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The Gift of Gratitude
“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
I wake this morning to a need for gratitude. There are things pressing in and pressing down on me this morning. Things that if I let them, will remove the lens of gratitude that I need to approach life as God’s son, Megan’s husband, Benton, Malia & Kensley’s dad and to many, your brother and friend.
Gratitude is not my problem, it is my reward. It changes the trajectory of my thinking from victim or tired man, to victor and man committed to leading through example and love. Gratitude causes me to see through eyes of joy, to speak with a tongue of encouragement and to live genuinely and lovingly to those in my path.
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
So this morning I am grateful for the sleep that I was blessed with, in a comfort-providing new mattress that Megan and I purchased after fifteen years with our former sleep companion. You served us well.
I am grateful for the promise of a new day. Grateful for the life renewal I am living and witnessing in many others. I am grateful for refrigerators (plural) full of food. For a pantry filled with yet more food. I am grateful for water that turns on with the simple lift of a knob. I am grateful for the heat filling our house from the new HVAC system as our old passed away. I am so, so grateful for our back-up Keurig that is dispensing black gold.
“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20
I am grateful for sleepy eyes and drooped shoulders of our kids as they get ready for school. I am grateful to be able to hold them, kiss them, tell them that ‘I love them’ as they recoil from unwanted touches and hugs this early in the morning. Oh, I am so grateful that God saw in me a dad, a father and a man who might shepherd his children. Time will tell how I am doing.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” Psalm 127:3-5
I am grateful for the privilege of sitting in our living room with Megan each morning as we individually have our quiet time with the Father. I am grateful that just being near here causes my heart to flutter and my body to feel warm, secure, loved and complete because she is near. I am grateful that nearly 18 years ago she chose me forever and 20 years ago saw what that broken and desperate man could not see.
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22
I am grateful for the opportunity of this day. The opportunity to love someone in need of love. To share encouragement. To be productive. To listen. To give. To receive. To choose joy over frustration. To see beauty where someone else may see ashes. I am grateful that Jesus came and died for my sins and rose from the dead. I am grateful that I chose to surrender my life to him and live this life filled with purpose in preparation for an eternity filled with worship, joy and eternal gratitude.
I am grateful for you. I am grateful that you allow me to be a part of your life. I am grateful for your contribution to my life.
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5
I am grateful.
You’ve got this
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Reflection Matters
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
This poem is so good and on point. Choosing good habits is a process that requires systematic effort. Replacing one habit with another is not only possible but practical and life enhancing.
There is an old measurement that asks people if a glass of water is half empty or half full? The proven theory behind this is that those who see a half empty glass of water are inclined to approach life with a more cynical or negative viewpoint, versus those seeing a half full glass approach things with expectation and optimism.
The truth is this, how you approach life and situations is up to you. Is 100% in your control. If you see things from a more negative perspective, commit to developing new habits that create in you a more optimistic viewpoint. Start by affirming yourself in the mirror. Thanking God for the new day. Commit to working the hardest; being there first and being the last to leave. Become a source of encouragement for people around you and watch how they flock to you and seek you out. Commit to seeing life through the lens of the Savior.
Good habits create joy and expectation. Success creating habits involve discipline. They include going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time. Good habits include daily routines that start with giving thanks at the start of the day and giving thanks at the end of the day. Good habits involve what you eat, how you care for your body, placing others above yourself, trusting God in all things, being dependable and trustworthy, having character that completes what you say you will do. Good habits drive old habits and old self away. Good habits are a commitment to revealing God in us and through us.
I often talk about looking in the mirror. Mirrors don’t lie and are a reflection of who we are. Thankfully our Father in Heaven sees the heart that exists inside the reflection. He longs to walk with you as you become the person that he created you to be. He waits for you to say, “I am who you say I am and my life and habits will reflect that in all that I do.”
Your commitment to continued growth in good and effective habits reflect unto the Lord. Choose today to begin a life committed to honoring your Father in Heaven by taking steps every day that edge you closer Him. Good, life-altering habits are the catalyst for leaving the life-limiting attitudes and actions that have held all of us down during seasons of our life.
Commit today to taking a step into new habits, new expectations, new growth, new life that comes from the Father. Today put a stake in the ground that says, “I am a new creation, the old has passed away. I choose to pursue and choose good habits so my life is a reflection of my Father in Heaven. I choose today to walk into the person that God created me to be.”
You’ve got this.
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Ready?
There was a song written in 1969 whose words and message resonate with me more and more the older I get. The song was titled “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” and the message was about the rapture, when those of us who have surrendered our lives to Jesus will be removed from earth in an instant.
“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15 ESV
I am reminded this morning of the fragile truth of life. A young friend of ours father was living, leading and loving his family yesterday and then taken in an instant. The family is left without a husband and father with numerous other titles. Was he ready to meet his eternity? Had he prepared his family for what is now their new normal? Was the foundation of truth that will be the legacy of a 1000 generations put in place? I don’t know.
What I do know is that we are here in this moment. The verse in James tells us directly how fragile life is. “But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away.” James 4:14 NCV
So this morning I find myself again reviewing in my mind all those that I love and care about. I am so thankful for them and so in love with them, that I desire to spend eternity with them. The final choice is theirs and my job is to make an introduction. My influence is made easier by how I choose to live my life. How I choose to value and love every person placed in my path. How I choose to prioritize what is important. How I choose to show others Jesus living in me.
I believe the risk is worth the reward. The momentary rejection of someone that I try to introduce to Jesus and eternal life is worth the risk. Risk of rejection by someone that I love is worth it for the opportunity to introduce them to the eternal life and love that is Jesus Christ. How we live and love speaks so much louder than what we say. I choose today to tell every person in my life that “I love you and desperately want to introduce to you the only truth that exists and the only love that lasts an eternity, Jesus. He died for you and invites you to spend eternity with him (and me) if you will acknowledge that he died for you; rose again; and lives for eternity in Heaven.”
“Life was filled with guns and war
And all of us got trampled on the floor
I wish wed all been ready
The children died, the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish wed all been ready
There’s no time to change your mind
The son has come and you’ve been left behind
A man and wife asleep in bed
She hears a noise and turns her head he’s gone
I wish wed all been ready
Two men walking up a hill
One disappears and ones left standing still
I wish wed all been ready
The father spoke, the demons dined
How could you have been so blind?
There’s no time to change your mind
The son has come and you’ve been left behind
There’s no time to change your mind
The son has come and you’ve been left behind
I hope well all be ready
You’ve been left behind “Life is fragile. You are loved. You matter to me and most importantly, to the Creator and King of all things. He desires that you spend eternity with him in Heaven. I love you and I am so grateful for the gift that you are, have been, will be in my short life on this earth.
You’ve got this.
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Assume Your Royal Role
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 ESV
I was reading about Princeton William taking care of his children while his wife Kate recovered from surgery. In the article Prince William was recorded as “next in line” to the throne of England and he and his wife’s son, Prince George is second in line to the throne, their daughter Princess Charlotte third, etc.
It occurred to me that while the children of royalty are born with titles, they are not born equipped to lead and reign as the sovereign that their title indicate. They are trained over the course of a lifetime. They literally have handlers who train them in all things that their position will require when they are called to assume the role that they were born into.
What must it be like to be training, preparing, watched, expected to walk into a role of royalty? Imagine that you assume the role at the death of your parent or when they abdicate the throne to you. As the crown is placed upon their head, the doubts must flood their minds. Yet, they walk into the role they were born to assume.
Can I tell you that our King had to die for us to assume the role of royalty that as a Believer we are gifted? But, the beautiful truth is that our King lives and reigns forever. The beautiful assurance is that our role of royalty is an ever-evolving, ever growing, ever expanding gift from our Father.
You are God’s beloved daughter or son. There are no victims in royalty, only victors. By this I mean that your past experiences are the training ground that allows you to assume your unique role in the Kingdom while here on earth. As the daughter or son of the King, as royalty assigned by Jesus blood, the role is assigned. How do you choose to assume your role? Head held high. Knees bent low in prayer. Hands held out in need and to provide. A heart committed to encouraging and sharing the royalty that comes from our Father in Heaven. A life surrendered.
“But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” 1 John 2:27 ESV
Today accept the title that as a child of God you are assigned. Today approach all that you do with an heir of one forgiven and gifted eternity. You are God’s son or daughter. You are part of a royal priesthood. Your actions provide hope. You attitude in all things reflects the joy and assurance that all Believers are given when they surrender to the King of Kings and rise as his beloved child. Your role is vital to someone’s eternity. Your growing and learning is critical to fulfilling the purpose that you are created to provide and share.
So my brother or sister, consider today rejecting the lies that Satan wants to marginalize you with. Consider focusing solely on the only sight that has meaning and value. The light of the Savior. Start your journey of growing into the royal role that you accepted when you gave all to Jesus. The choice is yours. Walk in truth or wallow in lies of doubt. You are a victor through Christ Jesus. Reflect this truth.
“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.” 1 Peter 2:9-13 MSG
You’ve more than got this. You have a royal inheritance.
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Six Months
“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Proverbs 3:11-12 ESV
You’ve been gone from this World six months, today. I had you 59 years and the past 6 months seem the longest. It’s amazing how physical absence robs our heart while spiritual absence confirms hope. Despite how much you loved your family, I know without a doubt that you would never leave Heaven to return to your earthly family. Hallelujah! That awareness makes your physical death a celebration because of the renewal and unrelenting joy that you walk in today.
Today I am compelled to share things that I believe you would affirm in me again if we spoke. Truths you spoke over me and into me during the short 59 years that I had with you.
Pray. Then pray some more. You earnestly prayed for me for decades as I pursued all the rewards of the World. You simply prayed. You would want to share the value and power of prayer. Your prayers quite literally changed the trajectory of my and so many others lives. Then when I was done praying, you would say “pray more.”
Trust. I always marveled at your willingness to trust. During times of financial difficulty, family brokenness, strained father/son relationship, times of plenty, times of joy, times of laughter, times of good (and there were more times of good), I would watch you retreat into the truths of God’s Word. Today you would say, trust our good God more and more.
Accept where you’re at. You walked through seasons of identity theft, not in today’s definition but in the definition of what matters. You endured seasons of identity doubt as you pursued a career as a Pastor, when God had other, more marvelous plans. I witnessed your frustration morph into an identity of God’s son, chosen to love and lead others in ways not defined by man but ordained by the only One who matters. You taught me the value of accepting God’s calling on our lives.
Be content. What a gift you were to me in this area in the latter years when I chose to recognize and believe the wisdom of my very smart earthly father. I don’t ever remember hearing you say “I want.” I vividly remember you praying “thank you, Father for what you have provided.” You taught me lies of want and the enduring joy of contentment. You lived a simple life by the World’s definition but oh what a life of contentment you exhibited. Thank you for freeing me from this prison of want and discontent.
Pursue. You loved learning and taught us to be curious and to pursue knowledge in all forms. You would drag out the dreaded dictionary or encyclopedia as we discussed topics of ‘what is’ or ‘what if’s’ or ‘how to.’ Through decades of a body limited by numerous strokes, your mind remainder sharp and your desire to learn and grow perpetual. You empowered me by teaching me to believe in and pursue the God-assigned gifts within me.
Love. You loved better than you had been loved. You fought through the demons of a difficult adolescence to love your family, your friends and the Church with tenacious love. I believe your hardest area of love was loving yourself. I want you to know that your loving worked and works. Your children love well. Your family loves well. Those blessed to have known you intimately learned the power of genuine love that you lived and gave.
There is so much truth in the acknowledgement of a father’s influence. You went from my everything as a child, to my guardian as a teen (with resentment on my part), to an encourager, to an accepting and loving dad, to the smartest man that I ever knew. These six months have been so quick. So slow. So high. So low. Most importantly, these six months have been a continuation of the legacy you left.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 ESV
Thank you, dad. I love you.
I’ve got this.
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Make Today Count
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
What if someone you love was taken away tomorrow? How would you approach this day with them? Would you have a greater sense of urgency to talk with them? Spend time with them? Tell them about Jesus Christ and eternity? Thank them for their contribution to and in your life.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023, I called my 90 year old father before I left on a plane for Alaska with my son. My dad’s health had been declining and he was pondering having major heart surgery. Before I left on that trip, God compelled me to call my father and to just let him talk. As he was finishing talking with me, he said as he often did, “Myron, pray for me.”
What a gift his request was to me. The last month of his life, I would pray with my dad every time as we finished our phone calls. This day, God compelled me to pray affirming words over my father. Over the man and father that he was to me, especially in his latter years. What a presence of faith that he was to his family. What an example of steadfastness, of sacrifice, of encouragement, of correction, of love to me and to my family. He was a kind and loving example to my family. He loved Megan, Benton, Malia and Kensley so well. He always kissed me in front of my kids, teaching them the value of tactile affirmation. My prayer of thanks for him would be my last with him as God called him to Heaven five days later. What a gift that goodbye conversation and prayer was for me…and I pray it was for him.
As I have written before, I love the African proverb that says “when an old man dies, a library burns down.” My library burned down 7-25-23, but so many beautiful books and lessons live on because of the value we placed on the time we had.
So my question for you today is who do you need to run to? Who do you need to affirm their value and contribution of their life in yours? Who do you need to set aside petty or massive disagreements and establish the value of eternity? The value of the individual versus the hurt of fleeting moments that are this temporary life.
Can I encourage you to take a bold step today of humbling yourself in front of those who might not be here tomorrow. Our family has a policy of not leaving the house without kissing one another and affirming our love for one another. We do this because we recognize how fragile and temporary this life is. We leave one another with ‘I love you.’ Don’t allow someone to leave this life without their knowing that you love them beyond all disagreements.
If a car comes left of center today, our World can change in a split second. If plaque lets loose in our loved one’s arteries, the next moments might be planning their memorial service. Life is fragile. Eternity is eternal. Seventy, eighty, 100 years cannot be measured in comparison to eternity. Love those in your life well, today! Love them enough to affirm them and to introduce them to Jesus. Nothing is more important than relationship with Jesus Christ. Show them that their relationship with him matters to you.
“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father. So keep a sharp lookout, for you don’t know the timetable. It’s like a man who takes a trip, leaving home and putting his servants in charge, each assigned a task, and commanding the gatekeeper to stand watch. So, stay at your post, watching. You have no idea when the homeowner is returning, whether evening, midnight, cockcrow, or morning. You don’t want him showing up unannounced, with you asleep on the job. I say it to you, and I’m saying it to all: Stay at your post. Keep watch.” Matthew 13:32-37 MSG
I know where my father is. Reunited with my mother and so many saints that I was privileged to know and learn from in this life. What a gift that last conversation and prayer was with my dad. There are simply no regrets. Sadness at his absence but joy in the way we parted.
Make today the day that the value of the individuals in your life become your life’s priority. The person matters most.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
You’ve got this.
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Isolated but Not Alone
“Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” John 6:15 ESV
“Do you have any friends?” I remember those haunting words from a mentor of mine when I was transitioning from leading one company to starting another. His question caught me off guard to which I answered, ‘of course I do.’ He then commented, “now that you no longer are writing checks, let me know how many ‘friends’ you have.”
“Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.” Proverbs 18:24 MSG
Tragic comments that laid bare the shallowness of my life. Associations resulting from an identity outlined on a business card. ‘Friendships’ defined by what I can do for you and you for me. Hollow. Temporary. Broken individuals equally struggling to have value and importance assigned through career versus care.
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” 1 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
The concept of alone is frightening to many while others define a desire to be alone as a personality trait. To each their own…alone.
I love reading the Bible through each year and gleaning more overlooked and incredibly empowering bits of information each year. This year as I pursue the discipline of listening, scripture has revealed the power and gift of ‘alone.’ I read about Moses alone with God on Mt. Sinai, David as he fled King Saul, Elijah as he fled Queen Jezebel. Jesus is frequently referenced placing himself in an isolated place. Why?
There is a preponderance today that says more is more. Crowded lives and crowded minds. “Social media.” “Vacations” that take us from the crowded streets of home to crowded avenues, beaches, long wait times for dinner. Families fragmented by screens that occupy our minds and become the context of reality. The beauty of quiet and simple denied as old and isolating versus the truth of peace and introspection.
Will you allow me to introduce you to a quiet and immeasurably valuable one on one relationship with God the Father? He meets with us through scripture and prayer. We are everlastingly connected to him through his son, Jesus, when we accept him as our Savior. He gifts us with the presence of the Holy Spirit that inhabits us. We are NEVER alone.
God is omnipresent. Especially in our lives. Consider that as his daughter or son, you are never alone. Consider that Satan through the World is deceiving you when you feel alone. There is no alone when you are God’s child. The simple truth is that he loves when we are “alone” with him. As I read scripture, I am drawn to the truth that the greatest defense we have against the lies of the enemy is the truth of God’s presence in our lives.
So today, reject the lie of alone. Reject the lie that noise is community. Reject the thought that more is more and accept that ‘more’ may be denying you the most, that is an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. He loves you unconditionally and places you in environments where you can most easily and clearly find and hear him.
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 KJV
Cherish the true friends that God has gifted your life with. Guard your heart by trusting God to only allow those into your life that contribute truth and honest encouragement in your life. Be a source of hope and genuine friendship to those who open their hearts to you. They need you as you need them.
So reject the lie of alone. You are God’s daughter or son. You are never alone. Change your thinking from the sin of sadness and loneliness by replacing that mental state with the truth of an always present Heavenly Father in the Trinity.
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 KJV
You’ve got this.
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”You can’t. I can!
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Look to your left and to your right. Look in front of you and behind you. What do you see?
Yesterday Megan, my wife took a step of obedience that she had wanted to take a week earlier when I stopped her. I stopped her with comments like “we’re going to pray about this. We may use this through a variety of areas,” etc, etc, etc…
The truth is I was afraid. I was afraid to be obedient when I knew deep in my heart that fear stood between me and a faithful act. So my amazing partner patiently waited for my heart to be reconciled and then she did what she knew was right when my fear was assuaged. She carried me in my moment of fear. I pray God places a Megan in your life. What a priceless gift my wife is.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1
Trust God that those people that he has or desires to place at your right, your left, your front, your back. Trust that there is purpose in your doubts. There is purpose in your fears. There is purpose in your facing a crevasse in front of you with no discernible bottom. God says to you, the abyss in front of you is my eternity for you if you will take my hand and take a step. Those people in your life whose hands you can hold very well may be the hands of God in human form saying “I have you my beloved daughter or son.”
I recall when our kids were younger they would run into our arms when they were afraid. They did this not because they were not wanting to grow and develop, but because in that moment they needed their mom or dad to say “I have you. It’s okay. We’ll do this together.” How much more our Father in Heaven says this to us in the face of doubt and fear. He loves when we press into him. He loves when he feels our heartbeat against his. He loves when we allow him to be our daddy.
So when you doubt today and face what your heart says is a giant, remember our brother Moses. The stumbler of words. The murderer who fled Egypt for fear. Think of a man living in exile that was appointed by God to go before the most powerful man on Earth at that time and bring him to his knees. Remember who had Moses in that season also has you in your season. Walk boldly in the truth that the “I AM WHO I AM” is your father. Your savior. Your protector. Your encourager. Your daily planner. You are because HE IS.
“Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What
is his name?’ what shall I say to them? God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘ I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14 ESVToday, release the crippling fear that consumes areas of your life and replace them with the humble boldness that reflects the Savior. You are God’s daughter or son who is at your right, your left, your front, your back, your heartbeat, your breath. What can come against you?
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
You’ve got this
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Reject the Fear of Rejection
“But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” Matthew 13:57-58. NIV
What if Jesus would have allowed the life limiting views of the people of his hometown, Nazareth, to determine his ministry and impact? We certainly know this would never have happened because he was God’s Son in human form. But consider that he was rejected by those who arguably knew him best, because of his family and upbringing.
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him.” Matthew 13:55-57 NIV
So here he was, performing miracles, healing the sick, speaking with undeniable wisdom and providing viewpoints on scripture never heard nor considered, and sin showed up. When the people were astounded at his teaching, they just could not get beyond his upbringing. Frankly, they could not get out of their own sinful ways of judging and receive the gift that stood among them.
“Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.” Matthew 13:54 NIV
So when Jesus came and they just had time to receive and consider his teaching, they were amazed. The message of truth and hope that he taught amazed them. The depth of knowledge and the truth of his message amazed them. They were amazed, then sin crept in.
I know so many really wonderful people. God has blessed me with the gift of amazing people in my life. People who sharpen me. Challenge me. Correct me. Encourage me. Pray for me. People who know me and yet still love me. God’s love for me is shown in its greatest form by the people that he has gifted into my life.
I find it profoundly sad that many amazingly gifted people that I know hide their talent for fear of rejection. They bury the talent as the parable teaches because of fear of response. There is an all too human element that says “don’t risk and don’t be vulnerable” because of the chance of rejection. So the World is denied the gift of many people’s contribution because of the risk and fear of rejection.
Thomas Edison said when asked about the process of developing the light bulb: “I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” He then went on to say “If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” So if Edison chose fear of rejection because of failure, the World might have toiled in the dark for many more years or decades.
While I love to write and be a storyteller, there is risk in exposing my heart. There is risk in sharing things that are intimate to me with a broader audience. My sharing what’s God places in my heart exposes my limited intellect and untrained writing ability. I choose to share because I choose to believe that there is a message in my thoughts for someone. That is way more than enough.
As I write this I think of several wonderfully talented people that I know who are standing on the sideline because of doubt or hurt. I think of numerous people who have drawn within themselves because of hurt received from equally broken people. Oh how I pray that they will just trust and choose gifts over fear. The World desperately needs the gifts of everyone sidelined by fear of rejection. The World needs you!
I think of my beautiful friend who shed her cocoon of doubt and brokenness, who now showers literally thousands each week with her incredible talents of singing, leading and walking alongside her Pastor husband as they build our church’s newest campus. Thank you, Kim for rejecting the sin of doubt and releasing the God-given talents delivered through your generous smile to so many. Thank you for exemplifying courage in the face of doubt. Thank you for rejecting the limitations of rejection and replacing them with the multiplying effect of courage and encouragement.
75% of people have a fear of public speaking. There was a practice when preparing to speak publicly that taught to ‘view your audience as if they are in their underwear.’ The thought process being, realize that your audience is just made up of people like you. Recognizing that people who may reject what you are contributing are equally broken, sinful and in need may help you accept that your contribution is a needed gift worth the risk.
Lastly I believe Jesus teaches us to focus on the areas and the people who accept us and encourage us. He teaches us that there is so much ground needing plowed (people needing your gifts), that wasting time with people who don’t accept your gifts is well, simply a waste of your valuable and limited time. Pray for those who reject your gifts because they are equally broken. Pray that they too will move from judging to contributing. Recognize that they are God’s children, whose gifts far exceed their limiting opinions. They have value as you have value.
“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” Acts 9:15-16 ASV
You’ve got this.
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Myron Speaks 