During my quiet time this week, God has reminded me of the incredible ways that He uses us in His Kingdom. I have put this scripture on my heart to remind me of why I am here on the Earth.
Isaiah 61 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.[a] 2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come,[b] and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel,[c] he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. 5 Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. 6 You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. 7 Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.
At times, when I have found myself traveling through some the hardest trials and my flesh asks the question, "What is it all for?" I'm reminded that nothing...no part of my story and yours....will be wasted in God's economy. Regardless of whether my pathway is clear...whether I can see up ahead enough to catch my bearings, I was reminded tonight by a precious friend that God's light is truly a "lamp unto my feet." Step by step, He's using every testimony...every trial...every detour...to minister to those whose paths I will soon cross. As much I'd love Him to shine a spotlight up ahead...because I truly don't like to travel in unknown territories...I am realizing more and more that He is writing yet another chapter...to this long, long novel called, "My LIfe," so that He can teach me a lesson that I will in turn share with others.
I cannot help but stand in awe of a God, who is so interested in using us…right where we are…with all of our flaws…to bring the Good News. He could have made us flawless and perfect. He could have made us sinless…but then who would believe in a Higher Power except for the fact that He chose to use me…and you…to make HIS mark in the world? I think when people see us, they sometimes scratch their heads in wonder. It just doesn’t make sense to the world around us.
All I know is that God chose to use us, regardless of how feeble, to accomplish His purposes in this world.
Who better to speak to the broken-hearted…than the one who has watched as pieces of her heart were mended seamlessly together by a Savior’s incredible and infinite love?
Who better to speak to the captive shackled to their past, than the one who has been set free from bondage to dance a dance of hope?
Who better to wipe away the tears, than the one whose tears fell into the loving, nail-scarred palms of a Savior?
Who better to speak of grace, than the one who had it heaped upon them? Who better to speak of love, than the one who was loved unconditionally?
Who better to show the Father to those who are lost, than the one who was found…cleaned up…and placed on the road to Salvation? So, who are you to speak for the Father?
You are the Daughters and Sons, and God will use you in an incredible way to offer others a hope and a future. May God bless you richly and may you be reminded continually of a Sovereign Lord who has not taken His eyes off of you…not for one minute along this journey.
May you continually make your mark on this world for a Savior so willing to shed His blood for you...with no strings attached. May your journey be filled with stories that you will one day share with fellow travelers.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Fresh Wind on My Face
Have you ever wondered if...in the big scheme of our lives what "Fresh Wind" might feel like blowing across your face announcing God's presence? You know when you've felt so hot...and that cool breeze blows across your face? Don't you close your eyes, breathe in deeply and sort of lean into it, to caputre every ounce? That's exactly what I did today as God announced His presence loud and clear.
You see, I've seen this before...I've been down this pathway more times than I can count in ministry....and yet, sometimes in the midst of these detours that we seem to find ourselves on...God shows up and makes sure that beyond a shadow of a doubt that this particular road sign is spotlighted and clearly marked. So today...unlike many others...I stopped along the roadside and really took in the scenery and the signs that I believe that God was trying to show me.
Three things I've been praying in earnest for:
1) That my husband would hear the call that God placed on his life a long time ago louder than any doubt or fear that have stepped in to disguise the voice of Truth and that his heart would be filled with that message;
2) That my precious daughter would find her song once again and sing it with reckless abandon before the throne. That her new song would speak of a God who is continually faithful and has carried us over every hill and down every valley.
3) That my son will find the pathway that God has carved out for him and that he will be fully used in His kingdom.
Of course, I pray for other things... but this seems to be the things I am bringing before the throne lately on an hour to hour basis. I long to hear the voice of God reassuring me that the imaginary celiling that I place on my prayers is lifted and that far beyond that is my loving Father....grabbing hold of every word that leaves my heart as I search for just the right ways to explain what I am feeling. I am thankful for a God who doesn't need me to edit my words as I strive so desperately to do as I put them into a printed message. Today, as God revealed to me that indeed He is along this journey with me and that He not only hears my prayers...but is using those around me to share how very interested He truly is in making sure that we don't miss this message.
Today, as we stood like countless visitors do at a new church, we walked in with hesitation.
Oh, we've been there several times before, but regardless, we're still visiting...we're nomads searching for a new place to pitch our tent. We walked in to the auditorium and my husband went to find our seats. We spotted a friend from our last church and as we were standing there a woman walked up and introduced herself to us. Laura (our friend) began sharing our connection to one another when my husband, Dub, walked up. The woman turned to Dub and said, "At first, I thought I was supposed to pray for your wife, but God kept telling me I needed to pray for you. I asked God that if I was, you were going to need to walk up here to confirm that. You did...and I feel like God is asking me to pray for you right now. Is that ok?' She said before praying, "I think he's asking me to put my hand on your heart because that's where he wants this message to penetrate." She placed her hand on his heart and began praying the words of our hearts. She said that he was called from a very early age to share the gospel. She said that God plans for you speak clearly about promotion...not demotion. She said that parts of his heart had been severed through ministry, but God is healing all those parts with his love. She then took her hand and put it on his head. She said that God is telling her that his head consumes him...that he thinks too much and that God is telling him to let his heart lead his calling. She spoke of expanded borders and territories that reach far beyond that from which he came from. She said that his name would be blessed just like that of Jabez and that his ministry is not over....it's just beginning. As I stood there...she turned to pray for me and said that God has heard you and He wanted to remind you today that he has not let his eyes off of you through this trial. He wants you to reassured and trust him today and be anxious for nothing. As I stood moments later, lifting my hands to God in worship, I couldn't help but cry out to Him with a grateful heart. During this trial, I haven't questioned, argued, or complained (my typical response when the rug has been pulled out from us in ministry). Well, I haven't done it out loud any way....but God, who knows me best and sees beyond the facade that I put up for others, knows the very beat of my heart and when I need him to grab my face to remind me that He is close by...He does!
I am so thankful that today my precious husband was reminded of his calling and that God still has a plan for him to be used in His Kingdom. I am so grateful for a worship time with Christians to see my daughter feel the love of a Savior who cares about every desire of her heart. May we all feel the Fresh Wind of God blow over us reminding us of His presence in the details of our lives!
You see, I've seen this before...I've been down this pathway more times than I can count in ministry....and yet, sometimes in the midst of these detours that we seem to find ourselves on...God shows up and makes sure that beyond a shadow of a doubt that this particular road sign is spotlighted and clearly marked. So today...unlike many others...I stopped along the roadside and really took in the scenery and the signs that I believe that God was trying to show me.
Three things I've been praying in earnest for:
1) That my husband would hear the call that God placed on his life a long time ago louder than any doubt or fear that have stepped in to disguise the voice of Truth and that his heart would be filled with that message;
2) That my precious daughter would find her song once again and sing it with reckless abandon before the throne. That her new song would speak of a God who is continually faithful and has carried us over every hill and down every valley.
3) That my son will find the pathway that God has carved out for him and that he will be fully used in His kingdom.
Of course, I pray for other things... but this seems to be the things I am bringing before the throne lately on an hour to hour basis. I long to hear the voice of God reassuring me that the imaginary celiling that I place on my prayers is lifted and that far beyond that is my loving Father....grabbing hold of every word that leaves my heart as I search for just the right ways to explain what I am feeling. I am thankful for a God who doesn't need me to edit my words as I strive so desperately to do as I put them into a printed message. Today, as God revealed to me that indeed He is along this journey with me and that He not only hears my prayers...but is using those around me to share how very interested He truly is in making sure that we don't miss this message.
Today, as we stood like countless visitors do at a new church, we walked in with hesitation.
Oh, we've been there several times before, but regardless, we're still visiting...we're nomads searching for a new place to pitch our tent. We walked in to the auditorium and my husband went to find our seats. We spotted a friend from our last church and as we were standing there a woman walked up and introduced herself to us. Laura (our friend) began sharing our connection to one another when my husband, Dub, walked up. The woman turned to Dub and said, "At first, I thought I was supposed to pray for your wife, but God kept telling me I needed to pray for you. I asked God that if I was, you were going to need to walk up here to confirm that. You did...and I feel like God is asking me to pray for you right now. Is that ok?' She said before praying, "I think he's asking me to put my hand on your heart because that's where he wants this message to penetrate." She placed her hand on his heart and began praying the words of our hearts. She said that he was called from a very early age to share the gospel. She said that God plans for you speak clearly about promotion...not demotion. She said that parts of his heart had been severed through ministry, but God is healing all those parts with his love. She then took her hand and put it on his head. She said that God is telling her that his head consumes him...that he thinks too much and that God is telling him to let his heart lead his calling. She spoke of expanded borders and territories that reach far beyond that from which he came from. She said that his name would be blessed just like that of Jabez and that his ministry is not over....it's just beginning. As I stood there...she turned to pray for me and said that God has heard you and He wanted to remind you today that he has not let his eyes off of you through this trial. He wants you to reassured and trust him today and be anxious for nothing. As I stood moments later, lifting my hands to God in worship, I couldn't help but cry out to Him with a grateful heart. During this trial, I haven't questioned, argued, or complained (my typical response when the rug has been pulled out from us in ministry). Well, I haven't done it out loud any way....but God, who knows me best and sees beyond the facade that I put up for others, knows the very beat of my heart and when I need him to grab my face to remind me that He is close by...He does!
I am so thankful that today my precious husband was reminded of his calling and that God still has a plan for him to be used in His Kingdom. I am so grateful for a worship time with Christians to see my daughter feel the love of a Savior who cares about every desire of her heart. May we all feel the Fresh Wind of God blow over us reminding us of His presence in the details of our lives!
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