I have two big ideas I want to get across. They could easily go in separate blogs, but they fit so well together. Please take the time to read both.
Part A: Spiritual Gifts
This evening at the Upper Room, it was brought up that each of us should share what our spiritual gift is. After being a Christian for such a long time, you would think this question would be easy for me to answer - especially since I have answered it before. However, when it came to my turn, a huge sense of doubt and uncertainty came over to me. I wanted to share what I felt God telling me my gift was, and yet for some reason I was overcome with a fear that someone would tell me that it wasn't. How silly. Yet I continued to kept my mouth shut.
Fast forward a few minutes to small prayer groups, and God completely encourages me to share what He has gifted me with through our discussion.
Wisdom.
A beautiful gift and yet it's so frustrating to have at the same time. Amanda reminded me of the parable of the sower that makes the perfect parallel.
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.
“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."
Luke 8:5-8, 11-15
The seed is wisdom. For some people, what I say goes in one ear and out the other. For others, they hear what I have to say, start to change, yet go back to their old habits the moment life stops being good. While others hear, long to change, and yet make no effort whatsoever. (I've encountered so much of this, and it really breaks my heart). However, there are the ones who take what I say, fight for having life change, and continue to have a fruitful life.
I'm not here to brag about my gift. I am far from perfect. But I am grateful to have a Savior who is full of grace and who directs the words that come out of my mouth. I pray that more and more wisdom would come from me producing an abundance of fruit in those whom God has placed in my life.
Part B: What you post on Facebook...
Disclaimer: Believe me when I say that I am not singling any specific person out with this portion of the blog. My hope and prayer is that people will read this and seek change in how they handle attacks from the enemy.
I'm so fat.
Why can't I do anything right?
No one cares about me.
Why am I the only one not getting married?
The list could go on and on and on regarding negative status updates that I have seen posted recently from several people. It breaks my heart that people that I know are so broken that they feel they need to post their deepest hurt in order for someone to take notice. Well, it ends there. Here's truth that you need to know:
Do you know that you are loved far more than you can even begin to fathom? (John 3:16)
Do you know that you are a child of God and you are uniquely crafted to be able to reflect the amazing character of Christ? (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Do you know that there is no one else like you for a reason? (Psalm 139:13-14)
Do you know that God's grace is bigger than anything you've ever done? (Romans 5:1-8)
Do you know that all these negative things you post about yourself are false? Those thoughts and emotions are attacks of the enemy trying to snatch you away for the One who loves you with an everlasting love. Acknowledge the Lord, surrender to Him your pain - for He will deliver. (Psalm 91:14-16)
If you're someone posting these hurtful things about yourself, I challenge you to turn to Christ for your identity, and not the world, and to also seek the counsel of someone who loves and fears the Lord. Giving an open forum to anyone who has access to comment on your Facebook page is simply asking for more trouble or for temporary/false security.
I pray that you don't allow this to go in one ear and out the other, or begin to change and crumble the moment something hurtful happens, or say you want to change but do nothing about it. The love of Christ can guide you through any hurt you're dealing with. Hold His hand along the path. He will never leave you and He will always speak truth into your life. Just listen.
In His Love. <3
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