Follow my example

I read a rather bold and nervy statement today. From a well known Christian leader. This person said, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” Quite a statement huh? 

After all it’s not possible is it? Keep your eyes on Jesus, not me. Don’t watch other people, keep your eyes on Jesus. I’ve heard it many times. Hey, I even said it! 

But we can’t dismiss the above statement. Because the Apostle Paul said it in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Yes, it’s in the Bible.

I don’t know about you, but this statement kind of scares me. Can I truly tell someone this? I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know. I really don’t have my act together. I fail at times. The twisted sister inside sometimes rears her ugly head. 

But maybe that’s the problem. As long as I keep my eyes on myself, there’s going to be trouble. I’ll be stumbling around in my self conscious misery, of no affect to others. 

But if my eyes are on Jesus, if my focus is on him, then the perspective is entirely different. 

You’ve perhaps heard the saying, “You are the company you keep?” Spend ample time with Jesus and I’ll guarantee you that people will be seeing His powerful influence in your life and actions. 

So, yes, we can tell others, “follow my example as I follow Christ.” It is possible. And truth be told we are an example regardless. 

Yea, maybe people are supposed to look at Jesus not us. But they do watch us. 

Charles Barkley, the former NBA Basketball player once said that he’s not a role model or an example, he’s paid to be a basketball player. I love what fellow player Karl Malone remarked, "Charles...I don't think it's your decision to make. We don't choose to be role models, we are chosen. Our only choice is whether to be a good role model or a bad one."

So as Christian leaders in our churches, ministries, jobs, or families, we can’t just opt out of it. “Hey don’t look at me, look at Jesus.” It sounds like a cop out when you look at from this perspective doesn’t it? 

Don’t give into the lie that your life has no impact. Believe me it does! The choices you make, your attitude, and the company you keep, i.e. Jesus, impact those around you more than you’ll ever know. 

As you follow Jesus, people watch. As you love and worship Jesus with your life, even through the tough times, your life radiates hope. 

Be a Jesus follower, and nurture other Jesus followers. 

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

The Storeroom

When the Lord opens new doors of ministry for me, it can be intimidating. I struggle with feelings of inadequacy. “What do I have to offer? I’m not educated or trained”, etc... 

Then there are times when I minister to others I feel my weaknesses and inadequacies so strongly; it feels almost foolish to try. I truly feel that I have nothing to give. It seems much safer to keep what I do have, rather than give it away. 

I have felt drained to the core. One more demand, one more pull at my vessel will surely take me over the edge. Just place me back on the shelf, thank you. 

Nevertheless, I have found that when I take my eyes off myself and allow the Lord to minister through me, I always find His anointing there. He truly is enough. 

If you are really struggling, let me encourage you today. In Matthew 13:52 it says,  "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

The Lord gave me this verse years ago to assure me. There’s a great word picture here. Picture with me a room in your house that is full of beautiful treasures. Treasures that you have collected through the years, or that was given to you. Every time someone special comes to visit, you take them to this room and show them your precious treasures. 

Not only do you share these treasures, but your visitors leave enriched with one of them in their hands. And so it continues to bless them, and it blesses the ones they show it to. It’s a beautiful progression. 

Dear sister, you have a beautiful storeroom in your heart. God has prepared you through the years and placed beautiful things inside you. Treasures that are uniquely yours. And that will bless others that you open your heart to. 

Not only has He prepared you, but He also prepared the hearts of those who will come into your life. Call it a Divine connection, if you will. 

In other words, He has given you the treasures and He will bring the people to you. You just need to open your heart and share them. 

You are beautiful. You have much to share. Please don’t shut yourself up. Give freely and you will find your storeroom filled to overflowing. 

He is enough

I mentioned in the previous blog that I felt unqualified. I had a legit argument. After all, I don’t have a college degree, I’m not exactly sophisticated, cultured. I’m just a hick farm girl who worked in blue collar jobs. I’m not breath-taking beautiful. I have to work hard just to look attractive and presentable when I walk out the door. I don’t have my act together, I have issues. 

So yea, I’m not qualified to be the leader of anything. So no thank you Lord, obviously You have the wrong person. 

We have a wonderful example in the Bible to help us quell all these unfound arguments as to why we can’t walk through the doors that God opened for us. Moses, yes, the same Moses who defiantly stood at the Red sea, held up his staff and watched God spilt the sea in half. The same guy who led all those griping Israelites through the untamed wilderness. Yea, that guy.

When God called him at the burning bush, Moses made argument after argument as to why he can’t do it. 

"Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”  God’s answer?  "I will be with you.”  

"What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"  God’s answer? He gave Moses the signs of the staff turning into a snake and his hand turning to leprosy. 

Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." God’s answer?  "Who gave man his mouth? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

I smile every time I read these passages. First, because the answer to all of our fears is Himself. He gives Himself. We are carriers of His anointing. He has prepared us for every good work. You lack for nothing, because He will prove to be enough. Just give Him what you have. Like the boy with the fishes and bread. Jesus will take what you offer, bless it and feed multitudes. 

Secondly, however you feel about yourself, your issues, the way you look, your past, failures, what you lack, etc...all of that don’t matter a lick to God. 

What He desires is someone who will lean hard on Him, a tender, compassionate heart, someone unconcerned about power and prestige, a servant’s heart that beats for the body of Christ. 

In other words, a broken vessel who like Paul in 1 Corinthians 2 says, “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.”

Do you see that at the end? Isn’t that the objective here anyway? It’s not about setting people up on pedestals. It’s so He can minister to others through our words, our touch, through what we offer to Him. 

Beloved, you may feel ugly, that you have nothing of value to offer Jesus. I want to assure you that’s not the truth. It’s because of Him that you sparkle and shine. It’s Him, His spirit inside of you. Therefore, don’t neglect Him. 

I guess you could call it a joyful abandonment. Anytime I take my eyes off myself and focus on Jesus it’s a good thing. Forget about what I lack, my issues. Just jump out of the boat and walk with Jesus. 

Yea, it’s a bit scary, but wow what an experience! There’s absolutely nothing like the feeling of knowing God ministered through my words, my touch and life. It’s humbling, and it’s just awesome. 

Are you standing at a door right now? Are you hesitate about walking through? Take a step, knowing that He will be enough. Know that He prepared you for this moment and the people who will cross your path. 

The Unqualified

Almost ten years ago, I was offered the Women’s leader position in my church. I wasn’t exactly bursting with confidence at the time. I was actually nervous and unsure about this big step. I felt rather unqualified to be honest. 

But there was one thing I remained sure about: God placed a heart within me for women. I desired deeply for them to experience the heart of God, to be healed of inner hurts, and to grow into what God had purposed for them. 

So I stepped unsteadily through this new door and now years later I stand once again looking back at this door. If you have been following my blogs, you know I had to give up my position because of my job situation. 

I have changed so much since I first walked through this door. I’ve been stretched and found myself filled to overflowing. I’ve proven my God over and over again when I’ve leaned hard on Him, when I saw the results of what I offered Him. 

It hasn’t always been a rose strewn path. I’ve seen drama, I’ve had a woman point her finger in my face and tell me straight up I wasn’t what she expected out of a leader. I’ve had disappointments, experienced lean seasons. 

I want to share with you some things I’ve learned that hopefully will help you in whatever leadership position you’re in. I’ll just be sharing from my heart. Many times I’ve just wanted to sit down with a fellow leader and spill my heart. Sometimes there wasn’t anyone, but God did send people across my path who were such a help to me. Whatever you do, don’t disregard these people. You need someone to share your heart. However strong you may think you are, you can’t do this completely alone. 

I hope I can be that someone for you through the upcoming blogs. 

The Gathering

This summer our church started a once a month fellowship. We call it “The Gathering”. It’s been quite the success. The Gathering consists of good food, (always a must!), laughter, and sweet fellowship. We meet at each other houses. 

I have throughly enjoyed these get togethers, as it gives me a rare opportunity to be with my church family other than Sunday mornings. I say rare, because Sunday mornings it’s usually a quick Hello, perhaps a hug and “have a good week” on our way to our cars afterword. 

Lets face it, other than the occasional dinner after church, Sunday mornings aren’t a great time to immerse in deep conservation with each other. When I was the Women’s leader, I always tried to plan times away from church with the girls. Whether in a group or just a couple of us. It really bonded us together. 

I’m convinced that these times of fellowship is so vital to my connection with my Church family. Church is much more than a social club, an obligation or duty. I need these people and so do you. 

I’ve heard the arguments against Church. “You don’t have to go to a Church to be a Christian.” “Those people are hypocrites.” “I’ve been hurt by so called Christians and won’t be again.” etc...

I would answer, that yes, going to a Church building doesn’t make you a Christian. Every Church is full of human beings, so yes I suppose there will be those who fail. And yes, I’ve been hurt by people in my Church. I know there are “bad” Churches out there. 

I’ve gone to my church since the day I was born. Now I am aware that’s probably a rarity. It’s just the way it’s worked out. I’ve attended through leadership failures, church splits, drama and some downright ugliness. 

I haven’t always had such wonderful positive feelings. I left for two years to attend another church, but came back. I’ve pondered about leaving for good a few times. 

As I become more involved in being a leader, The Lord gave me a love and a new perspective for the Body. It became more about serving and less about what I can get from the Body. It’s helped me to keep my focus where it needs to be, i.e., off me and and on Jesus and His body. 

It’s sustained me through the rough times in church.

Maybe we ought to go with a new perspective; to serve one another and go after God with a passionate heart, rather than to be a spectator in the pews. Maybe we should pray for each other, look each other in the eyes and share our hurts, rather than wag our tongues and point our fingers. Perhaps we should share a table, a meal. 

That’s too messy, I hear you say. Yea, it can get messy. But you desperately need it. I need it. It’s far too easy to stay closed up in our houses and lives. It’s also a miserable and lonely place to be. We need each other. I need your prayers, your laughter, your gifts and your hugs. I need to be known. You do too. 

I want to encourage you to find a church family. Or get to know the one you’re in. Don’t alienate yourself. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

The Teacher

I have a new heroine. She is a woman who lived in darkness. Blindness and deafness imprisoned her in a world of no communication. A sickness at the age of 2 led to Helen Keller’s disability and set her adrift with a meaningless future. 

In her book, she shares, “I was without compass or sounding-line, and had no way of knowing how near the harbor was. “Light! Give me light! was the wordless cry of my soul, and light of love shone on me in that very hour.” 

That very hour she speaks of is when Anne Sullivan came to her house. Her beloved teacher who brought her into the light, who showed her the blessing of communication. 

Anne Sullivan took her under her wing and patiently began to teach her. It was a struggle at times. In fact Anne calls her a savage because Helen quite honestly was pampered by her family and allowed to do whatever she wanted. So they butted heads many times. 

Anne would not give up and kept teaching her words,  but Helen didn’t understand the meaning of what the “words” meant until one blessed day when Anne took her to the water pump, pulled her hands under the flowing water and spelled w-a-t-e-r. 

Helen shares, “Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten-a thrill of returning thought and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me. I knew then that “w-a-t-e-r” meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!”

Helen Keller quickly learned how to communicate, how to read and even to write. She went to school and college. 

She was known to recognize people by touching their hands. She could sense fear, joy, anxiety, and sadness simply by “feeling” another person. 

She traveled the world, met well known people, even presidents. She didn’t allow her disability to stop her in any way. It humbled me as I read her story. I have all my facilities  and yet I allow my hang ups sometimes to keep me from being all I could be. 

Helen Keller’s remarkable life would not have been possible if not for Anne Sullivan, her beloved teacher. Her teacher led her out of darkness into life.

I couldn’t help but think of the precious Holy Spirt. The Spirit of Truth, the Revelator, and our Teacher. 

Where would we be without our Teacher, the Holy Spirit? We were walking in darkness, without understanding. But the Spirit brought us into God’s wonderful light! He opens our eyes to glorious truths in the Word of God. The Spirit even drew us to the Father in the beginning of our walk. He helps us in our weakness, He intercedes for us with wordless groans. 

A compelling passage about our Teacher is in 1 Corinthians 2:

9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"-- 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 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. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

I need the Holy Spirit desperately, but more than that, I need to be sensitive to His stirrings. Just like Helen could sit next to you and feel your anxiety, fear, happiness, etc... She could not see or hear you, but she knew. She could sense your feelings. 

The Word tells us not to quench the Spirit. I need His direction, I desperately need to know the great truths of the Word, How can I remain in the “Light” if I am hard hearted? If I am not tuned in to my Teacher? 

May I always remain close. Keep my heart tender and sensitive. Thank you Blessed Jesus for the Holy Spirit. Where would I be without Him? 

The Ugly Curve

When life throws you an ugly curve, and your life changes dramatically, you start to question your purpose. You’re tempted to question God. You wonder about tomorrow. 

“I was doing well in this vocation, this ministry. What happens to the God given dreams now? Where do I go from here? Are all the doors of opportunity closed for good? Will I be stuck here the rest of my life?”

Or, “Have I let God down? Will I ever rise from this? Am I still valuable?”

I’ve struggled with these feelings off and on since January. My job change left me floundering at times. My confidence was shaken. 

I remember the ones in the Bible who experienced this. Moses, who was cast away in the wilderness, supposedly to be never heard from again. David, who was constantly on the run, living in caves. Elijah, hiding out in a cave, bowed down in depression. Jonah, in the belly of a whale in the bottom of the ocean. Peter, back in the boat fishing, convinced he is a complete failure. 

And yes, Joseph. You had to know I was getting to him right? 

When you read their stories, it encourages and builds your faith so much. Because you find out that what looked to be the “end” only was a stepping stone to a greater ministry. It ended up to be a spiritual promotion. 

God wasn’t done with them yet. He had greater plans for them. In fact, it was way beyond their imaginations wasn’t it? It went far deeper than they expected. 

Because you see, spiritual promotion is far different than worldly promotion. It takes you deeper than you ever been. It pulls you closer to the Father’s heart. It tenderizes your heart. Your spiritual perception is clearer. Your spiritual appetite is more acute. 

In other words, He has your heart now like He didn’t before. 

Deep intense work like this involves you letting go. You need to rest in His hands and learn from Him. Like the Potter and the clay. The clay on the spinning wheel rests in the Potter’s hand as He molds and forms the yielding clay into something beautiful. 

The clay doesn’t rise up and ask the Potter, “what are you doing? And why are you doing it this way?” 

Beloved, please know that the Potter knows the plans He has for you. He can and will make something beautiful of you. You are valuable to Him. This season you are in now is only a preparation for what is to come. Your character is being formed now. Because of your trust, you will be a powerful vessel in His hands. 

Nothing can sway His intentions for you. Joseph himself said this to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” 

He is entrusting others to you. There are needy lives you will touch and point to Jesus. Do you understand why this deep inner work is so needed? 

I am realizing this in my life as well. My life shift has not been the end. God has led me to new adventures I didn’t expect. I’ve had new doors open up. 

More importantly, I’ve changed. He’s done a work in me through this experience. I pray that the truths I’ve shared have encouraged you. Know beloved, that you are valuable and beautiful to Him. You will testify to His goodness and faithfulness.