Pump That Gas

Have you ever been heading home dog-tired at the end of a draining day and saw the little gas light in your car was on? In fact, it had been on but you chose to ignore it a little while longer. You knew you were on E but the last thing you felt like doing was getting out of your car to pump that gas.

But you gotta get from A to B to C to D the next day so you have no choice but to begrudgingly interrupt your route, pull over, and fuel up in preparation for the next day.

And so it is with the fuel of our lives – the Word of God. Being on E when it comes to spiritual fuel can be a common thing in our lives. You’re too tired, you’re too busy, or you’re just plain apathetic at times depending on the circumstances in your life. But you have to keep moving, so how do you do it? You gotta pump that gas.

You can be mentally and physically exhausted, sad or upset, disappointed and discouraged, or maybe having the time of your life. Either way, in order to get from A to B and have the strength to remain victorious, you must fuel up with the Word. You may not feel like it, but you can’t afford not to. You will remain stuck without the ability to go anywhere if you don’t. You have to stay fueled up or you will falter.

Do it tired, do it upset, do it discouraged, do it on your best day. Try daily to keep your spiritual tank full or as close to it as you possibly can, no matter the season or the situation in your life. It is the only way you can maintain your progress and keep moving forward. You gotta pump that gas!

The Dream Challenge

I’ve got a writing assignment due soon for a 6-week class that I’m taking at church. This class is for women only, and our first week’s assignment is to journal or creatively express how we can empower other women.

A few things came to mind, but I eventually settled on this: One of the ways I can empower women is to encourage them to dream.

What do I mean by dream?

I’m not talking ‘head in the clouds’ mind-wandering daydreaming.

I’m talking about constantly keeping before you an idea or inspired goal that God has planted in your heart and refusing to let go of it. A dream you have become increasingly passionate about and know you must pursue. I’m talking about bold focus. A healthy attachment to something you want to see done in this world and knowing God has called you to do it.

One thing I’ve noticed is that many women have simply stopped dreaming. Some of us are stretched terribly thin or burned completely out. Overwhelmed by life’s battles or simply bored by the ho-hums of the day, many women are simply existing and have lost their desire or ability to believe they are capable of achieving great things. We’ve either lost our ‘spark’ or gotten so far away from who we really are that the dreams we once had can no longer be identified.

As women, we can carry so much and feel responsible for so many, that sometimes our dreams  – some we’ve held since childhood – lose steam, grow weak and eventually become scattered thoughts.

We wear many hats and we get bogged down a lot. When life gets rough or becomes routine, our dreams can fade out or get buried under a heap of burdens.

Even worse, we never attempt to dream at all, because someone told us our gender comes with a ready-made box that we should never think outside of.

Truth is, God gives dreams to women, regardless of our past mistakes or insecurities, because we are invaluable to Him. He chooses to inspire us with ideas and goals to achieve that will bless us and those around us. We are not ‘merely’ this or ‘simply’ that. We are made in His image in a wonderful way, and He believes each one of us has limitless potential.

Dreams can be big or small, supported or misunderstood. At the end of the day, all that matters is that your dream never dies.

If I can empower women, I will do so by encouraging them to dream. And for some, to dream again.

 

 

 

 

 

It really is about people…really

The boy and his friends sorted through shirts, shorts and pants folded on a table situated in a church parking lot.

As the trio bustled about, I asked him, “What size do you wear?”

“A medium,” he answered.

“What are you looking for?”

Without hesitation, he replied, “Anything.”

I looked down at his face. He said he was “7 going on 8.” And he was shopping for school clothes.

Excited to help this sweet boy, I picked up a black shirt with an animal pictured on the front and held it up in front of him.

“Do you like this?” I asked.

“No,” he said. He wasn’t impressed with my selection.

I continued to search for a clothing item he could fit and would like. Shortly after, I noticed him clutching a white cotton shirt to his chest. He had found something. And it was now his to own.

The Reach4Hope Back to School outreach event August 15 at City Church International was an incredible experience. As a volunteer with Gateway Church, which partnered with both ministries for the event, I was able to see the love of Christ in action and lives of little ones touched in a very special way. I witnessed families walking from all directions to find their place in line at the giving church. The line was lengthy and the weather was indeed hot. But there was no end to the smiles and spirit of thanksgiving that filled the air. Not only was clothing given away, but children who would otherwise go without received free backpacks full of supplies for the upcoming school year.

I also watched as people who received prayer allowed their tears to flow freely as prayer teams ministered sweetly and attentively to them. God was there and He was definitely pleased by the care for His people.

It was a much-needed reminder for me that true church takes place in the community, meeting needs all while giving God glory. The Reach4Hope event displayed this perfectly.

To learn more about Reach4Hope and its ministry to inner city children, go to reach4hope.com.

“I’m the fruit…”

I met a young man recently who gave me a snapshot of his 23-year-old life story. Full of passion for Christ with a heart for people, he told me that he comes from a Christian family and expressed tremendous thanks for his upbringing. He managed to make it through his college years with his integrity intact and has since become involved in global missions.

He’s a great kid. You know, the ones that give you hope for this next generation.

As we continued our chat, I told him a little about myself and the work that I’m involved in at a local pregnancy resource center.

It was then that his eyes lit up. His face brightened. His smile widened. And he thanked me.

“I was adopted,” he said, beaming. “I’m the fruit of what you’re doing.”

Ya’ll, my heart stopped, then leaped for joy. I was completely overwhelmed.

What started as a simple chat became God’s very words of encouragement to me. I can’t tell you how awesome it was to see this impressive, God-fearing 23-year-old man giving thanks for pregnancy resource centers, and praising his birth parents (that he’s never met) for giving him life and providing Christian parents for him through adoption. He was so happy that his birth parents chose the parents that he has. Through his birth parents’ sacrifice and his adoptive parents’ dedication, this young man is going to do great things for God and will be a light in this dark world. And all because his birth parents said no to death and yes to life. God’s purpose for his life will prevail.

This young man is proof that unbeknownst to us, there is “fruit” all around us. If you have been laboring in ministry, I promise you there is fruit! You may not see it every day or receive testimonies as often as you’d like, but there is fruit from your ministry that can be seen throughout this fallen world.

Press on and persevere. Draw on God’s strength and grace daily. Keep doing what you’re doing for and in the name of our Father.

There is and will be fruit!

Sitting in God’s seat

I love to encourage and pour into people. But even more than that, I love to see them walk things out that I’ve shared from God’s Word and see the fulfillment of God’s promises in their lives.

But I’ve found that many times, God uses my relationship with someone that I am trying to help, mentor or rescue as a way to keep reminding me that I’m not Him and I am never to sit in His place in someone else’s life. I remember Him encouraging me one day, when I was disappointed that a ministry opportunity I had become involved in didn’t seem to be going anywhere. As my shoulders slumped in a subtle sign of defeat, I heard Him clearly say to me, “You can’t be everything to everybody. That would make you Me.”

So simple. So true. It’s the answer to life’s questions. I’m not God.

As a Christian, it’s hard to not care about others. It’s hard to not give your all for the sake of others. But you have to maintain a proper and healthy balance in ministering to others, if you want to be effective and healthy. It’s helpful to remember these 4 simple things:

1. I have only a role in someone’s life, not a responsibility to change it.

What is your role in the person’s life you are ministering to? You may even have to ask God to show you this. Maybe your role is not to mentor them but to pray for them. Maybe your role is not to be their closest confidante but to simply share your advice and wisdom when its requested. Or your role may include all of these things and more. Knowing where you fit in someone’s life will help you find balance and not sit in God’s seat.

2. I am not you, you are not me, and we will never be the same.

We tend to think sometimes that if the tables were turned, we would respond to truth or outreach differently than those we are ministering to. Why can’t they see it? Why won’t they just listen? What am I doing wrong? Well, not only are you not God, but the person you are ministering to is not you. They are who they are at this moment and it may take time to see growth. You’ve grown over time and they will also. Be prepared that it may be at a slower pace than you’re comfortable with, but don’t give up on them. Keep praying and trusting and resting in God’s power to save, heal and deliver.

3. I cannot control outcomes.

Burnout and apathy after ministering to others can occur when we try to control outcomes in a person’s life with our words, actions toward them, and even our prayers. When a person we are ministering to takes a detour or rejects us, we are tempted to throw up our hands and declare, “Forget it, I’m done!” Where would any of us be if the Lord responded this way? This is probably the hardest thing to accept, that there will be uncontrollable and unpredictable outcomes as you provide ministry to others. If you’re trying to control the outcomes, you will end up feeling like a hamster on a wheel, running fast but going nowhere. You don’t have the power to change a person’s life completely. That’s God’s job. Your job is to keep praying, teaching and loving them, while trusting and believing that God will do what’s best for them in His perfect timing.

4. I may need to take a step back.

As I said in #3, don’t give up on the person you are ministering to. However, there may come a time when you need to take a step back. You’ve helped them take off the training wheels and get onto the bike, but they now have to figure out how to ride by themselves. Can you remember the first time the training wheels were taken off of your bike when you were a young child? Your parents watched as you jiggled and jolted about and eventually either fell off the bike or crashed into something nearby. You got up and your parents helped you try again. Sometimes in ministering to others, you will have to take a step back and watch from a distance as a person tries to ride on their own. Like your parents, you are there to gently help them up again, but you cannot ride with them or they will never learn on their own. God may even allow something to happen to let you know you need to begin watching their progress from a distance, because you may have become too involved. This can bring a lot of hurt and pain. Pray about your level of involvement and make sure you are using wisdom from God as you minister.

 

This is not an exhaustive list of how to maintain balance in ministry, but just a few things I’ve come to know during my own journey of trying to reach others. I have found in recent years that when I am able to not just remind myself of these things, but accept that in all of my knowledge, wisdom and passion to see others succeed, I am only an instrument, a vessel, a small piece of someone’s life puzzle that God Himself is working to complete.

 

I’ll take this one

His large black shoes trotted down the long, cold hallway. He was there for a purpose that day. He had a plan that he was not at all willing to detour from.

The sound of children’s voices began to fill the air. The very thought of this much-anticipated moment filled his heart with overwhelming joy.

As the metal door thrust open, the room was silenced with a hush. The sweet faces of little ones turned to stare at the elegant stranger. The children huddled together, giggling and whispering to each other.

His attentive eyes combed through the young adoring crowd. As his eyes met with each one, he smiled warmly. Although the children had never met him before, it seemed as if he was looking for someone in particular. Someone he already knew.

The host began to tell him of all the wonderful things each child had done and all she believed they would become. As he listened to every one of the host’s words, his eyes continued to move across the room until he noticed a huddled figure.

Everyone in the room watched as the man walked over to the small child crouched alone in the corner.

“Sir, may I continue?” the host asked.

“I’ll take this one,” he responded confidently, pointing to the child.

“Well, there are some things you need to know about this one,” the host said. “And quite frankly, you may not want to go forward after you hear…” Her voice trailed off as she watched him pick the child up from the corner.

“Sir, this child’s history is one that should concern you.”

Undeterred the man replied again, “I’ll take this one.”

“But, sir …”

The man looked at the woman and said firmly, “I want this child.” And he carried the child away.

When I think about the love of God, I imagine myself as the child in the corner, unable to look into His loving eyes, because of all the sin I have done. There is no reason why I should have ever been deemed lovable or valuable to Him, yet He wanted me and has chosen me, in spite of me, to be His forever.

He reached down and scooped me up in His arms, His only intention to make me more like Him.

His love is unconditional, undeniable and unstoppable. And His love can never be undone.

He loves us more than we could ever imagine. And in His love is where we find rest.

Walk a mile in my shoes

Have you ever tried to comfort or encourage someone and, maybe because you said the wrong thing at the wrong time, they responded “Walk a mile in my shoes…”?

It’s another way of saying you couldn’t possibly understand their situation, their anger, their pain, their shame, their (fill in the blank)… And they’re right. No one, no matter how similar your experiences, has walked in someone else’s “shoes.”

For some reason, I started thinking about this while driving to work one morning this week. And the thought came…Jesus has walked a mile in my shoes.

In fact, He’s walked out my entire life. He knows everything I will ever encounter or experience.  He knows all the joys and all the pains, all the successes and all the failures, that will make up my life. He’s the only person who has ever walked and will ever walk in my shoes.

But not only did He walk in my shoes, he exchanged my worn out, battered and torn ones for His victorious ones. So now I walk in His. And the best part is because He’s walked in my shoes, I can trust He knows exactly what I need.

 Hebrews 4:15-16

¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 

There’s no patent on prayer

If you’re like me, you grew up in churches where people talked a lot about “getting a prayer through” to God. There were also certain people in church who were thought to have the special ability to accomplish this. Other than the pastor, they were the only ones you would call when you needed prayer, especially for something really serious.

If you grew up seeing this type of distinction made between “prayer warriors” and the regulars, you may have grown up thinking your own personal prayers didn’t amount to much. So you filled your library with every book on prayer you could find and tried to mimic others whose prayers you admired. You thought your prayers were only good enough to ask God for general blessings. But for crisis situations or situations that were slightly elevated above the norm, you felt – or were even told – you didn’t have that kind of “power” to get a prayer through. I know several people who are paralyzed in prayer because of this type of experience.

No matter the intensity of the situation or the urgency of the need, there is never a reason for you to ever discount your prayers. There is never a reason for you to attempt to sound like someone else or act like anyone else when you are praying. I have to remind myself that it doesn’t matter who’s listening or what they are thinking of me when I pray in groups or in public. Even if I fumble my words or lose my thoughts, if my prayer is super short or super lengthy, at the end of the day I am talking to my Heavenly Father. He is the One who receives our prayers.

I believe many of us are missing out on the impact of prayer in our lives because we are so focused on comparing ourselves with others and caring too much about what people may be thinking when they hear us pray. I know it can be difficult not to do this. It’s just being human. But when you’re stuck in this mode, it can consume you in your personal prayer time and if you’re not careful you’ll be focusing on how you pray even when you’re praying to God in private.

Because of Christ’s death on the cross, we can come boldly to God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Not because we have a bold personality or bold words, but we come boldly because Christ gave us full access to God through his shed blood.  We can talk to God our Heavenly Father directly through prayer. It is a sweet and most precious gift. But it will remain unwrapped if we focus on comparisons instead of sincere and authentic communion.

Your prayer time with God is so special and such a privilege. You can’t allow yourself to be robbed of it by prayer insecurities fueled by what you or anyone else thinks about how you pray. You must commit to consistent prayer and press through. God isn’t rating our prayers; He delights in them.

Before you sit down, lie down, kneel down or stand up to pray, always remember:

Your prayers matter.

Your prayers count.

Your prayers are being heard.

So, keep praying.

 

Psalm 66:16-20

Come and hear, all you who fear God;
    let me tell you what he has done for me.
¹⁷ I cried out to him with my mouth;
    his praise was on my tongue.
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened;
¹⁹ but God has surely listened
    and has heard my prayer.
²⁰ Praise be to God,
    who has not rejected my prayer
    or withheld his love from me!

Doing big things for God

Many of us desire to do “big” things for God.

We dream of building orphanages in underprivileged nations. We set out to eradicate hunger and poverty. We seek to spread the Gospel in distant and sensitive countries.

These are what we consider big things for God. These are the goals that fuel us and excite us. And they should. They are great and necessary feats for the kingdom.

But what makes a big thing a big thing? Is it the number of people affected or the vastness of the regions influenced? Is it the amount of recognition or attention garnered? Is it the volume of responses we receive?

What if a big thing for God is something we consider small and insignificant?

Like sharing a word of encouragement with the local barista. Or greeting people and passing out programs at your church. Or praying for someone in need. Or just listening to another person’s burden. Are these big things for God? I think so.

A big thing for God is anything that we do with His heart in mind, as the hands and feet of Christ. From the costliest global assignment to the most minimal everyday task. Because nothing we do for Him is insignificant or without value.

If it’s for Him, whatever it is, it’s a big thing.

1 Corinthians 15:58 – … Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

 

 

 

 

Community is life’s cushion

Community.

It’s a word you hear a lot nowadays in Christian circles.

To me, it was just a hip new way the younger crowd described hanging out together or another word for church small groups. I also thought it was something only mega churches promoted to maintain control over their astronomical membership. I thought, “What’s with this ‘community’ thing and why are they always pushing small groups? Why don’t people just go to a smaller church?”

Recently I was invited to a women’s group gathering at a local church by a young lady I work with. There were no more than 20 women who showed and everyone brought a dish to share. A short message of encouragement sprinkled with Scripture was presented and we also had a time of prayer. Each of us shared a prayer request and being the introvert that I am, it was not easy for me to open up to these women whom I hardly knew. But for some reason I felt very comfortable with these ladies. It was more than a scheduled event or general ladies gathering. It was connecting. It was ditching pride and pulling off masks  to be transparent in a healthy way. It was receiving wise counsel and heartfelt prayer. It was feeling one another’s pains and standing together through recent struggles. It was rejoicing in our testimonies and the truth of the Scriptures. The refreshing I felt that day made my eyes water.

Building community is necessary. It’s not just meeting for the sake of meeting. It’s meeting for the sake of serving and strengthening one another.

It’s not enough to hear a great message on Sunday and go straight to your next event. Bottom line, we need to be intentional about and committed to maintaining active and meaningful fellowship with one another as Christians. We need to get back to bearing one another’s burdens, exhorting each other in the Word and encouraging one another to persevere. We also need to celebrate together what God is doing in our lives.

I no longer view building community as just some trend that is currently sweeping the church world.

Building community is building a cushion. A place of support, comfort and rest.