Describing You

What if everyone who knew you had to make a top 10 list of words that described you? What if you had to create that list yourself? Would they be similar? Would you be content with what the world thinks of you? Would you be content with what you think of yourself?

This topic of what others think is a little tricky. Romans 12:2a tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world…” It should not matter what others think of me because the Lord’s thoughts are all that matter… true, very true, but can their view of me inspire me to become more Christ like?

I want to be a reflection of Christ in this world…full of love, compassion, strength, wisdom, humility, joy, kindness, discipline, faith, peace, hope, and patience. These words are certainly on my top 10 “wannabee” list but are these on the actual list???

As I ponder this in my quiet time I read Romans 12:3b, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…” The next words to jump off the page are in verse 10,”Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  This sounds like the Lord is asking me to take on a spirit of…hum…um…um…um…

        Humility…

                There. I said it.

It is a word that I am fairly certain would not show up on any list describing me. I am confident, speak my mind, and have skewed belief that I know more than I really do. I am pretty much the anti-humility.

It is clearly time for an attitude adjustment! #Saywhat !!!! But God created me this way. He does not want me to be someone I’m not. True, but…

         He does want me to grow.

                He is asking me to practice humility.

                        He wants me to be obedient, radically obedient.

How do I know? His word made it clear. Humility is a characteristic of Christ. This morning my study leader, Nicki Koziarz, spoke of the humble act of doing laundry in a fresh and powerful way. Just yesterday I witnessed the humble actions of a strong servant leader at MUST ministries. Having a spirit of humility cannot happen with my sheer will. I need help! Thank God that “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13. 

I want to please and honor and praise the Lord! I want the world to know Him better because they see Him in me.  #YesToGod

YES: No More Games

I have just started my first online bible study through Proverbs 31 Ministries at www.proverbs31.org .   We are studying What Happens When Women Say Yes to God, by Lysa Terkeurst. Yep, it will just be me and several thousand other Christian women from all over the world trying to gain a better understanding of what it means to say yes…and mean it.

Yes.

        It is a simple word.

                It is easy to spell.

                        It is easy to say.

…and yet it can be difficult to follow through.

Often times my “yes” is absolute in the beginning. At some point, I manage to downsize it to a “maybe”.  There are so many things to do, places to go, and people to see. Some days I am exhausted and just want to put my “yes” on hold. “No, not today…maybe tomorrow,” I tell myself.

Sometimes my “yes” takes on complexity by adding a stipulation or two. This is the when/then game…when I get my house in order then I’ll serve at the food pantry…when I take a few more bible studies then I will volunteer to help in Sunday school…when I finish running my errands then I’ll have some time to sit and listen to the Lord. The problem with the when/then game is that it is a game of perfection. There must be a perfect “when” to gain a desired “then”.

I am thinking it’s time to stop playing that game…

        especially if I am going to whole heartedly start saying “Yes” to God!

He wants me to be available to Him now. He will meet me where I am and use what I have to offer today. His priority is not my sink full of dishes or how many items are left on my task list. While these things are important, they are not the priority.

 God desires me to be His hands and feet.

         So I lift my hands, palms up, to receive His blessings today.

                And I say, “YES!”