I woke up with a Casting Crowns song in my head titled "If we are the body". For those that know it, it's probably started playing in your head as well. If you do not know it, here is a video with the lyrics:
Sometimes I wake up hearing songs I know I heard the day before, and other times I know it's the Lord trying to tell me something, to encourage me, or to start my day focusing on Him. While drinking a cup of tea and watching my son play on the ground, I read a blog post from a sweet friend and sister in Christ about their calling to care for and help restore families. You can read about the Blevins' story here.
It brought up emotions in me because I am quite certain they are being told by well meaning people that they are crazy, not doing what is "best", and so forth.
I remember hearing some of the same things. And sadly, I still do. But what strikes me even deeper is when I hear Christians make comments such as:
"You are so amazing! I could never do what you did."
"You have a bigger heart than I do."
"I'm so happy with my life the way it is. Why would I change anything?"
and the worst offender, but said most often:
"God knows I'm not strong enough to handle anything like that."
Really? REALLY???
And to all of them I politely and loving say,
"You're wrong."
1. I am not so amazing. I'm pretty normal. I just choose to say 'yes' when God asks, but believe me I've said no quite a few times and regret every single one of those times! It's hard to say yes, but oh so rewarding!
2. I think everyone has the same size heart. I had to make a conscience decision to let mine die repeatedly to my own wishes and desires in order to follow what the Lord was calling me to. It's hard. It's not easy. God heals hearts, he makes more room in hearts, and He opens hearts.
3. It is hard to change when everything seems perfect isn't it. I understand. My dear, sweet friend Krystal wrote this quote by Sir Francis Drake one day and it speaks to this better than I ever could:
Disturb us, Lord, when
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery; Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
We are too well pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas
Where storms will show your mastery; Where losing sight of land,
We shall find the stars.
4. I am definitely not strong enough to handle everything God has sent my way. Guess what, He knows that! He knew that before He put it in my life! He designed it to be that way! Why? Because if I was strong enough, I would never need Him! I would live my perfect, happy little life content and self-sufficient, without the need for my heavenly Savior.
So I ask you, no I beg of you to question what is going on in your life?
Are you scared of saying yes to something?
Why?
Is fear the only thing stopping you?
"You see that his faith and his actions were working together and his faith was made complete by what he did." James 2:22
"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" John 12:26-28
We are called to be His hands and feet, to altogether be the body of Christ for a reason. We each have different callings, but all of them work together to further the kingdom. No calling is greater than to lay down your life to follow His plan, no matter what that plan is.
So I encourage you today, ask the Lord to give you courage! If you have no idea what the Lord is calling you to, ask Him to give you a vision, direction, and guidance!
"Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Psalm 34:10
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." Proverbs 8:17
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34
I love this old saying. It rings so true!
I stood around waiting for someone to do something.
Then I realized that I was someone.
You are a chosen child of God!
You are called to a live a life worthy of greatness!
You, yes you, are strong enough to say yes....with HIS help!
"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16
