt, but our silence can sometimes hurt more. It is so true that the truth can set you free, but many of us are in bondage because we hold our truths inside or do not allow opportunity for truth to come in–from God or from those God may be leading to speak to us. I want to hear much more than just “how’s the weather” conversations echoing through the church buildings and passing down from chair to chair around the table at small group potlucks. I want to know how people’s “spiritual weather” is doing–what storms they’re facing and how we can find shelter together, what clouds are clearing and how we can find the rainbows above them.
I’m sure that lots of people thought of Jesus as “not so nice”. When the Father led Him, He did not let that hinder his purpose. When He asked questions or made statements to people, He sought that which was beyond the “what” of the person or topic and reached into the depths of the “who”, beyond our humanity to our spirituality. Just looking in my Bible’s index, there are tons of times where He begins speaking with “I tell you the truth…” Jesus was a truth speaker. He did not only rock the boat, but He called others to step out of the boat! Now, I’m not saying that there isn’t a time or a place for “talking about the weather”, but as Christians, we do need to be tuned in to hear God’s spiritual wisdom and use discernment and loving boldness to make our interactions with others not only of worldly value, but of spiritual value–being truth speakers, helping to lead them and ourselves further down the path to victorious Christian living.
On Toby Mac’s CD “Portable Sounds”, the song called “Face of the Earth” states, “real friends are willing to intrude so I’m gonna push in ’cause I wanna love you well.” So many of us get offended when friends “stick their noses into our business”. But I believe that Christian brothers and sisters have been called to the role of “nose-sticking”. Of course not judging or telling–but walking beside, sharing insights and observations, challenging and correcting gently. We must stop thinking of all that we ought to say in silence and then not say it, letting situations that God potentially meant for our connection and growth and His glorification slip away.
Jesus says in John 15:15, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” And his tender intrusion into our lives is what makes us see truth, grow on to maturity and move closer to experiencing true fulfillment as we become who we were made to be and witness God’s beautiful divine plan. And part of that plan is our honest, deep connectedness with fellow believers that enhances our strength and potential, creating more personal and spiritual victories in our lives–truly successful Christian living! So when we speak into other people’s lives, let us speak with words taught to us by the wisdom of the Spirit, even if it seems ”not so nice” in our human wisdom.
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
1. What truths is God laying on your heart to speak more regularly in your conversations with others? What are you naturally passionate about in your spiritual life that you feel called to share with others, but have been keeping silent about?
2. Who do you feel like you could intentionally make a deeper connection with? to impact their lives? to impact yours?
3. In what situations have you not been your true, authentic self? How might you living your truth set you free? How can your truth be of valuable service in your family? workplace? church? community? If you fear or are uncomfortable showing this truth, who can help you get to the source of this obstacle–your pastor? a life coach? a friend? a mentor?
Shut In…Shut Out
Shut in…with my own thoughts.
Shut out…longing for their thoughts to be with me.
Shut in…with my own body.
Shut out…far from the body that can set me free.
Shut in…locked away from my community.
Shut out…separated from those with whom I need unity.
Shut in…why won’t anyone my phone ring?
Shut out…they must be busy working.
Shut in…why won’t anyone on my door knock?
Shut out…they must have lost track of the clock.
Shut in…why won’t anyone to my mailbox write?
Shut out…they must not feel my plight.
Shut in…with Spirit, Father and Son.
Shut out…by each and every other one.
Shut in…these walls I am hidden behind.
Shut out…out of sight, out of mind.
Shut in…what if the tables would turn?
Shut out…is this a lesson we must live to learn?
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
Have you ever felt this way? Are you feeling this way now? We shouldn’t have to feel this way as part of the body of Christ. Who do you know who may be feeling like this? How can you be the voice, heart, hands and feet of Jesus to them?
