I came home from a friend’s house not too long ago, and after seeing her witty, and perfectly placed collection of pieces, I decided that the next day, I would take on a decorating feat of my own.
What probably took her minutes, took me hours, as I arranged, pondered, and then rearranged…..
but the main thing is still the main thing….
she inspired me.
Isn’t that what we are supposed to do for each other? Isn’t that why we have relationships to begin with? Why we share our testimonies? And sometimes, like my friend, you don’t have to say anything, your life inspires someone, just by being you.
As I opened my bible app this morning, the verse of the day was in Jeremiah. I don’t remember exactly what the verse was, because I told you how I dive off into the whole chapter, but It was about God’s call on Jeremiah’s life to inspire.
God said this;
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.””
Jeremiah 1:4-5 NKJV http://bible.com/114/jer.1.4-5.
But then Jeremiah said this:
Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.””
Jeremiah 1:4, 6 NKJV http://bible.com/114/jer.1.4,6.nkjv
Then God said this:
“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD.”
Jeremiah 1:4, 7-8 NKJV http://bible.com/114/jer.1.4,7-8.nkjv
Can you relate?
I sure can. As much as I believe God gave me the gift of gab, I still make excuses as to why I shouldn’t share it sometimes.
The main excuse….. the fear of what others will think of my gift.
Will they like it? Is it like other people’s gift? Will it be the best? And on and on.
But you know what, not everyone will like it, it’s not like everyone else’s style, and I’m sure it’s not the Best. But, I can do my best, and the rest, like God told Jeremiah, is up to Him.
Let’s just deal with the first excuse;
NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE IT. (Your gift)
We May as well, get over that one. Even Jesus had haters and he was perfect.
Just like my friend’s choice of decor, not everyone will like it, and maybe they won’t be inspired, but I sure was.
It was the same for Jeremiah. His inspiration wasn’t the touchy feel good kind. He prophecied about Judah’s captivity.
The ones who listened were inspired. The ones who weren’t, well, they were taken captive.
We live in a world where everyone thinks inspiration is based on what makes you feel good. Even Issac, my four year old, told me today, that when I love him, it means I let him do what he wants. I’m concerned that some of the church feels much the same way.
My husband, the greatest coach, ever, besides the Holy Spirit, inspires me all the time. After my flesh flies everywhere, (that’s some Christianese for ya,) I see that even though it didn’t feel good, I was benefiting from his advice.
Like the fact that I can now run a 5k pretty much daily, because he pushed me to give it all I’ve got, instead of just keeping the same pace I was comfortable with.
Or the time he told me that even though I didn’t “feel” like going to beauty school didn’t mean I didn’t “need” to go, if we wanted to prosper. If I didn’t go to school, I wouldn’t get a job. If I didn’t get a job….., you get my drift.
Sometimes the truth hurts, but it’s the only thing that sets you free.
That’s inspiring to me.
Freedom is calling.
Jesus is calling.
Just like God called Jeremiah, He’s calling you and me.
Will we answer? Or will we make excuses? Will we let Truth inspire us, or be taken captive by fear and regret?
I just had someone tell me today, that because I chose to respond and step out in faith to blog, they were inspired to start a blog of their own.
That… inspired me. If she’s the only person who was blessed by this, then it’s worth it. But like I said on day two of these posts, God showed me, in all of this, that I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
If I can, if she did, if Jeremiah has…..
so can you…….
ThankFully Restored 