Mediocre or medium okra? ...can 'em BOTH!
so...i went to the conference over Christmas break. let's just say WOW! besides being challenging, encouraging, overwhelming and etc...it was a breather for me spiritual to take a moment away from the ritual life stuff and reflect a little on where God had brought me this last semester and where He wants to take me this semester.
Prophesy was one thing that has been milling in my mind for a while and it was the first night of the conference that i specifically asked God to give me the gift of prophesy so that i would be able to exhort and encourage the believers around me at the conference. Well, cool thing was - God did! but let me just clarify, i wasn't going around to everyone and speaking words of knowledge, no...there was actually only three specific individuals that i was given clear words for. But just having the mindset of encouraging those around me and looking intentionally for ways to reach out - that is what i will remember from the conference. It radically transformed my mind! i'm generally a selfish, prideful person, and self-less love is one thing that i really want to become good at - so that it is natural and easy. And i figure i could use some practice...
so, i decided for the next 40 days i would intentionally seek out ways to actively live my faith out as a Christ follower through acts of self-less love.
meet my new best friend...MOLDABLE! this has pretty much been my moto these last 22 days. i am over half way there and it is SO ENCOURAGING watching God taking little mediocre me and changing my heart to have a bigger passion for the dead, a softer, more caring spirit toward my family, a love for the people of Manhattan, and stronger desire to see His name spread among the world. one of my worst fears is getting so stuck in my ways/the rituals of life/motions of living/schedule etc that i can no longer be used by God because i have been chucked into autopilot (probably b/c i have seen too many Christians around me do this). i want to continue to have feelings and a deep love for my Savior...i want to continue to periodically break down into tears for the lost and hurting...i want to continue to have an excitement for those new believers that are growing in their faith and eager to learn...i want to continue to have a respect for the godly men and women that have gone before me to example character and perseverance on the front lines...i want to continue to have spontaneous/random conversations with people that God places in my path...i want to exhort my brothers and sisters...i desire these things for my life b/c i know that God is with me. i am a child of God and have the power of the Holy Spirit! He never changes ... but i hope that i do. May i change everyday more and more like the Father. No more mediocre. Light me on fire and charge the flame! even if my candle is small - (inspired from the words of A.W.TOzer) it is still a flame and can light other's that will burn bigger and brighter than mine. So i will continue...to love...selflessly.
Prophesy was one thing that has been milling in my mind for a while and it was the first night of the conference that i specifically asked God to give me the gift of prophesy so that i would be able to exhort and encourage the believers around me at the conference. Well, cool thing was - God did! but let me just clarify, i wasn't going around to everyone and speaking words of knowledge, no...there was actually only three specific individuals that i was given clear words for. But just having the mindset of encouraging those around me and looking intentionally for ways to reach out - that is what i will remember from the conference. It radically transformed my mind! i'm generally a selfish, prideful person, and self-less love is one thing that i really want to become good at - so that it is natural and easy. And i figure i could use some practice...
so, i decided for the next 40 days i would intentionally seek out ways to actively live my faith out as a Christ follower through acts of self-less love.
meet my new best friend...MOLDABLE! this has pretty much been my moto these last 22 days. i am over half way there and it is SO ENCOURAGING watching God taking little mediocre me and changing my heart to have a bigger passion for the dead, a softer, more caring spirit toward my family, a love for the people of Manhattan, and stronger desire to see His name spread among the world. one of my worst fears is getting so stuck in my ways/the rituals of life/motions of living/schedule etc that i can no longer be used by God because i have been chucked into autopilot (probably b/c i have seen too many Christians around me do this). i want to continue to have feelings and a deep love for my Savior...i want to continue to periodically break down into tears for the lost and hurting...i want to continue to have an excitement for those new believers that are growing in their faith and eager to learn...i want to continue to have a respect for the godly men and women that have gone before me to example character and perseverance on the front lines...i want to continue to have spontaneous/random conversations with people that God places in my path...i want to exhort my brothers and sisters...i desire these things for my life b/c i know that God is with me. i am a child of God and have the power of the Holy Spirit! He never changes ... but i hope that i do. May i change everyday more and more like the Father. No more mediocre. Light me on fire and charge the flame! even if my candle is small - (inspired from the words of A.W.TOzer) it is still a flame and can light other's that will burn bigger and brighter than mine. So i will continue...to love...selflessly.
Yay Janalee!! This is good. It's true. I've been watching other christians around me get stuck in the mundane day to day routine stuff and it's yucky if we don't step outside of ourselves and our lives to listen for Him. I've been guilty of doing it in the past... and I DO NOT want to go back. Afterall... he is the reason we live. :) Let's hang out soon.
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