Just the other day...I started changing and the Almighty took note. In my heart, I became serious about being a vessel for Him.
The Word says:
"For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His." 2 Chron 16:9a HCSB
and also,
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7b NIV
When the Lord truly captures and captivates your whole heart, like a young child, you just start trusting Him...cause He's "Abba"... your Daddy.
You start to expect Him to show up and show off.
And He does.
I can say these things because in my life lately, He has been showing up and showing off in some amazing ways. I am fully aware that others are watching. It's scary, because I don't want to mess up, but it's also exciting, because I know WHO MY FATHER IS and He makes the impossible, possible. Oh, He is so wonderful!!! Whether it be in speaking or in writing, there is nothing that gives me more joy than to encourage others to go after Him. Nothing.
Still, I have lots to work on and I get so upset at my weaknesses.
I'm the gal who says dumb things, constantly (my family and close friends can tell you, it's painfully true). I speak before I think about things and oh my goodness, end up embarrassing myself so badly I want to hibernate in my house and never come out again. I forget birthdays. I forget to say thank you. I forget to be gracious. I get so caught up in what I'm doing or become so immersed in a conversation, that at times, a whirlwind could pass behind me and I would not even blink an eye. I try to do this blogging thing to help others and sometimes, like this past week, tragedy strikes and I'm not prepared (generally, I try to write what comes to me in the moment, so I really don't have a treasure trove of "fill-in" posts to fall back on, even though all the blogging experts say that having "fill-in posts" is a must.) So, there you go...see what I mean? I often feel like a mess! I have so much to learn! And let's not even get started on the fact that despite my most concerted efforts, I am rarely on time. Yep, do not go there.
Daily, I am becoming more and more convinced that God delights in doing amazing things in this life of mine simply because I am often a mess. If I "had it all together", can you imagine how this my flesh might rise up and try to take some of the credit?! I hate my stinkin' flesh and I know myself all too well.
Upon studying the Word of the Lord, the only conclusion I can come up with is this...although sometimes I am scatterbrained and weak and messy...I am still qualified through His amazing grace (hallelujah)! I am such a work in progress, and there are times that I feel like I'm fumbling around in the dark of night trying to figure all of this out...
But God...
He is always here with me...guiding me into the unknown and doing a stellar job of helping me make it through without a scratch...or, okay, barely a scratch (wink). My Father is showing me more and more, that those things I LOVE to do are the things I was MADE to do all along (insert happy dance)!
I've decided that no matter what...despite all of my weaknesses...I am going to keep trusting Him. There's adventure ahead and I can't wait to see how all of it works out! Being a Christian, a child in the hands of a limitless, loving Father...it truly is the greatest adventure!!!
As long as there is breath within me, I'll keep praises rising to the Lord, who chooses the weak things of this world to show off His grandeur! Take heart, child of God, for He knows what He's doing and has the most amazing plan for all of us who are messy works in progress!
"For [simply] consider your own call, brethren; not many [of you were considered to be] wise according to human estimates and standards, not many influential and powerful, not many of high and noble birth. [No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame. And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are, so that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God." 1 Cor 1: 26 - 29 AMP
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