"A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me." ---John 16:32
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Wow, these last 19 months, right? Oh, what we've all witnessed, felt, experienced.
And what a testing of our faith! Whether for decades we followed God's Holy Spirit and His empowering lessons--or--a joyless, it's-all-about-rules religious spirit.
The difference is huge. And in difficult times? Telling. Revealing. Humbling.
Anyway.
While I watch various Christian friends committing social media suicide (vanishing altogether or just silently sideline-watching), I shake my head. Now you retreat? Now in the middle of our warned-about battle? Seriously, it's all 'just politics' and meant to be ignored?
That all saddens, but will never stop me. No, only 2 reasons could force me to walk away.
1.) If the fight literally killed me.
2.) If, very clearly, God whispered, "For you, the battle is finished."
Would anything else chase me away? Any cruel words or losses of old friends? Any standing alone or a wounding of my spirit? Any fear/threats/cancellation?
Nope!
Not gonna bail out for any of those trifles. Eternity is way too long to live with memories of running away.
Okay, one more thing: Just as I'm not called to lead every single soul on Earth to Christ, neither am I called to fight in all battles out there. God only asks that I confront those for which He's equipped me.
It's rather like this:
Our part may not be huge, but the responsibility of obedience certainly is!
But thank God for this, right?
(May He) equip you with everything good that you may do his will ... Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called..." --- Hebrews 13:21, 1 Timothy 6:12
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Still needing help discovering your specific God-given callings? I can guarantee you'll find them if you keep the search this simple:
What do you enjoy doing? What are you good at?
Writers write.
Singers sing.
Seamstresses sew.
Singers sing.
Seamstresses sew.
Encouragers encourage.
Artists create art.
Organizers organize.
Funny folks share humor.
Videographers create videos.
Gardeners garden.
Gardeners garden.
Bakers bake.
Hairdressers dress hair.
Hairdressers dress hair.
Actors act.
Pray-ers pray.
Pray-ers pray.
Preppers prepare.
Servers serve.
Knitters knit.
Servers serve.
Knitters knit.
Photographers take photos.
Comforters comfort.
Teachers teach.
Babysitters sit babies.
Encouragers encourage.
Musicians make music.
Bloggers blog.
Teachers teach.
Babysitters sit babies.
Encouragers encourage.
Musicians make music.
Bloggers blog.
Listeners listen.
Animal lovers love animals.
Cleaners clean.
Animal lovers love animals.
Cleaners clean.
Candlemakers make candles.
Personal trainers train.
Decorators decorate.
Personal trainers train.
Decorators decorate.
The sad thing? Some will read down this list and scoff, not even imagining all the places Life will take them--and all the people they'll meet-- once they step into their calling and determine to serve God there.
Take that first step! See it through! Don't quit early or you'll never experience the adventures God created specifically for you so to change the lives of the hurting ones.
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Ever outgrown some of your Youtube favorite folks? There's no shame in that. We all grow and change at different rates and God provides folks who'll help us in each season--
--and then we move on to people who'll aid us in our later seasons. This happened to me recently so I asked God for someone who more closely reflects where I am now and He sent me Inspired By Nikki.
Move on with grace, not guilt!
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"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
Great outlook/perspective (as usual)! 😊
ReplyDeleteAmen, and Amen. I've lost some friends recently. But you know what? I've gained some new ones who feel the same, believe the same as I do.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest for me on that list? I knit. I've recently become a volunteer, knitting for the med center here. On each of my items is a card with a Bible verse. May that one verse sow many, many seeds.
Gods Word does not come back void.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I agree with your post. I am on the talents list you posted, we all are. I do remain on social media and post Scripture there pretty often. Sometimes I think of leaving because I don't like contributing to the nasty owner's empire, but for now I remain. One think I do is I buy Scripture stickers and put them on all envelopes I mail; we are planting seeds aren't we?
ReplyDelete"Gods Word does not come back void."
ReplyDeleteAmen.
Oh Debra, I am so thankful that you continue to stand on God's word. It is solid. We can trust Him completely. This is not the time to jump ship. Our Lord has not changed during the past 19 months. He knows what needs to happen in this troubled world. He knows who He can use to accomplish His goals. I write this from my beloved home this morning. I was released from hospital yesterday. My Wonderful Lord carried me through. He got me home in time to celebrate my hubby's birthday and my goal is to make him a cake today! We can do all things through Christ Jesus.
ReplyDeleteRebecca--thanks so much for faithfully reading here!
ReplyDeleteBetsy--so true about friends. I've discovered many old friends are on the same page as I am, some of them surprised me. It's been great! And I love the idea of including Bible verses with your knitted items!
Terra--I so know how you feel. I went to MeWe so that hopefully others would follow and we could abandon Facebook. But alas, MeWe is like a ghost town--only one friend comments there, so I'm still at Facebook since that's where the people who need encouraging are. That's a great idea about the verses on envelopes!
Sandi--so true! That's one of my favorite verses to remember.
Pam--hooray! I'm thrilled and praising God that you're back home from the hospital. Celebrating with you, my friend!
Thanks so much, Everyone! Blessings, Debra