This is going to be one of those posts that may seem kind of scattered. I'm going to try and bring it to a nice conclusion but I'm just going to start writing and see how it goes.
This week, the epic film Noah came out. I have to admit I paid attention to every Facebook post or article that came out about it. I checked out the critical reviews and read a bunch of friends thoughts on the movie. It made me want to see it. Like really bad. I still haven't. I think it is hilarious how people go from one extreme to the other to defend or discredit something like this. I love books and movies. I enjoy a great film. Especially a film based on a great book. (I'm kind of a fan girl when it comes to Hunger Games). Even though I haven't seen Noah yet, I find it interesting that many of my fellow believers either loved it or hated it. Personally, I believe expectations on a Biblically accurate movie done on such a large scale should be extremely low. Hollywood tends to spin or corrupt anything close to Christian or Bible based. However, people's perspectives are so different and it has been interesting to listen or read about it. I think what it comes down to is, decide for yourself. Oh, and make sure that you read the Biblical account first. Then it will be like going to a movie that is based on a book. If it's way off then it's way off. You shouldn't have super high expectations. If it's pretty close then, Hooray! Maybe there is hope that Hollywood may have unbiased directors and producers (although I highly doubt the latter) .
Hey I'm just being honest. This has got to be one of my least favorite excuses as of late. Months ago, I had b written an entire blog about honesty. I was super intense about it but felt like I was coming on strong. I didn't publish it. So here goes the abbreviated version. This has become a huge pet peeve of mine. Honesty is important, it's essential for trust, for love, for friendship, for work environments. I'm all about honesty. People who know me know that I tend to be honest to a fault. I would rather be truthful the not. The pet peeve part of this comes in when people use honesty as an excuse. I'm a horrible person but at least I'm being honest about it. Soooooo you think that gets you off the hook? Because your being honest about it? That is so noble. So good of you to admit that. Now what? The problem with saying, At least I'm being honest, is that there is no intention to change whatever it is your being honest about. It's a big old cop out. Honesty is the best policy after all. However by saying that, individuals are lying to themselves. They are pulling the wool over their eyes. They are trying to cover themselves with a general excuse that doesn't really make them a better or a honest person. So, the point of this little rant? Stop trying to be so honest when honestly you have no intention to be better than you are. I'm not saying lie, I'm saying keep your mouth shut. I don't want to hear your honest assessment of yourself if your not going to try and change. That may have seemed harsh but honesty and true confession truly works with the intention to change, using it as an excuse is lame. I can be honest about my laziness, but I'm not going to try and make it all right by saying so. I'm going to strive to make myself better.
Identity. This is the best part about my entire week. This weekend I had the opportunity to lead worship at a women's conference. It was great. I love music, I love singing to and about God, and I love helping other people do it. While there, the speaker talked a lot about identity. Who am I? It is hard to take an honest look inside and face yourself. So often we are so many things. Different phases of life bring different roles. Sister, brother, friend, wife, husband, parent, coworker, student...who am I right now? Who am I supposed to be, how do I prioritize. The speaker talked about how a big move, forced her to look at her identity. Her husband's job changed and so they had to move which changed her job situation. It put her in a place where she was really evaluating her worth. I was profoundly moved because I feel like I go through that all the time. I'm Bill Kenna's wife, I'm Gordon and Becky's daughter, I'm Caleb, Riley, and Carson's mother. I'm Jered and Joel's sister. All of those id's are great but to God, I'm just Erica. He knew me before I was born. He loved me when He knew all my flaws and all my failures, all my talents and triumphs. It is in Him that I find out who I really am, and who He always intended me to be. I have struggled with the idea that I'm not the most beautiful or smart or talented. In my insecurities, I have been quicker to look at the negative and not the positive and yet... this is who God made me. His plan was perfect for me, even in my imperfection. God doesn't see me through the expectations of my society. He doesn't see me through a religious expectation. He's sees His creation. He's sees how to perfect it. That's why, I have to go after Him. How am I ever going to become what I'm supposed to be without my creator. What a relief to know that I haven't arrived yet. That my identity is not set in stone, that I don't have to use the excuse "I'm just being honest." I will become so much more than I am right now. I will become the picture that God is meticulously painting right now. When all is complete I'll be who I'm supposed to be. Who I am can be summed up when I've reached my home and can honestly look back and say, "God, that was what you saw all along?" What a joy to be living a journey. To be creating a story. To have the perfect author, to be myself.
Well, that's it. pretty much a week of thoughts and experiences summed up. Noah, what a guy, He obeyed and knew God. His identity may have been the guy who built a big boat and saved a bunch of animals. In the grand scheme of things, He obeyed God and was an instrument to foreshadow salvation and the power of God. Is that what your life might be used for? Honestly assess who you are and your identity. Strive, to become all that God wants for you, because like Noah, He may use you to transform the world.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Hated
When I was growing up, my mom used to correct us whenever we said we hated anything. She would lovingly say, "Erica, hate is a very strong word." I find that these days, hate is thrown around just as much as love is. I love you, I hate you. I love that, I hate that. They are important words that are used so frequently that we forget their actual meaning. Words are powerful and we are foolish to forget that. However, I'm not here to talk about words.
Recently, I have watched the world turn on people, calling those who don't hate, haters. I have read many an article about equality and love and acceptance. Except, usually those articles leave out one group of people. Those Christians, they hate everyone. I'm not going to defend Christians everywhere because I know that the Church and Christianity as a whole have made mistakes. They have not always promoted the love of Christ as they are called to. I find it frustrating when critics roll all Christians up into a stereotypical ball however and call them haters. Really?
Our church weekly gives free food to the poor by hosting our regional food bank. During thanksgiving, the people in our church sacrifice their own Thanksgiving's with their families to work all night prepping and making thanksgiving for the needy and elderly people in our community. Every year we host summer outreaches to tell people we love them and are there for them. Our pastor preaches love and acceptance every week from the pulpit, inviting people to open their hearts and minds to the possibility of a God who loves them. My husband has spent half of his life sharing the love of God with people. Not condemning or pointing fingers at them but simply sharing the truth that God loves them and wants them.
Haters.
We have seen people saved from lives of abuse and drugs and families restored just because they decided to believe in a guy named Jesus. The only place I have seen hate promoted is from a media who is bent on twisting the truth of what true Christianity really means.
The promotion of hate against Christians has begun. Do I get it? At first, I can honestly say I didn't understand it. I have never tried to hate anyone. I have always tried to love and accept people because that is what Jesus did for me. Have I made mistakes, absolutely. Have I been ignorant, yes I have. However, the nature of faith in Jesus is not to stay the same but to love more, to learn more, to sacrifice more. My prayer lately has been, Lord, reveal to me any areas in my life where I have acted out of hate and not out of love.
What this comes down to is, do I accept sin or not? The answer to this question is no. I can't. Jesus accepted sin when He allowed all of the sin of the world to be placed on Him through His death on the cross. He didn't condone it. Every time He healed someone, He declared, Go and sin no more. When He was confronted with the woman caught in adultery, He addressed hypocrisy but saying, You that are without sin, cast the first stone. They all walked away and then He looked at the woman and declared, Go and sin no more. I'm not here to point out people's sin, but I'm not going to accept it either. I can't accept my own sin why would I accept anyone else's. That is why I'm going to be hated.
When I chose Jesus, I chose not to belong to the world anymore. Not to go with the flow or walk the broad road. Rather here I am, on the narrow road. Here I am holding on to Christ. Here I am embracing the truth that the world hates me. My acceptance and worth doesn't come from what the people around me think, but what God thinks. As infuriating as it is to watch Christians placed on a negative pedestal and "crucified" for what they believe in, this is normal. This is reality. This is what it means to be hated. I never thought I would see the day in my own country where this would be the case but now that its here, I have begun to understand. It has strengthened my resolve to do two things. To believe more confidently in Jesus Christ and to love people more. I am done fighting with people. Done trying to prove anything. I'm done getting up in arms. If Jesus said I would be hated, then the idea that everyone is going to accept me is a boldface lie. So I'd rather be hated and in love with Jesus, then loved and lost.
Recently, I have watched the world turn on people, calling those who don't hate, haters. I have read many an article about equality and love and acceptance. Except, usually those articles leave out one group of people. Those Christians, they hate everyone. I'm not going to defend Christians everywhere because I know that the Church and Christianity as a whole have made mistakes. They have not always promoted the love of Christ as they are called to. I find it frustrating when critics roll all Christians up into a stereotypical ball however and call them haters. Really?
Our church weekly gives free food to the poor by hosting our regional food bank. During thanksgiving, the people in our church sacrifice their own Thanksgiving's with their families to work all night prepping and making thanksgiving for the needy and elderly people in our community. Every year we host summer outreaches to tell people we love them and are there for them. Our pastor preaches love and acceptance every week from the pulpit, inviting people to open their hearts and minds to the possibility of a God who loves them. My husband has spent half of his life sharing the love of God with people. Not condemning or pointing fingers at them but simply sharing the truth that God loves them and wants them.
Haters.
We have seen people saved from lives of abuse and drugs and families restored just because they decided to believe in a guy named Jesus. The only place I have seen hate promoted is from a media who is bent on twisting the truth of what true Christianity really means.
The promotion of hate against Christians has begun. Do I get it? At first, I can honestly say I didn't understand it. I have never tried to hate anyone. I have always tried to love and accept people because that is what Jesus did for me. Have I made mistakes, absolutely. Have I been ignorant, yes I have. However, the nature of faith in Jesus is not to stay the same but to love more, to learn more, to sacrifice more. My prayer lately has been, Lord, reveal to me any areas in my life where I have acted out of hate and not out of love.
What this comes down to is, do I accept sin or not? The answer to this question is no. I can't. Jesus accepted sin when He allowed all of the sin of the world to be placed on Him through His death on the cross. He didn't condone it. Every time He healed someone, He declared, Go and sin no more. When He was confronted with the woman caught in adultery, He addressed hypocrisy but saying, You that are without sin, cast the first stone. They all walked away and then He looked at the woman and declared, Go and sin no more. I'm not here to point out people's sin, but I'm not going to accept it either. I can't accept my own sin why would I accept anyone else's. That is why I'm going to be hated.
The bible says in John 15:18,19; If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
When I chose Jesus, I chose not to belong to the world anymore. Not to go with the flow or walk the broad road. Rather here I am, on the narrow road. Here I am holding on to Christ. Here I am embracing the truth that the world hates me. My acceptance and worth doesn't come from what the people around me think, but what God thinks. As infuriating as it is to watch Christians placed on a negative pedestal and "crucified" for what they believe in, this is normal. This is reality. This is what it means to be hated. I never thought I would see the day in my own country where this would be the case but now that its here, I have begun to understand. It has strengthened my resolve to do two things. To believe more confidently in Jesus Christ and to love people more. I am done fighting with people. Done trying to prove anything. I'm done getting up in arms. If Jesus said I would be hated, then the idea that everyone is going to accept me is a boldface lie. So I'd rather be hated and in love with Jesus, then loved and lost.
Matthew 5:10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs
Monday, March 17, 2014
Sunday Morning Society
Recently, I was doing a Bible study with one of the young women in our church. We were studying the basics of faith and Christianity. When we got to the chapter that described the Church and its mission, I was extremely frustrated. As we were talking, it started to dawn on me that the American Church as a whole has got this thing all wrong. Don't misunderstand me, I don't think all churches miss the mark when it comes to what its supposed to look like. However, as a whole I was increasingly frustrated at the Biblical definition of the church as compared to our definition.
Let me start by saying, the American church has begun to look like a social club, with social ideas, and motto's. It has begun to have crazy requirements and rituals. It has become picky and choosy. It kind of sounds like a sorority. You have to pledge a certain set of values, you have to meet certain requirements, and you have to perform certain rituals. It has become easier for people to say "Why bother if I can't possibly meet those standards?" When people walk into to the church, often they are confronted with the same old cliques. The same feelings of inadequacy that often can be found in the high school cafeteria. Eek. This may seem extreme for me to be saying. Honestly, I love my church and I love the people in it. As a minister it is often easy not to see where the church has fallen short but it only took a couple Biblical examples for me to realize...we are missing it.
As me and my friend sat studying the Bible, she told me a little bit about when she worked as a nanny for many Jewish families. She talked about how reverent they were towards their faith, she told me how close knit they were, and she told me how they shared everything. That reminded me of the culture that our faith was born out of.
Acts 2:42-47 "42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
In Jesus' time, this is how people were. They weren't concerned about what people looked like, how much money they had, what their background was. They were all Christians. They showed a different example then what was in the world. They didn't allow the negative aspects of their society or there outward circumstances to form their church, they allow the love of God to. They recognized the importance of fellowship, of staying together, of not letting stuff separate them. I'm sure that everyone wasn't perfect and that not everyone got along all the time. However, they had purpose and focus. So lets break this down.
First, they studied the Word of God, did communion, and prayed. In the church we usually have this one down. We go to church every Sunday and hear the message preached, we pray, and worship together. Of course we remember by celebrating communion. However, often the message and its purpose stops as we walk out the church doors. The things we learn and the sacrifice we remember stays at church, while we go on living our lives the way we want to. No surrender or acknowledgment of God in our everyday lives. Down in verse 46, it says they met together everyday. They spent time at the temple everyday to do these things. Now I get that we can't all be at church everyday and we don't all have those kind of schedules. Yet we need to maintain these things in our lives and in our families every day.
Next, they shared with one another. They were generous, they were compassionate, and they helped met each other's needs. They came together to help the widows and orphans. They were focused on taking care of one another. That is what the people around them recognized the most about these Christians. It wasn't just the great preaching or music or the teaching, it was the way they took care of each other. They didn't pick and choose who they were going to care for. They saw the need, they pulled together, and they met it. Are we doing this in our churches? Do we come together in one accord and ask sincerely, what are the needs of the people in our church and in our community? How can we meet these needs? Some people have the financial ability. Some people have the educational ability. Some people have the time. Everyone has something to offer. If we could just come and work together.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 "12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
Lastly, they hung out. They simply got together and enjoyed each other's company. They were not alone in their faith. They spent time getting to know one another. They probably laughed, sang, played games, watched each other's kids. They didn't go at it alone. They didn't say things like "I love that person but I don't really like them." They shared in each other's struggles and triumphs. They did life together. I've heard that phrase a lot recently. They embraced and lived life together as one body. I know not all personalities mesh, and I know that cultures often collide and misunderstand each other, but we are not just personalities and not just cultures. We are Christ followers. That should be the glue that binds us together. Not just because we agree all the time or because we like each other all the time. We love Jesus. That should be enough of a reason to cast all the other stuff aside and embrace one another. That should be the prerequisite to this club. When people who don't know Jesus see us like this, they will want to be a part of it.
Verse 47, says that people were added to the church daily. That's not a couple members a year. That's thousands of members every year. We need the amazing power of God through prayer and His word. We need to see signs and wonders. I would also venture to say that we need to get the practical life stuff down. People shouldn't be afraid to be who they are when they walk into church on Sunday. They shouldn't have to say things like, "when I get my life together then I'll come to church" we need to be transformed into a Church that accepts all and even more than that accepts each other.
God bless! Go and change your Church!
Let me start by saying, the American church has begun to look like a social club, with social ideas, and motto's. It has begun to have crazy requirements and rituals. It has become picky and choosy. It kind of sounds like a sorority. You have to pledge a certain set of values, you have to meet certain requirements, and you have to perform certain rituals. It has become easier for people to say "Why bother if I can't possibly meet those standards?" When people walk into to the church, often they are confronted with the same old cliques. The same feelings of inadequacy that often can be found in the high school cafeteria. Eek. This may seem extreme for me to be saying. Honestly, I love my church and I love the people in it. As a minister it is often easy not to see where the church has fallen short but it only took a couple Biblical examples for me to realize...we are missing it.
As me and my friend sat studying the Bible, she told me a little bit about when she worked as a nanny for many Jewish families. She talked about how reverent they were towards their faith, she told me how close knit they were, and she told me how they shared everything. That reminded me of the culture that our faith was born out of.
Acts 2:42-47 "42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
In Jesus' time, this is how people were. They weren't concerned about what people looked like, how much money they had, what their background was. They were all Christians. They showed a different example then what was in the world. They didn't allow the negative aspects of their society or there outward circumstances to form their church, they allow the love of God to. They recognized the importance of fellowship, of staying together, of not letting stuff separate them. I'm sure that everyone wasn't perfect and that not everyone got along all the time. However, they had purpose and focus. So lets break this down.
First, they studied the Word of God, did communion, and prayed. In the church we usually have this one down. We go to church every Sunday and hear the message preached, we pray, and worship together. Of course we remember by celebrating communion. However, often the message and its purpose stops as we walk out the church doors. The things we learn and the sacrifice we remember stays at church, while we go on living our lives the way we want to. No surrender or acknowledgment of God in our everyday lives. Down in verse 46, it says they met together everyday. They spent time at the temple everyday to do these things. Now I get that we can't all be at church everyday and we don't all have those kind of schedules. Yet we need to maintain these things in our lives and in our families every day.
Next, they shared with one another. They were generous, they were compassionate, and they helped met each other's needs. They came together to help the widows and orphans. They were focused on taking care of one another. That is what the people around them recognized the most about these Christians. It wasn't just the great preaching or music or the teaching, it was the way they took care of each other. They didn't pick and choose who they were going to care for. They saw the need, they pulled together, and they met it. Are we doing this in our churches? Do we come together in one accord and ask sincerely, what are the needs of the people in our church and in our community? How can we meet these needs? Some people have the financial ability. Some people have the educational ability. Some people have the time. Everyone has something to offer. If we could just come and work together.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 "12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
Lastly, they hung out. They simply got together and enjoyed each other's company. They were not alone in their faith. They spent time getting to know one another. They probably laughed, sang, played games, watched each other's kids. They didn't go at it alone. They didn't say things like "I love that person but I don't really like them." They shared in each other's struggles and triumphs. They did life together. I've heard that phrase a lot recently. They embraced and lived life together as one body. I know not all personalities mesh, and I know that cultures often collide and misunderstand each other, but we are not just personalities and not just cultures. We are Christ followers. That should be the glue that binds us together. Not just because we agree all the time or because we like each other all the time. We love Jesus. That should be enough of a reason to cast all the other stuff aside and embrace one another. That should be the prerequisite to this club. When people who don't know Jesus see us like this, they will want to be a part of it.
Verse 47, says that people were added to the church daily. That's not a couple members a year. That's thousands of members every year. We need the amazing power of God through prayer and His word. We need to see signs and wonders. I would also venture to say that we need to get the practical life stuff down. People shouldn't be afraid to be who they are when they walk into church on Sunday. They shouldn't have to say things like, "when I get my life together then I'll come to church" we need to be transformed into a Church that accepts all and even more than that accepts each other.
God bless! Go and change your Church!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Blind spot
The first new car that Bill and I ever bought, that required a car payment, was our PT Cruiser. It was electric blue and I loved it. It was reliable and we put a lot of miles on it until we sold it last year. I don't have anything negative to say about the car, except that it had the worst blind spots. I cut off a bunch of people, on accident. Whenever I looked behind me to check my right side it was nearly impossible to see anything. I couldn't get an accurate view of what was going on behind me. It was scary on the highway, it was nerve racking in traffic, and it made driving the car a little risky.
I've been thinking a lot about blind spots in life. Lately I have analyzed our lives in ministry. I have begun to realize that people have spiritual weaknesses that can cause extremely risky behavior. It can be something that they are totally unaware of. It can be something they chose to ignore. It can be something that they downplay because they don't think it is a big deal. A lot of the time, the only way to see over the obstruction is to take a good hard look inside.
It takes courage and faith. Let's face it, no one wants to admit what their weaknesses are, whether they are big or small, major or minor. The reality is we all have them. One of mine, is when I have had a breakthrough in my life. I have worked really hard and finally accomplished something, or have seen a big challenge through. It is when I sit down feeling victorious and accomplished that I let my guard down. I rest too long, thinking that the feeling of accomplishment will last forever. Then, I open my eyes and realize that I missed something. I could have kept going and accomplished more. I could have started something new while in that moment of elation. I'm not saying its wrong to rest after a huge battle is won. Its just that being ready to get up and go at it again is where I seem to falter. I always realize after the fact and feel like kicking myself. I couldn't see the value of riding that wave of success.
So how do we deal with blind spots in our lives? How can we overcome these areas that seem to trip us up? How can we avoid a traffic hazard?
First, I think honest prayer is essential. Its hard to ask God to show you something about yourself. Coming to God about our weaknesses is not always easy. We want to present ourselves to God with no faults. Often we forget His grace and mercy. It is also a form of confession. Admitting to God that we don't have it all together. Confessing that we need Him to show us where we might be falling short. It can be painful, because God WILL answer this prayer. He will show you where you need to change. In fact, He wants to show you so that He can give you the power to change it. That's the best part, He won't show you your mistakes and then leave you alone to deal with them. He'll show you His grace and help you to make it right.
Romans 8:26 says "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us." You don't have to deal with yourself alone.
Next, ask someone you trust. The Bible says that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Its a metaphor for how friendship works. The ability to ask a close friend what they think is risky. You are putting trust on the line. However a true friend can give you a clearer view of what you may not see (Proverbs 27:6). It's like having someone ride shotgun with you. If someone was in the front seat next to me while I was driving the cruiser, I could always ask them to double check that blind spot. I knew that they could see what I could not. It helped me to avoid many a collision. Make sure you have those kind of people in your life. God will use them to answer your prayer to Him. Proverbs 27: 9 says "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."
Lastly, you need to be able to admit you have those areas that can derail you. After asking God, after asking a friend, its up to you to say "Yeah, I need to change that." The ball will end up in your court. You can choose to deal with it, to make an effort to be aware of that part of yourself, or you can ignore it. I've witnessed both scenarios. When people decide to ignore it, its tragic. Mistakes are made, wrong paths are chosen, and choices have negative consequences. When people adjust, no matter how painful or difficult it may be to face, they grow, they avoid pitfalls, they become better. Song of Solomon 2:15 talks about catching the small foxes that spoil the vineyard. You have to get rid of the little things that nip at you. The small or large issues that hold you back. They keep you from growing, from bearing good fruit. From being a whole, successful person.
So what's your blind spot? Do you have any idea? Are you willing to find out? If you want to see your life transformed, begin by asking these questions prayerfully. That is a good place to start. Its not just about surrender its about recognizing who you are. Be blessed! God has so much for you, get on your knees and find out what it is.
I've been thinking a lot about blind spots in life. Lately I have analyzed our lives in ministry. I have begun to realize that people have spiritual weaknesses that can cause extremely risky behavior. It can be something that they are totally unaware of. It can be something they chose to ignore. It can be something that they downplay because they don't think it is a big deal. A lot of the time, the only way to see over the obstruction is to take a good hard look inside.
It takes courage and faith. Let's face it, no one wants to admit what their weaknesses are, whether they are big or small, major or minor. The reality is we all have them. One of mine, is when I have had a breakthrough in my life. I have worked really hard and finally accomplished something, or have seen a big challenge through. It is when I sit down feeling victorious and accomplished that I let my guard down. I rest too long, thinking that the feeling of accomplishment will last forever. Then, I open my eyes and realize that I missed something. I could have kept going and accomplished more. I could have started something new while in that moment of elation. I'm not saying its wrong to rest after a huge battle is won. Its just that being ready to get up and go at it again is where I seem to falter. I always realize after the fact and feel like kicking myself. I couldn't see the value of riding that wave of success.
So how do we deal with blind spots in our lives? How can we overcome these areas that seem to trip us up? How can we avoid a traffic hazard?
First, I think honest prayer is essential. Its hard to ask God to show you something about yourself. Coming to God about our weaknesses is not always easy. We want to present ourselves to God with no faults. Often we forget His grace and mercy. It is also a form of confession. Admitting to God that we don't have it all together. Confessing that we need Him to show us where we might be falling short. It can be painful, because God WILL answer this prayer. He will show you where you need to change. In fact, He wants to show you so that He can give you the power to change it. That's the best part, He won't show you your mistakes and then leave you alone to deal with them. He'll show you His grace and help you to make it right.
Romans 8:26 says "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us." You don't have to deal with yourself alone.
Next, ask someone you trust. The Bible says that iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Its a metaphor for how friendship works. The ability to ask a close friend what they think is risky. You are putting trust on the line. However a true friend can give you a clearer view of what you may not see (Proverbs 27:6). It's like having someone ride shotgun with you. If someone was in the front seat next to me while I was driving the cruiser, I could always ask them to double check that blind spot. I knew that they could see what I could not. It helped me to avoid many a collision. Make sure you have those kind of people in your life. God will use them to answer your prayer to Him. Proverbs 27: 9 says "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."
Lastly, you need to be able to admit you have those areas that can derail you. After asking God, after asking a friend, its up to you to say "Yeah, I need to change that." The ball will end up in your court. You can choose to deal with it, to make an effort to be aware of that part of yourself, or you can ignore it. I've witnessed both scenarios. When people decide to ignore it, its tragic. Mistakes are made, wrong paths are chosen, and choices have negative consequences. When people adjust, no matter how painful or difficult it may be to face, they grow, they avoid pitfalls, they become better. Song of Solomon 2:15 talks about catching the small foxes that spoil the vineyard. You have to get rid of the little things that nip at you. The small or large issues that hold you back. They keep you from growing, from bearing good fruit. From being a whole, successful person.
So what's your blind spot? Do you have any idea? Are you willing to find out? If you want to see your life transformed, begin by asking these questions prayerfully. That is a good place to start. Its not just about surrender its about recognizing who you are. Be blessed! God has so much for you, get on your knees and find out what it is.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
New Title new year
Okay, so I have had a major case of blogger's block. Looking for an identity, and trying to figure out what to write about. I always have a lot going on in my head. Usually I'm pretty random. This is apparent in the frequency of my writing and the subjects I choose to write about. I'm not going to make a new resolution that the trend is going to change. I'm a bipolar blogger. With all that said, I still love writing and sharing. My goal is to write every week. I want to encourage, to tell stories, to share my crazy life, to share my opinions, and most of all to share my faith.
The previous title, Ministry, Motherhood, and the USA was a great start for me, because those are all my main focuses. As I thought about it however, I really wanted a different title. For weeks I have been going over different titles. I researched other blogs and what the author's chose to name them. I couldn't come up with anything original. Nothing was really setting right with me. Even the title I did change it to Transforming Erica, seemed, weird. So sitting here I went to the edit screen and thought well I'm going to leave it blank for now until I get something good. Unfortunately, I couldn't just leave it blank, the screen wouldn't let me. So I typed 'work in progress' in the Title bar. Almost like its under construction. Then as I looked at it, I realized, that's pretty much it. That is my life and my journey. So I decided to go with it. I am a work in progress and in fact we all are. It is a journey that takes many turns, many ups, and many downs. It never really ends. We never stop growing or moving or changing. So that's it. The new title. I hope you stay tuned! Its going to get exciting!
The previous title, Ministry, Motherhood, and the USA was a great start for me, because those are all my main focuses. As I thought about it however, I really wanted a different title. For weeks I have been going over different titles. I researched other blogs and what the author's chose to name them. I couldn't come up with anything original. Nothing was really setting right with me. Even the title I did change it to Transforming Erica, seemed, weird. So sitting here I went to the edit screen and thought well I'm going to leave it blank for now until I get something good. Unfortunately, I couldn't just leave it blank, the screen wouldn't let me. So I typed 'work in progress' in the Title bar. Almost like its under construction. Then as I looked at it, I realized, that's pretty much it. That is my life and my journey. So I decided to go with it. I am a work in progress and in fact we all are. It is a journey that takes many turns, many ups, and many downs. It never really ends. We never stop growing or moving or changing. So that's it. The new title. I hope you stay tuned! Its going to get exciting!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)