The word influence is a relatively neutral term, and it probably means different things to different people, and generations. Many years into the past, you might parents talking in serious tones to their teenagers, voicing concern over one friend or another. “I’m not sure they are a good influence on you.” For many currently, when we hear the word ‘influence’, it sounds like a job title, reserved for the elite. It’s a beautiful blogger on Instagram, a public personality, someone with a platform, a voice, and a “following”.
Influence is a powerful thing, though it is not a term reserved for those who have ad revenue, sit on a board or a corner office somewhere, have a microphone, or even seem to be the most popular among us. Truly, we are all influencers, and being influenced, all the time.
We are influenced by what we see and hear every day.
We take in stimuli all day, we process it, we emulate it or dismiss it, and we do this all day long.
Think of all of the things that you notice. In your own life it’s, the dog needs a haircut, your kid needs a hug, your eyebrows need waxing. You love the way the sun comes in the window, you hear a song in the background. You take in and process information all day. You categorize things as important or less than important. That’s a library of information right there.
Then there’s information outside of your home. Whether it’s the way someone mows their lawn, how they return the grocery cart or say hello to the checkout girl, what you saw in the store window, how someone dressed for school drop off, the type of candles that were lit when your friend stopped over, how your friend spends their free time, what she said online, or what they do with their Sunday. It’s all coming at you all day.
Most of these thoughts are passing, and usually, we are not obsessed with one another. (Or hopefully we aren’t, and in the healthiest circumstance, we aren’t. Hopefully we’re not judging,, or trying to make ourselves better than anyone else. That would deserve an entire different discussion!) Let’s assume for now that you’re just trying to build a happy and healthy life- emotionally, spiritually and physically.
You still pick up information and ideas all day long, physical ones as well as mental and emotional. We see what people post about, care about, think about. We hear a song, read a magazine (I think those are still a thing!), talk to a neighbor. Then we respond, and it’s usually according to what we already value or desire. But even those things- our values and desires- can be influenced and shifted by what we see and hear!
Think of all of the things we have picked up over the years, all of the stimuli. We are influence a lot, both consciously and unconsciously. We take it all in, process it, and categorize the information according to what we think, and according to what has already influenced us. It’s like every piece of information is a string weaves itself into our belief system, and then influences us further as they create a framework for our lives. It can be very hard to unravel that thread.
With the advent of social media and carry around computers (📱 ) this has been greatly enhanced. We are being influenced by other people all day, every day. We can be influenced in any number of directions based on what it is that we take in. Which is why I am becoming increasingly aware of what it is I’m watching or looking at. It is. So. Much. Stimuli.
Make sure what influencing you is worth your attention. Fill your life with the best of the good stuff.
Whether we realize it or not we are influencing probably more than we know.
We have incredible power to influence things, to create change , to inspire. Even when it looks like no one is watching, somehow, sometime, it will be noticed by someone, even if you don’t notice that it’s noticed. You’re leaving a mark on this world with your actions. The way you mow your lawn or the shirt that you wear or the thing you say. You are creating a piece of information, adding value to what you choose, good or bad. You are communicating something to the world.
What are you communicating? What do you place the greatest value on? What matters most? To what do you give (or chuck) the most important things like your time, money, and attention?
Even before those “ influencers” were named as such, they were probably influencing. People liked to see what they were doing, they would get new or good ideas from them, they were probably a go-to for whatever their area of expertise is. Fashion, home, life, parenting, the list goes on. But Those influencers? They’re being influenced too. People allow themselves to be influenced and that influence created feedback which influences the ‘influence’ . By likes and shared and by the products they showcase and the marketing team that’s behind them. What a tangled web it is that we weave!
Those authors you read, they’re being influenced. Those singers and songwriters? Influenced. All influencers are also influenced by something. Somewhere, someone is motivated by somebody’s bottom line.
The question then, is whose bottom line will be the one that is going to motivate you?
What and who is influencing us?
There was a day this past fall, I was mulling over an online conversation. I was especially at the time, tending to tread lightly. I want to influence with heart and not a hammer. One conversation was sticking with me, I was feeling troubled. I had been bolder and maybe more direct than I had been. I could feel the rebuttals, I mulled over the opposite perspectives. I don’t remember the conversation now, but I still remember the faces I was thinking of.
I remember exactly where I was sitting in my car, when I had this conversation with the Lord. “I’m thinking too much about them, and about the results of what I say, aren’t I.” (As a former people pleaser, I continue to is work to not be influenced by anyone else’s reaction to my obedience or to what I know is right. My aim is not to please them, but to lovingly do what Jesus is asking me .)
I heard so firmly in my ear, “You’re not thinking long enough. I think Eternal .” I broke down and sobbed. Eternal. Tell me, what’s more important than that.
If I am only saying and doing what will get someone’s immediate attention or affirmation, what am I even doing? I am being influenced by them, instead of being influenced by what is most important. Even if it is happening in a ‘good’ bubble of influence., if I am motivated to or by a certain response, it’s still people pleasing. But you and I both know what a tempest this life can be, especially when we’re tossed about by everything that other people are feeling or saying.
Jesus said, “I only do what I see the Father doing.”
Listen, I know that sounds like a very tall order. This is where I might lose some of you. That’s fine. We all get to choose. We all have to choose what we’re most influenced by.
Personally, I want to make sure I’m being influenced, not only by the good stuff, but the best stuff. By God Himself. Him who IS perfect, who already loves me, and who can show me how to love my neighbor. Because He already does.
I want to start being influenced from a deeper place, by a constant God.
Then secondly, by people that are truly being influenced by Him as well.
As a blogger, you’re often told to write with the reader in mind. And I do. I think of you often. But I can’t be true to my calling if I’m only writing based on what you may feel or think after you’re done writing this. I have to write with a more eternal protective in mind. I have to write what is true, not just what feel good on any given day. That I believe is the most loving. Because it’s not about me or how much you like my writing or anything I have to say. It’s about how much purpose and healing can come from the words. How much eternal good can come from my life and my sphere of influence.
Yours too.
The times I feel tossed about, I know it’s not coming from Him. It’s coming from me or my desire to be pleasing to any man, anyone but Him. He is easier to please than we think. Because He is constant. He already know you by name, He already loves you.
I want to be influenced most by that place of radical love, real understanding, and acceptance, and I only want to influence from there. I want to others to find it, too.
Be influenced, today friend. Find that place in God.
Prayer can sometimes feel like a golden ticket that people like to talk about but never quite seems to pan out for you. It is meant to be a lifeline but it can feel like you’re still drowning. Why keep trying, and what can you do?
Well as someone who spends some good time praying lately, it might surprise you that one of the greatest examples I saw recently was on Little House on the Prairie. I always loved the show, and as we’ve been watching it as a family, I’m reminded why. Every story seems to capture a facet of redemption. Even in the dusty, dry ground of pioneer life, the people are mostly good, a little kindness goes a long way, and some forgiveness is necessary most days. (It makes me wonder, if they can manage to do that, why can’t we? With all of the niceities of our modern day conveniences why do we seem to struggle so much with basic human kindness? Why do I? But I digress …)
There was one storyline recently that is sticking with me. Laura, little Half Pint, probably no more than eight years old, writes a letter to her family and then slips off in the night. She had heard the preacher say on Sunday that, the closer you are to God, the more likely it is that He’ll answer your prayer. So she goes off to climb a mountain. She has big prayer (they’d recently buried the beloved baby boy), and she knew that for such a big prayer, she’d have to take the advice and, well, get closer to God.
I won’t spoil the show whole for you (if you want to watch it, it’s on amazon prime.) But it really got me thinking. Here are the main takeaways that remain in my heart.
He’s closer than we think.
I think when the preacher said, “The closer you are to God, the more likely it is He’ll answer your prayers”, it actually means something different than it first sounds. It can almost seem off putting. But the more I thought about it, the more I seemed to understand.
Mankind tends to think we need big journeys, or big transformations. If I could climb that “mountain“. I’d be closer to God. It made perfect sense to the girl’s mind, and if we’re honest, we’ve probably all had similar thoughts. The mountains we climb most often aren’t physical. They’re habitual; they’re mental. If I could do something more significant or important. If I could scale the walls of my own doubts, understand more, have more patience, love others better, I’d be closer to God. I just need to get away, get above these concerns that are all around me.
I read once that a woman often finds God standing at the kitchen sink. I think nothing could be more true. Because God often meets you right where you are. You don’t have to get alone or scale a wall or be apart to get closer to God. He doesn’t need you to climb mountains. He just wants your heart, and some attention. He wants to sit with you and comfort you, right where you are. In either the comfort of your home or the discomfort of your heart. God is there, right where you are- mountain or valley, laundry pile or the mud puddle of your own disappointments. Always available and always able to help.
God’s currency is faith. He listens for it, and he responds to even the smallest piece of it. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” It doesn’t have to take a lifetime, it can happen in an instant. An instant of surrender.
Drawing closer changes us.
The closer you get, by drawing yourself into His warm, caring side, the more you get to know Him. We are changed and healed as we come close. In times of prayer and listening, reading, worship, songs or teachings about Him, , the more we begin to understand Him. The more you experience and understand His Love, the more you understand how much he delights to help you.
There’s very little I like hearing less than my child whining at me. Whimpering and asking over and over. That doesn’t move me to action as much as truthfully, it in a very human way, repels me. But if one of my children come up to me, pat my arm, and loving look me in the eyes, I am moved to help them. Sometimes I get too busy, or distracted but I have often asked, and taught them how to ‘break in’ to my thoughts and get my attention.
‘Come close. Remember that I’m a good momma who loves you and wants to help.’ I am moved by and respond to their kind way of asking and yet their boldness to ask me directly. When they look me in the eye and say “momma can you help me with this?” my heart is moved.
I see how this is often played out with God, too. We throw out a request from the other room, distracted, but desperate. We call out in his direction without actually taking the time to look at Him directly. (If we did, it would change everything.)
We work ourselves into a tizzy when we can have confidence in our Creator’s great love for us. We don’t have to beg God to move as much as we have to trust Him at His word. He is a good good Father. He is who He says He is, kind and compassionate, full of Love. We can look Him directly in the eye, talk to him about what we need and expect that he will hear us in His great love.
He sees us, He loves us, and that love changes us.
Being closer changes our prayers.
As it happens, as we come close, as we let His love in and as it begins to heal our hearts, our prayers are changed too. They begin to reflect the Loving heart of the Father. They start to line up with His heart and His purposes more. Because we’re getting to know Him, we begin to pray for His heart. We begin to ask for and trust His solutions. As we pray from that , we trust them.
What might have started as beautiful desperation grows into a place of maturity, and intimacy. As a beloved bride now, we ask.
We’re praying from a place close enough to hear God’s whispers, and for Him to hear ours.
Prayer changes things. Most of all us. So no, it’s not a golden ticket to get whatever it is we might think we so desperately need. But it does give us what we do desperately need. A deep connection to a Love that’s bigger than us or anything we might lack. That is the answer to our every prayer.
And don’t be surprised when whole gardens of prayers grow out of there. Love cannot help but grow things; It is in its very nature. To make all things new. Better than you could imagine. Keep asking , keep drawing close, and be surprised by how prayer works the kind of miracle you need. ❤️
When I was five years old, I watched a play, and it became so that upon this story the rest of mine now hangs. What started as a play, a piece of art if you will, became a central part of my life’s story. This story is still unfolding, but I share because it’s not just mine. It can be anyone’s. It is deeply personal, and yet universal. This is a story of Love.
It was a play about the life of Christ. Truthfully, I cannot even talk about it without crying. I don’t remember most of the details of the play, really, but it must have captured my young attention enough to care about the guy that, by the time they brought the Cross center stage and the actor playing Jesus “hung” there, I was enraptured. Perhaps that moment alone spoke loudly enough. I just kept staring at Him, at Jesus. Someone loved me enough to die a horrible death , supposedly in my place?
For a girl who didn’t like anything blood or gore, it was surprising that as I looked upon the scene, what I felt most, was love. Even at my young age, I was so deeply moved, I cried. I mean, I don’t know, were they undiluted, childlike tears or were they silent and steady? I don’t recall. But I know that inside, a seismic shift happened. My insides were all churned up, and my understanding of life dramatically changed in that moment. There was much that I didn’t understand, of course.
But at that moment I understood a sacred mystery.
They asked if people to come forward to pray, and I don’t even remember the words, but I don’t think I waited for or even asked for my mom’s permission. It was as if it was just between me and that man on the cross, Jesus. I had to know him. (It still is.) I turned with blurry eyes and headed down the aisle. My mom’s her dear friend was standing there, and she guided me forward. I remember a woman praying with and asking me what I saw or thought about heaven. My mind was blank. I had no clue. But I didn’t need to know much about the the journey to start.
None of us do. Because salvation is a free gift. It was a one time act of Love that overcame evil and paid for our shortcomings. Jesus did all the heavy lifting; all we have to do is believe. (“All” might be an awful lot. But compared to the risk, the gain might be worth it “all”. )
Faith is a lifetime of decision to walk in that grace, to keep allowing the act of redemption to do its work in me, and maybe, hopefully through me. If we are alive for even one nanosecond past when we believe, we can realize that the gift of his love is an endless ocean, a priceless jewel, the depths of which we will never get to. We get to spend the rest of our days unwrapping it and diving in. It’s not that we will never fail, but that we will keep falling into his endless grace.
Here I am 37 years later. My faith has taken many forms of expression and understanding. Even after going to church, and some Christian schooling, even bible college, I still don’t understand even close to everything. But I don’t have to. Because I understand that this is the single greatest, universal love story. One thing has remained the same. That man, Jesus. That man I first met all of those years ago is risen and alive and I’m still getting to know Him.
This Easter Sunday, we sat in a pew that somehow happened to have a statue of Jesus directly in front of us. It was not Jesus on the cross, it was the Risen Christ, with His arms and eyes, reaching out directly in front of me. There was a golden ribbon draped around His shoulders and it made me think of the keys He holds- to hell, death and the grave. I imagine, no, I know, that his ears were open as well. I know He heard my thanks that I mumbled through more tears. I know because I felt His Love wrap around me. “Greater love has no man..”. I felt as loved and known as I did all those years ago. Maybe even more so. Now we have history.
He’s been the constant in my story. Patient and sometimes, waiting in the wings while I’ve pursued other things. Too often. I’ve let other things take center stage. I let people steal some lines. I called in for understudies, searched for a replacement. It’s really hard to say that now, though living it often felt perfectly normal and even beautiful. But when I look back and see him there patiently waiting. Always, waiting for me to let Him Love me more. It’s then that I understand this story even more. He’s leading man material, truly. He’ll Love me, and lead so well, if I’ll just let Him.
Here’s the thing.
The end of our lives on earth is pretty certain. None of us live in these mortal shells forever, but the path is yet unfolding. There are many parts still being written. The next part of your story can be written by a Love that’s greater than anything, past or present. It wouldn’t be fair for me to not tell you. It wouldn’t be the love that I know to keep it locked up tight. At times I’ve feared being cheesy. But are not just words. They are bread and life. There’s more than enough to share.
Anytime, His love can fill your story too. Instead of sitting on the shores of (mis)understanding, why don’t you just dive in?
This Love, it is the pearl of greatest price. One I always had in my pocket. As things got a little wacky this past year, I found myself reaching for it more, desperate for truth. My hand reached for this faith, and all that it held, running my hand over the smooth stone and watching it shine to brilliance. It has not been found lacking. This Love, it has always been more valuable than anything. I had forgotten just how much.
Now I pray these prayers on repeat. “Lord, Here I am. I see the love and forgiveness that you have for me. I want to know Who you are. Please show yourself to me. Fill me with your Love.” I just keep diving in…. you can too.
“The universe is Abundant. You are Enough. Your opportunities are Limitless.” These words are thrown around a lot in the world right now. Unless you’re talking to follower of Christ about what they “should” do. We seem to prefer to build a lot of boxes for Christians. Surprisingly most for other followers in Christ. While the world shouts, “You can be and do anything, go anywhere!” The church likes to whisper to one another “But not that. Not you.”
“Be like Jesus. He didn’t become a king. He died on the cross. That’s what our lives hours look like. Humble sacrifice.”
Yes, your life should be marked by his His love and sacrifice, by the character of Jesus. But Jesus is not a two-dimensional character that can be nailed to any cross, last or present. He gave His life and He rose again. This is the entire crux of our faith. If he stayed on the cross, it would be a dead religion. His kingdom wouldn’t have come.
Yes, our redemption was found on the cross. But that’s not where it ended. To point to Jesus on the cross and say “do only THAT”, frankly, is wrong. He already did it. That cross is taken, its work completed. Our redemption was signed, sealed, and delivered. Mostly, because He didn’t stay there.
Though there are many that would like to keep Him (and you) there.
If we attempt to keep one another nailed to the cross of Christ, so will ours be a dead religion. He cannot be nailed to our understanding. He is a very real, very alive and extremely loving King. A risen Lord full of power and love and redeeming compassion. The crux of the Easter story is not that he stayed there, but that He conquered death, hell and the grave. He rose again. And He is still bringing out His work in earth. Believe me that image of him on the cross is where I fell in love with the Lord and that is sacred and holy. It is life-giving. But we must not let our theology keep him there for us.
Christ himself said “It is finished”. Finished. He didn’t tell us to pick up His cross and keep going.
What he told us was instead, this: “Take up your cross and follow me. “
Jesus didn’t tell us to take up His cross and die on the same hill he did. Or to die on any old hill, one we might pick. He told us to take up OUR cross and FOLLOW him.
What cross, then? Whichever one he tells you. On any single day, and best case scenario, every day. Remember, obedience is better than sacrifice. If we are ever to die on a hill, it should be one of His choosing, not ours. And most certainly NOT our neighbors.
If I choose the cross, form it based on what I see, form it to shape my own understanding, to look like anyone else’s- Jesus’, or Peter’s or John’s, or Mary’s, I am practicing sacrifice but perhaps not obedience. Maybe even idolatry if I am choosing for myself. Or anyone else. If I crucifying another person by and to my own understanding of the gospel, I am doing the same.
I am not in charge of my neighbor. Following Christ is the ultimate freedom, and we’ve been putting one another in the chains of our own understanding for a thousand years, twice over. Free in Christ means more than we are willing to admit, and more than we are often ever comfortable with. For ourselves and for others.
Taking up the cross might look for one like entering a political arena. Or staying out. It might mean going to work, or staying home. Stage or pulpit, classroom or coffee shop. YOU don’t get to say. That’s the entire point. You certainly don’t get to decide for anyone else.
I hear a lot theories around what Christians should and shouldn’t do right now. What’s in the Bible, what literally “fits” or doesn’t fit inside of it and the theology that surrounds it.
“Jesus wasn’t a king.” “Be happy with what you have.” “Sit down and be quiet”. “You can’t do that.” “You don’t belong”. “Settle for less.”
These can be the whispers of deception. Just as Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. There’s maybe a portion of truth. But not the whole truth. Not the truth that God is already speaking. To you.
Doubt comes rushing in. Taking the truth and twisting it ever so slightly. Just like the whispers in the garden. “Has God said?” We echo it for one another in the church more often that we must or ever should. It must make God so sad.
And it’s everywhere we turn right now. Even in the church.
We can identify it for someone else sometimes but maybe when it’s spoken for us though.
Stop listening to other voices. Stop listening for other people. Start listening for yourself. What is God saying to you, today? Where is he telling you to go? What cross is he asking you to take up? Do not think it has to look like anyone else’s. Not even the one Jesus carried. He did it for you, so you could walk in the fullness of whatever it is that HE has planned. Already. Before anyone else was alive and had the words to speak about it.
Get back to THAT cross. It will mean dying to something. Usually your selfishness. And that pride that would try to talk you out of it. The need for others to justify it, whatever it is.
Jesus was crucified in part because he had become too powerful. He didn’t come to be a King the way anyone else ever intended. But He came to be the King of your heart if you let Him.
Don’t sit down. Don’t shut up. He’s waiting for you not to ever even care what someone else should think. Trust Him more than anyone else’s opinion. Because HE is trustworthy. He is kind and gracious and he never is concerned with what anyone else’s plans are for your life or whether they’ll make any sense to anyone else.
Perhaps if we stop crucifying each other so much and we get something wrong or make a mistake, we will all be able to fly a lot more, even when we fail. We might stop snipping one another’s wings and really soar into our destiny. What would that look like? Freedom. Which is, after all, the work of Christ on that amazing cross.
The message popped up on my screen last Friday, “Hey, friend, I can’t wait to hear what you have to say!” There was a link attached. A current senior from our bible college was reaching out on an alumni Facebook group. They were looking for advice as they prepare to graduate, and decided to ask those who have gone before. My heart leapt inside of me, and I knew immediately what I would say.
“Always listen for the still small voice.”
My fingers were itching to type it, and more, truth be told. But as much as I wanted to chime in, I couldn’t. You see, I had just started, that very morning, a week long break from Facebook. All because I had, well, listened to that still, small voice.
The irony was not lost on me.
See, I love good conversation and I love to discuss important issues, like faith, freedom, love, family, to name a few. I love discourse and discovery that happens in the conversation, of others and myself. But sometimes I love it too much. And it’s good to step away and listen a bit more to the people and the life that are all around you. And of course, that still small voice.
Now almost a week later, my fingers have been itching to type the answer ever since. I’m not itching to return to FB and am really enjoying the space. That thread is probably long buried, too. But I realize that the beating words in my heart aren’t going away, do this is as good a place as any. So here goes!
**Let me say first, though this applies directly to someone preparing to graduate bible college, it doesn’t just apply to them. I think it applies to almost anyone who a) is transitioning into a new phase of life, b) has a heart to love God and/or other people, or c)wants to walk in their best life, their fullest potential. If that sounds like you at all, keep reading…
One: Always always listen for the still, small voice. God is always speaking, but His voice is most often quiet and gentle. Being a true gentleman, and not the controlling bully that too many picture Him to be, God doesn’t often shout. (Though He sometimes will if necessary!)
It starts most often in your heart, as a stirring or a feeling. Sometimes it even makes absolutely no sense to your mind. But you can’t deny how much it makes sense to your heart. If you’re wise you’ll listen. Even when it might not make sense on paper, there’s something in your spirit that agrees with it. It is also easy to connect with because it demonstrates His character. While his voice is not always big and bold in volume, it is always big and bold in love. Which is why you must keep your heart open to it.
When I was preparing to leave bible college, I had some really really good offers on the table. One was even the kind that got attention of the Dean of Students. Men actually. He was the sharp and serious kind. Though his words that I’d be “perfect for the job” meant so much, the job still just didn’t feel right. None of the options did. So I went home, worked in a coffee shop, and waited.
Two: About “ministry”: It’s all ministry. Your life is the ministry.
This might sound wacky talking to a group of bible college students or graduates, but the truth is, you’re not really called to a church, or to any other particular mission field. You are called first, to the Lord .
You’re called to know Him. Out of knowing Him, you will go to any number of places- all over the world, or around the corner- and share that Love that you know first from Him. You won’t be able to not minister His love. It will flow out naturally.
Helping should always remain secondary. Religion led by a desire to help or bless others, instead of led by your desire for the Lord, can quickly go awry, and even end up doing more harm than good. If it’s not connected to your first Love, it will quickly be in danger of becoming people pleasing of the most egregious kind- in the name of the Lord, but not in His Spirit.
Yes, some of you will be then called to serve in churches. Or neighborhoods. Or any number of places, secular or sacred. Since the Lord lives in you, and is with you everywhere you go, there is no longer a sacred and a secular. It is, all of it, sacred. Whether you’re painting a wall or holding a little person’s hand or giving someone a ride or sharing a message of hope or laughter, all of it is sacred. More ministry happens in everyday life than we often realize. (Look for it.)
Those great opportunities that I turned down? Led me to become a nanny and assistant for some really wonderful kids and families. If you know anything in life, you know that helping to care for another persons basic needs and wellbeing is, in fact, ministry.
Three: You can’t mess it up merely as much as you think.
There is one thing I’ve seen over time, and it’s that there is not one single path that you have to figure out and choose. Sometimes there are definite junction points upon which bing changes can hinge. But it is not something you can get either completely wrong or right based on your feeble choices.
It’s not even a choose-your-own-adventure. While it does feel like it, and holds a similar web of possible pitfalls, roads and opportunities alike, there is one guiding truth that sets it apart, one thing that matters more than your feeble efforts: God is more willing than you are to see your calling fulfilled.
As you look ahead, as much as you don’t know, you can know this: There will be so much grace. We easily forget just how gracious and loving our God really is. He will find more opportunities for you to walk in your destiny or calling than any number of pitfalls that you might stumble upon. Even if you placed them there yourself.
If you make a mistake, on purpose or by accident, know that He sees and knows your heart more than anyone, and He is more gracious than we often understand. He is not controlling, and He allows you to choose your direction, but if you do happen get a little lost at any point, He’ll help set your feet on a good path whenever you ask.
There probably a hundred ways to get where you need to go. Take some pressure off of yourself. Trust Him.
One last note, an addendum: Expect to be surprised. It’s often how God works. Even when we know Him, there’s still so much that we don’t yet know. He’s bigger than we can fathom, more gracious than we give Him credit for.
When your surprised one way or another, refer back to number 1 (Listen). And also, 2 (Love). Keep in mind 3 (Trust.) It is often not as complicated as we make it, but there is plenty to learn. Enjoy the discovery, and surprises.
I’m right there with you. My own surprises are unfolding now too. Twenty years after leaving bible college, it’s just getting started in some ways. Dormant dreams, stirred callings, and greater Love. We’re all still on a journey if we’re still breathing. I think there’s something in the air.
I sat in the car, such a heavy heart. While sitting in the drivers seat, occupying in name alone, I felt pretty helpless. Unfolding realities were reminding me of how little control any of us really have it seems, at times. Scrolling for an answer, yet finding none. Listening to a talking head, no peace to be gained there, closing the screen. I breathed deeply in and out, trying to calm the hammering in my chest.
Then I closed my eyes to pray. When you feel this adrift, what else is left, anyway? Prayer is indeed the lifeline. I normally feel that closing of eyes is not required. Sometimes, though, like right now, it feels very necessary. It remains the only fitting thing- to close my eyelids. To close my mind to the hunt for every other possible solution.
That’s often when you can actually finally find the one you need..
Instantly this time, I hear “ Who do you say that I am?”
Reverberating with truth, I know it as soon as I hear it. It is undeniably the voice of the Lord. The one friend who never tells lies. The one who my heart longs for.
“Who do you say that I am?”
With one simple sentence, a rush of clarity comes.
Who do I say, indeed. I begin to name some of His attributes out loud. The ones that I know from personal experience, and from a lifelong study. Lifelong school, at the very least.
You are Kind. You are Compassionate. You are True to Your Word. You see it all. You don’t lie. You are Faithful. You hold us in Your Hand. You hold the world in your hand. You set the stars in place and you know them by name. You are King.
I release a flood of gratitude as I say, and remember, Who is with me. This then replaces the flood of tension I had held. It’s not about the huge problems that I see and feel in that moment. Or any moment.
No matter how big the issues that I face or you face, there is a loving God who is bigger than all of it. Who offers to be with you, right where you are. Drivers seat, or sick bed, high on a mountaintop or in a deep valley of some kind of darkness. He can be there with you.
However, it’s not just who He is. But who do you allow Him to be, for you. Because He is a consummate gentleman. He doesn’t come as often by force as He does by invitation.
If you’re sitting in a valley of frustration, or idling in a place of overwhelm, or feeling helplessness with some circumstances, invite Him to be there with you. Remember Who He is, and seek to learn more. He has so many amazing attributes.
He IS the love, understanding, kindness, compassion, and great strength that you need.
Let him be for you what it is that you need.
Watch as how you feel about your circumstances changes, the edges soften, the sharpness dulls, when you remember the eternal Love that stands bedside you, is with you, and ultimately, conquers all. Watch problems shrink in comparison of a great, present God. Feel your heart swell and your troubles melt.
It is the ultimate exchange, this divine friendship. And it’s available for you.
The possibilities are endless, and every one of them, good.
Hey, I'm Courtney, a pretty ordinary girl who thinks we've all been called to an extraordinary life and love story with God. I'm passionate about family, faith, motherhood, and the adventure of every day. I write lots of words, mostly because I can’t help it- and I think it's one of the things I was born to do. I hope that something I write encourages you, to walk in your own unique purpose and calling, set free to love and give it away, starting wherever you are today. That's what Courting the Extraordinary is all about. Finding the good all around you, and giving it away. Finding, too, the God of all goodness who wants to walk with you.
I love quiet mornings, coffee, prayer and “work” before sunrise. Quality time with my family is my jam. I can be found grinning ear to ear when we're out on an adventure. Whether that's in our own backyard or exploring someplace new all-together, I’ll for sure note something beautiful about nature aloud-and maybe repeatedly, ha!. Life is a beautiful, precious gift, and an adventurous path to travel! We might as well learn how to love.
Hey, I'm Courtney, a pretty ordinary girl who thinks we've all been called to an extraordinary life and love story with God. I'm passionate about family, faith, motherhood, and the adventure of every day. I write lots of words, mostly because I can’t help it- and I think it's one of the things I was born to do. I hope that something I write encourages you, to walk in your own unique purpose and calling, set free to love and give it away, starting wherever you are today. That's what Courting the Extraordinary is all about. Finding the good all around you, and giving it away. Finding, too, the God of all goodness who wants to walk with you.
I love quiet mornings, coffee, prayer and “work” before sunrise. Quality time with my family is my jam. I can be found grinning ear to ear when we're out on an adventure. Whether that's in our own backyard or exploring someplace new all-together, I’ll for sure note something beautiful about nature aloud-and maybe repeatedly, ha!. Life is a beautiful, precious gift, and an adventurous path to travel! We might as well learn how to love. 