Monday, February 24, 2020

Of Too Many Legacies Left Undone



"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? (We have)
gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: let us use them... and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds-- " ... From 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12 and Hebrews 10


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Personally I'm so tired of people believing if they can't do this--



Or this--




Or be like her--




--then they must not have a gift/calling/purpose from God at all. Or perhaps their calling appears too complicated/useless/yucky. 

Then sadly, they reach their 50's or 60's without having known the utter joy of giving away one's life to others. One's years. You know, doing what God designed only them to do so to make this Life sweeter for the weary and uninspired.

Instead of preaching, delivering, healing in the usual (or wildly-brave) ways, what if God Himself chose, instead, to have someone create this?





Or these miniatures?




Or even this?




What if He meant creations like these to lift hearts and whisk dreams of the discouraged to light from the cobwebby places? 

I'm thinking along these lines because of my fun travels with The Daily Woo.

He shows us places like these and man, I'm inspired by not just the creativity, but the fact that people completed the dreams inside their heads. I mean, always negative thoughts (and folks) attack dreamers--


"You can't physically/mentally/financially do that!"
"Who will even care if you create something?"
"What if you can't finish once you begin?"
"What if this isn't God's idea for you?"
"What if it only makes you look like a failure?"


Always satan tries to stop God's original creations from being birthed. 

Anyway. I'll keep this short and just say, Hey! I'm getting older and so are you, Honey, and may we both make certain that before we die, we complete every single legacy for which God sent us.

Yes, even the ones which appear like nothing anyone else is doing. Actually? Especially those.

















 “See, I have called by name xBezalel the son of Uri, son of yHur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have zfilled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft."   ... From Exodus 31



“... an artist should paint from the heart, and not always what people expect. Predictability often leads to the dullest work, in my opinion, and we have been bored stiff long enough I think.”
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly



And speaking of Harriet Tubman, Tom and I watched the new movie, Harriet, this weekend. Loved it, just as we knew we would! 



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And isn't this so inspiring?  ---


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Personally? 

While watching those Daily Woo videos I've often asked myself, "I know my current gifts/callings, but is there something else I should be creating? Another legacy God wants me to leave? If so, I'm open, Lord! Just let me know."  シ


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If we have just one mental picture of a legacy, we've placed a limit on the limitless creativity of God. Or we've unknowingly tried, anyway.







"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15


5 comments:

Betsy said...

What a great post. I just read another a post by another blogger yesterday who said something similar and it sure made me think. Instead of lamenting all of the ways I used to serve/help others before my physical limitations set in, she reminded me of all of the ways I can still be used by Him. And I have never met her and she doesn't know me at all. Isn't God amazing?
I have been doing those things all along, but thinking that they weren't "good enough". Thanks for your encouraging words Debra. You are a light in my life and I'm glad you're my friend.
Blessings and love,
Betsy

Pam said...

So much solid truth here. Most of us will never be Mother Teresa, but ALL of us can fulfill God's plan for us, with His help. Sometimes we minimize the impact we're making on our world. The word of encouragement to a cashier, a phone call to check on someone, doing something for a neighbor, praying throughout our day, etc. I truly believe the greatest gift we can give is through our prayers. Debra, thank you for this post.

Debra said...

Thanks so much Betsy and Pam! I always appreciated your added thoughts and insights and I'm grateful for each of you. You inspire and encourage me every week and for that I say thank-you so much. No, really! Blessings, Debra

Andrea Charles said...

What a great thought it, Debra! All cannot be a Harriett Tubman or a Mother Theresa, but you can be the God’s Messiah by just being creative. The creations that bring joy and smile to anyone’s face and let’s not kill the dreams before it is born. Think positive and spread happiness!! Go on inspiring, Debra!!

Mayura said...

Thank you so much, Debra! I appreciate your thoughts and insight. I always encourage people and extend my hands to somebody in times of need and I believe it is the greatest gift one can give. I always feel peace through reading the scripture and playing my instrument which, I learned from a music Institute in Coimbatore . Much Blessings! Keep inspiring.