My Soul has Returned, So I Call it a Lesson Learned

People say that God takes you through things to teach you lessons. I strongly believe that, but I also know that we take ourselves through things because of our own free will and our desire to do what we want. In either situation, however, I’ve realized that there are lessons that can be learned. It is up to you to figure out what the lesson was from each experience. Many of us go through repetitious cycles of mess because we never sit down and take a moment think “what was I supposed to get out of that”. Failing to ask that simple question pushes us right back into the same or similar situations which produce the same results of before. Insert definition of insanity RIGHT HERE.

Not too long ago, I found myself disappointed in myself after I made a choice. There were so many things that led to me feeling the way I did- my own psyche, the opinions of those close to me, etc. The list went on. I tend to be the listener among my friends. Aside from this blog, and a few select conversations, my sharing is limited. So I continued to be in my own head about disappointing myself. I really didn’t reach out to my circle because in my head, I didn’t want to deal with their responses. On top of that, I knew that what I’d done wasn’t pleasing to God. This is where the enemy comes in. I was almost convinced that God wouldn’t forgive me. And that led to me not being able to forgive myself. BUT in my prayer time I was reminded that the God I believe in allows for repentance. And that’s what I did. I repented. I had to remind myself that the enemy comes to attack us. But I repented and accepted that I’d been forgiven. Even with that, though, I was not able to forgive myself. I think when you do something to disappoint yourself; it’s easy to really beat yourself up about it. I remember being at dinner with my 06 and just crying and telling her all about it. And she reminded me that God forgives, and that I’d have to do the same. She also reminded me about the strength of my circle and why those people were there in the first place. She reminded me that those people that I hold close to me are those that want what is best for me, are judgment free, and are imperfect themselves. With that, I felt better and worked toward forgiving myself. It wasn’t instant. The thing is that there aren’t too many people that know us as well as we know ourselves. So I know my potential and the person I am. So I felt that I’d really messed up with my choices and that was hurtful. I did eventually forgive myself though. It’s funny, we always hear how we should forgive others but so many people are walking around harboring anger and disgust within themselves for the choices they’ve made. It’s time to do something about that.

Our experiences are the things that shape who we are and who we become. The choices we make shape those experiences. It all works together. So we have to realize that we’ve gone through things for a reason: to learn a lesson. Once that lesson is learned, we have to forgive ourselves, make some adjustments, and MOVE ON. Don’t hinder your growth because you can’t get over something that you’ve done. That’s not living, that’s not being free, and it will surely cause you to miss out on what is to come.

Faith Check

It's Sunday, September 26th and something is slated to happen at a large church in Atlanta. A few hundred miles away, at another church, a similar message may or may not be delivered.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know what I am talking about (larger scale). Today Eddie Long is expected to address the sexual abuse accusations made against him by some young men in his congregation. After a whirlwind of pointed fingers, leaked pictures, and stories of abuse, the leader of over 25,000 people is expected to address the issue and possibly step down.

In my hometown, another pastor has been proven unfaithful for the second time and may possibly face a situation where he may step down from his position.

The commonalities? Two men who are not only followers of God, but are leaders of a flock who have given into the temptations of their flesh. As a result, many people under their teaching are confused, lost, and now question God. (Sidenote: I hate short-sighted and selfish people and this is prime example of exactly why. Remember the things that you choose to do have ramifications beyond just YOU, not to mention all of the people that you cause to stumble because of your selfish actions).

Question: Why is your faith in God shaken because of the poor decisions that a person made? I ask, are these men (and women) not human just like you and me? Do you really think that they don't face any temptation? Don't you think the enemy sees that if he can cause them (the head) to fall....that he has a better chance of getting all of those behind to follow?

Here's the problem. Many people don't have a relationship with God. Yes, folks say grace and hit up Easter and Mother's day service which I've never really understood , and some people even go to church anytime the doors are open but their relationship is more horizontal than it is vertical. What I'm saying is that some people are so wrapped up in their religion and their church and their pastor that they aren't even really developing a relationship with their creator. As a result, their faith is in their leader and their loyalty is to a church-a person and a building is what they come to trust. That's really dangerous. You are counting on the leader to be your connection to God instead of connecting with Him yourself and that's not going to work because if that person fails you- you become lost and the faith you thought you had in God is failed.

You have to have a relationship with God for yourself. You have to know God on days that the church is closed. You should be comfortable conversing with Him when the doors of the church are closed. With that-you can discern doctrine as truth and you listen to teachings without putting your all into the teacher. And when trouble comes-no matter how big it is-you can look to God for clarity and recognize that people are human and that we will have challenges. You can pray for those that are in positions of leadership but don't always lead. And just because you dont' have a following doesn't mean that your dirt isn't just as filthy. Judge not.

Where's your faith?

That was the message yesterday. Simple and to the point. And I thought that it was ironic because I find myself asking this question of others (in my head) when they go on their tangents about things not working out or working slowly. Patience is a virtue and God surely ain't done with me yet, so when I hear the same stories and complaints over and over again...I tend to want to shake the person and just ask them..."where is your faith?" These are people who say that they are christians and believe in God. That. right. there. Is probably the biggest sign of faith that one can display (in my opinion). Our natural bodies and minds find it difficult to believe in something that we have not seen with our own eyes, so if you are saying that you believe in God then you are indeed exercising your faith. So my challenge to so many of you that can't seem to get ahead in some area of your life, but profess to believe in God...is to check your faith. Are you really believing that God can move in your life or are you just saying that because everyone else around you says it. I will say this...it's really hard to grow your faith if you aren't actively pursuing an intimate relationship with God. You don't have to believe me...but what's the consequence if I am wrong? Or better yet...how great is the pay off if I am right?

As much as this message was for someone else...it's also for me. Just when everything seems right in the world, the enemy will try to launch an attack to try to draw you out of your joy and peace. Remember that recognizing the enemy is like 90% of the battle so with that...I choose to give no play to what is going on right now. I have prayed for God to move in the life of another and just as He's heard my prayers yesterday and today (and will hear them tomorrow) I can trust that He will act according to His will. That's where my faith's at.

Trusting Him

I'm so over the "I trust God" talk that isn't followed up by actual faith that God will do what he said. While each of us is truly a work in progress and since no one but Jesus had a perfect walk with Him, I get that we must each learn to be closer to God and learn to have faith. Its not an easy lesson and our physical bodies and intellect can sometimes make it hard to trust a God that we've read about but have never seen. Some christians even question if God is really there in the hard times. But look around you. Do you know how many times your life was spared today alone? Was it a coincidence that that car barely missed you as it was speeding? God's graces are around us everyday but because we've gotten so used to life we often don't even recognize it.

I have learned how to trust God because I've been in situations where that was all there was left to do. There was not a door to be opened by me...not a thing I could do. So I trusted God and he came through. Even now, there are things that I am not leaning on my own understanding about-rather I am putting full trust in Him that his word will come to past. I trust that he has begun something in me and that he will see it through to its completion. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So if he's heard and answered my prayers before-what would stop Him this time? Nothing. And I am so grateful for that. I'm thankful for the lessons that have taught me faith, thankful for the nurturing of my spirit to allow me to grow my faith, and thankful for what is to come!

*This post may have been more for me but perhaps it benefitted you as well. Here are a couple of my favorite scriptures to meditate on. Spend some time talking to Him today....

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11: 6(NKJV)

Beyond, Beyond

That's the 2010 theme for my church. Based on Ephesians 3:20 we are expecting God to take us Beyond-Beyond. Far past where we ever thought we could go.

Though this is a catchy phrase, I love the underlying message behind the phrase. If we can trust Him and be obedient to His word, there is no limits to where He can take us. The "catch" is that you've got to surrender your will to Him and trust that His will is what's best. Over the years I've struggled with my plan vs. God's plan. If it were up to me...my life would be a lot different right now. Doing it my way has sometimes left me tied up and tangled up in a mess. Thankfully the God I serve didn't just let me go through things, He stood along side me to pick me up once I surrendered myself to Him. The tremendous lessons of faith that I've learned has helped me to truly trust God. I know that at some times, I have believed God for something that I didn't have the faith to believe that He would do. My-how times have changed. Faith can take you places that you've never seen and with my growing faith...I'm so excited to see where I land. I'm trusting God to take me Beyond, Beyond!

Happy Sunday!