Last year I had lots of opportunities to speak Truth to the Littles. Sometimes I feel like the Lord had things He wanted me to speak to the girls. I tend to be very unconfident in my relationships with teens. As a result, sometimes I would speak what was on my heart, sometimes I wouldn't. I would let fear win.
However, the times that I did speak, I was always surprised at how well it was received. It wasn't always. Or sometimes it was just received and I have no idea how much of it was processed. Despite the person's response, the Lord used several conversations and times with Him to encourage me in the area of boldness to speak what He tells me. The Lord has given me Truth to proclaim to the captives and He has ways He wants to speak to the Body (fellow brother and sisters in Christ) through me.
So the Lord brought this topic up some during my LeadTime and then He really started bringing it up more frequently toward the end.
Then I traveled to California to visit my sister. My sister has a heart for discipleship and telling the nations of Him. The people she hangs with share this same heart. They talk about it a lot and encourage each other a lot in their conversations with one another. Though one day she desires to be in a foreign country, my sister is taking full advantage of using this time to reach those God has currently placed in her life through her job at California Baptist University. She lives a lifestyle of proclaiming the gospel and Truth.
So while in California, I was further encouraged to do this in my own life just by watching the example of my sister and her community.
On my way back to Atlanta from California, I sat next to a guy that was anxious about flying. It was the anniversary of 9/11 and he was going to his high school reunion. Many times I felt like the Lord wanted me to share with Him my source of peace, but instead I made friendly conversation. Rather than do the "scarier" thing and tell him of lasting peace, I did the "safer" thing and offered a temporary distraction.
Two weeks ago, I had an interview for a nanny position. Afterward, I felt like I was suppose to go to a park and swing with the Lord. So I grabbed some Chic-fil-a and went to the park. It was a beautiful evening, so I sat outside and had dinner with the Lord. I found a table near the swings facing a Little League game. A grandfather of one of the girls comes up to me and starts talking. I listen to him and feel the Holy Spirit prompting me proclaim Truth. However, as he is talking, their is no "natural" way to steer the conversation toward the Lord. This grandfather just keeps rambling and the Holy Spirit keeps pressing it on my heart to steer the conversation toward Him.
As I am internally struggling with this choice, I keep remembering my choosing my comfort over the Holy Spirit's prompting in the plane a few weeks ago. I was battling wanting to love the Lord through obedience but also not wanting to be uncomfortable by fumbling my way through a potentially awkward conversation or a weird reaction by this man to the shift in conversation.
These are all trivial, temporary things to contemplate, especially considering the eternal things at stake and the opportunity to please God--however, these are the things I was battling in my mind. I decided however, that I would rather please God than serve myself and decide to steer the conversation toward the Lord.
So while in California, I was further encouraged to do this in my own life just by watching the example of my sister and her community.
On my way back to Atlanta from California, I sat next to a guy that was anxious about flying. It was the anniversary of 9/11 and he was going to his high school reunion. Many times I felt like the Lord wanted me to share with Him my source of peace, but instead I made friendly conversation. Rather than do the "scarier" thing and tell him of lasting peace, I did the "safer" thing and offered a temporary distraction.
Two weeks ago, I had an interview for a nanny position. Afterward, I felt like I was suppose to go to a park and swing with the Lord. So I grabbed some Chic-fil-a and went to the park. It was a beautiful evening, so I sat outside and had dinner with the Lord. I found a table near the swings facing a Little League game. A grandfather of one of the girls comes up to me and starts talking. I listen to him and feel the Holy Spirit prompting me proclaim Truth. However, as he is talking, their is no "natural" way to steer the conversation toward the Lord. This grandfather just keeps rambling and the Holy Spirit keeps pressing it on my heart to steer the conversation toward Him.
As I am internally struggling with this choice, I keep remembering my choosing my comfort over the Holy Spirit's prompting in the plane a few weeks ago. I was battling wanting to love the Lord through obedience but also not wanting to be uncomfortable by fumbling my way through a potentially awkward conversation or a weird reaction by this man to the shift in conversation.
These are all trivial, temporary things to contemplate, especially considering the eternal things at stake and the opportunity to please God--however, these are the things I was battling in my mind. I decided however, that I would rather please God than serve myself and decide to steer the conversation toward the Lord.
I say to the man, "May I ask you a question?" He says sure. Then I go to open my mouth and speak, hesitate, and almost back out. I finally spit out the question the Holy Spirit had been pressing on my heart, "What is your opinion of God and have you had any experiences with Him recently?" To me, it felt like a weird question. I won't recount the conversation here, but it was the right question. We talked for probably another ten minutes. At times I fumbled through the conversation--but the Lord is definitely at work on this man's heart.
As much as this interaction was about him and the Lord, it was equally, if not more, about me and the Lord giving me an opportunity to choose obedience to Him--even when it is uncomfortable. It was Him giving me an opportunity to practice what I felt like he was teaching me in private.
I might not always get it right or perfect, but He is bigger than all that, and He desires obedience. I want to get to the point where I desire to obedience God and don't hesitate to obey even in the uncomfortable moments and even when the fear of man is involved.
These are just a few examples of interactions with people who are unsaved. This same principle applies within the body. Abba, has also been equally growing me in this area within the Body. I don't always do the best at speaking up in large groups and letting the Lord use me to minister within the Body in a group setting. I don't hesitate to share so much one-on-one (my comfort zone), but am not so good at other times.
So I am still working on this. I feel like this a newer area Abba is growing me in and He has much more yet to do with me in this area. He is teaching me what it means to walk in boldness--both to the lost and dying world and within the Body of believers.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (Verses such as this one have so much more meaning when you consider the verses preceding it...however, I won't go into that now).
As much as this interaction was about him and the Lord, it was equally, if not more, about me and the Lord giving me an opportunity to choose obedience to Him--even when it is uncomfortable. It was Him giving me an opportunity to practice what I felt like he was teaching me in private.
I might not always get it right or perfect, but He is bigger than all that, and He desires obedience. I want to get to the point where I desire to obedience God and don't hesitate to obey even in the uncomfortable moments and even when the fear of man is involved.
These are just a few examples of interactions with people who are unsaved. This same principle applies within the body. Abba, has also been equally growing me in this area within the Body. I don't always do the best at speaking up in large groups and letting the Lord use me to minister within the Body in a group setting. I don't hesitate to share so much one-on-one (my comfort zone), but am not so good at other times.
So I am still working on this. I feel like this a newer area Abba is growing me in and He has much more yet to do with me in this area. He is teaching me what it means to walk in boldness--both to the lost and dying world and within the Body of believers.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (Verses such as this one have so much more meaning when you consider the verses preceding it...however, I won't go into that now).
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