Hey, Darling Things!
I am about to write one of the fastest posts of my life because it’s almost time for the ministry to close for the day and I don’t like for any of the support staff to feel like they have to stay around and wait for me. My man will also be ready for his wife to come home. I don’t have time to think about how I should say this or to proof it and rehash it for the next two hours. I’m just going to spit it out there because I can’t shake it from my mind and I feel it pressing on me in such a way that I’ve got to release it.
In the wonderful (and I really do mean wonderful) world of blogs and Twitter-follows, a pile-up can happen with the potential to profoundly hinder the Gospel. We can find ourselves suddenly feeling panicked, or confused, or left out, or just plain lame because our follow-ship of Christ doesn’t look like someone else’s that we admire. I know that’s a yawner. I mean, who doesn’t already know that can happen? Talk about an elementary grasp of the obvious. But stay with me here a second and hash this out a bit because this very thing happened to me yesterday. And I feel like if it happened to me – and I’ve been pretty convinced of the direction of my calling for years now – that it could happen to a lot of us. Especially those who haven’t quite gotten their footing yet. See if you relate:
I read a fabulous post by a young woman I greatly respect and I was moved and convicted by it but over the next few hours I fell into the (self-induced!) trap of thinking things like, “I should have taken that same stand. That’s what’s really important. We should have vastly downsized. We should have moved to the inner city. Not out to the country. I need to get rid of more stuff. ” (And I do, for crying out loud.) “And I need to be more active globally.” And on and on and on. Now, listen to me carefully when I tell you that it was not her post. The post was tremendous, filled with the love of Jesus, and such a portrayal of the Gospel. The problem was what my mind then did with it.
I started thinking of all the people who are doing effectual things for the Kingdom, who I admire tremendously and often wish I were more like. For instance, I started thinking of some Bible professors who I follow who spend all of their work lives training up students in the Scriptures then watch them walk out into the world and take their places. Now, that’s huge. And I started thinking of my dear friends who do amazing and courageous work to fight the atrocities of human trafficking and I think, “Now, THAT’S enormous! What a reflection of the heart of God! Freedom!!! Does it get any bigger than that?? THAT’S what God’s prioritizing right now!” They impact and motivate me every day. And then I start thinking of people who’ve adopted numerous orphans and those who put their hearts at risk over and over as fabulous, loving foster parents. I love children! What could be more Christ-like than that??? And I have so many missionary friends who have left every worldly comfort for the Gospel of the living Lord Jesus Christ, sometimes at the daily risk of their lives. That is the Great Commission! The main thing Jesus sent us out to do!
AND, SISTER, IT IS.
But which cause do we take up? Where do we begin? Which one is God’s favorite?? Who’s God’s favorite??? Because I want to be like God’s favorite, don’t you? Yes, yes, Jesus is God’s favorite. And He is the one and only Person we should want to be just like. But, let’s admit it. Sometimes we can get a little confused in this lens we have to the world through one quick gleaming glance at our screen. The works of God taking place out there are astounding! And some of them we now have the privilege to give ear to every single day through Twitter. It’s fabulous. I absolutely love it. But it can also be bewildering as we try to figure out where we fit in all of that. And maybe we can’t see a fit at all.
Here’s what I want to throw at you to consider. This is what I felt God placed upon my heart as I wrestled with this last night.
What do you look like when you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength?
Because THAT person, Girlfriend, is who He’s looking for in you.
When we’re trying to hash out God’s priorities for us, that’s IT in a nutshell. “Teacher, which commandment is the most important of all?”
And that’s what He told them.
So, let me ask you this: when you are teeming with love for the Lord your God, who are you right then? What is your passion? What is it that you are bursting to do? That’s probably the stream of your calling. I’m not asking you who you see in front of you when you feel the most love for Jesus because that could be your pastor or your teacher or your worship leader. I’m asking you who is INSIDE OF YOU when you are flooded with the fiery love of Christ? Right there in that passion you’ll start discovering that purpose.
You following Christ will not always look the same as someone else following Christ. Why on earth would He have bothered to form you in your mother’s womb with your own DNA and life experience ahead just to copy what someone else you’re seeing is doing?
Who are you supposed to look like in your calling here on earth and in the way you follow Christ? You’re supposed to look like the version of you that loves Jesus with everything in you.
That’s the real you.
And that’s the road down which you will find what He put you on the planet to do. You don’t have to figure out what to surrender to. Just surrender your heart to Jesus. Every single ounce of it. Ask Him to give you a love for Him that surpasses anything in your human experience. A supernatural capacity. And ask Him for it every day until He does it and then ask Him to do it some more. If you’re a writer, your exploding love for Him will bring it out. If you’re a liberator, you will not be able to keep yourself from seeing to the oppressed. If you’re a teacher, you won’t be able to quit studying except to share what you learned with somebody. If you love Him with your whole heart and that whole heart bursts to sell everything and move to China, Girl, get your passport!
Who would you be if you loved Jesus with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength?
That’s what you’re meant to look like.
Let THAT person follow Him, and He, Child, will make you a fisher of men.
My fastest post ever. But I feel better.
I love you guys so much.
Thank you Beth. You heard from the Lord. Taking this one to heart! God bless you!!!
Beth,
If I could just hug you around the neck right now, know that I would. A million times – thank you. If you had read my latest blog post, you would know that I am a product of wanting to be everyone else and not me, or maybe simply just a product of trying to many things out at once. I still don’t know my calling, and I’ve grown weary of figuring it out, but thank you again a million times. This was just what my soul needed right this minute.
Jamie
Beth,
Truly a Word from the Lord….one that is an answer to prayer. I just praise the Lord for how He is showing me the pieces of the puzzle that come together to reveal the next stepping stone in his path for my life.
Thank you for again being an instrument of our Holy God!
Beth, if you are wondering about your calling…Trust me, you are “making disciples”
Oh, my, Beth, did I ever need to hear that word from you today!! Thank you listening to the Lord and for your heart of love for me and all your other siestas in Christ!!
Beth, you must have been reading my mind (or better yet, my heart cry). It seems lately, at times, I feel totally lacking in my service for Him. Every example you used has run through my head over the last few months. I am trusting and obeying Him for where I am right now, right here. It’s where He wants me…not overseas, not adopting, not a Bible scholar, but just me! As one who loves Him so, serving those who are in my world…my family, my neighbors, my church, the people unknown to me that I come across everyday. Thank you for “talking” with us today! “His faithful follower I will be, for by His hand He leadeth me!”
I’m so glad to read this. Today has been a battle. The enemy not only tries to get us to sin, but he accuses us and tries to make us doubt we are even believers. He has been accusing me today because I have not always been obedient to go to church. I realize that sickness happens, but I haven’t had much of that. I have just wanted to stay home and I did. I asked God today to break my heart over it and to give me a greater love for His church. After this, all these doubtful thoughts set in that made me wonder if I was even God’s child. Finally, I got my 3×5 index cards out and just began reading the scriptures out loud that I had written down for times like these. I so want to love Jesus this way. As I read this post, the Holy Spirit moved in my heart and held my attention in such a powerful way…like when you lovingly hold the chin of your child to restore them after they have done wrong and apologized in sincerity. Thank you for being obedient to share with us when the Lord puts it on your heart to. You are such a blessing!!
Thank you Beth! This is TRUTH! And just what my soul needed to hear tonight. Bless you, girlfriend.
Girlfriend, I’ve adopted two kids after foster parenting 23 of them. One of them has AIDS and the other is free of it (praise Jesus) despite her parents both having it. I am MARKED!! Girl I am MARKED!! My baby’s name is engraved on my chest but after LPL last weekend, JESUS NAME IS WRITTEN OVER IT!!!! Don’t EVER let me hear about you thinking you “should” be doing something different or more than you are doing! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I NEEDED LPL THIS WEEKEND!!
Beloved Beth, email me so I can send you a couple of pictures.
I love you.
Wow, this speaks volumes to me! I can totally relate. Sometimes I even feel disqualified because of past choices.
I want this, I want to know Him more and love Him even more! I want to be sold out!
Great reminder of where my focus needs to be, the cross and not myself!
Thank you for your obedience and love for The Lord. He has used you to impact my life numerous times and I’m thankful for that.
thanks so much Beth!! i have always struggled with this. I’m printing this one out!
Thank you! I desperately needed to hear this today. Sometimes I feel that Christian culture makes finding your purpose in Jesus so complicated, when it is really found when you give all of who you are to him am fall deeply in love. Thank you, again 🙂
Thank God and you for this post. All of these questions and insecurities have been whirling around me too so!!
Beth,
Thank you so much for writing this. As a young college student I have been struggling with this so much lately. It seems like every friend of mine has a different passion for something. I feel like I disappoint my friends when we don’t share those same passions though they are great things to be passionate about. I will always love and support them no matter what but I wish we could all recognize that when we ask God to break our heart for what breaks his that it will likely be different for everyone of us. I wish more of us would live out Hebrews 10:24 and spur one another on.
Thanks Mrs Beth,
Loved hearing this.
Beth,
I just finished your Daniel study (for the 2nd time) and if I learned nothing new from it, I learned this: keep the fire to learn! And in the homework from the next to the last week it asks the question what will we most like to see if we get the chance to see a “behind the scenes” peak at the heavenlies during a period of our life. You know, I couldn’t just pick one! I just want to see that great crowd of witnesses during ALL the great moments of my life! Thanks for the reminder. I don’t want to be anyone other than who God made me. And I don’t want to be anywhere else. Love your walk with the Lord–keep on!
Beth,
Thank you so much! I am so glad that you have those feelings too! I don’t know why, that is important but my mind works so strange, lol! I think, too, I never feel like I am doing ENOUGH, making a very BIG difference, etc. Just need to focus on Jesus!!
Love and Happy Easter!
I think God had you write this for me… if only you knew how I have been crying out in the past two months in particular. Thank you.
Beth! Thank you for being obedient to the burden the Holy Spirit placed on you and sharing this with us. I cried through the whole thing just sensing God speaking to me, and it looks like so many others as well have been impacted! Our lives are hidden with God in Christ now (Colossians 3:3b paraphrase), and we only find who God made us to be by Christ in us! I play these same mental aerobics of looking at everyone else and their passions and feel like mine is not good enough! So, thanks!
I think a lot of us needed to hear that tonight. Thank you. I am reminded of the quote: “comparison is the thief of joy.” And honestly, it helps to know that even Beth Moore struggles with this! 🙂
THIS is the BEST thing I have read in a very long time. Thanks so much for posting! Love it!
Beth. Thank you! Well put–well-timed.
For many years, I lovingly served at least 5 different ministries through my church without any regrets. But a little more than a year ago, He clearly said “you have left your first love.” I was stunned, but I knew where this verse came from, so I spent some time in Rev chapter 2. He is so loving and kind to show us not only where we stray, but what to do and how to make our way back to our intimate relationship with Him. I was really missing worship, love, and fellowship with Him that I had allowed to slip away with all my service. So, yes, I know exactly what you mean, and how glad I am that Jesus put you here with us at this point in time to clearly express these things and help us keep our focus. Thank you so much and God bless you for sharing your heart with us so unselfishly.
A couple minutes ago this showed up in my inbox…as I finished a sentence to my husband saying that I feel like we’re on this treasure hunt of sorts, trying to piece all the clues together to what God wants us to do…hoping we are not missing it. 🙂
We are in prayer about it often, there’s this feeling of “get up and go”, but where and what? Someone left a business card at our door tonight, asking if we would consider selling them our house. It was up for sale over a year ago, and they had looked at it. It’s not up for sale now. So many other details God is working…but just wanted to say THANK YOU, BETH, for this “quick” little post. I feel like it was written straight to me, it couldn’t be more relevant. GOD IS AWESOME!!!
You don’t know how much I needed to hear exactly this tonight. God has gifted us different and calls us differently. Thank you for reminding me when I feel so inferior to sisters who are called differently. What I do I do with passion for Him and for the women I serve for Him.
I cannot be who He calls someone else to be; I can only be who He calls me to be. He is working through you to unclutter my heart. Thank you; thank Him!
Thank you blog mama!!!! Wow. Absolutely spoke to my heart. Very helpful. Thank you!
Oh Mama Beth,
this was so needed. It helped put in perspective my ministry as a teacher to young children. I was thinking today as our school goes through some changes and young are replacing old…what is my purpose..do I have one Lord? This was timely and needed for my heart for it has given me a breath of fresh air to allow me to see God has a purpose for me…I am in this place now for His purpose not mine and oh has it bee a season of wondering where I fit in. Thank you so much
I have no other words than thank you and you have no idea how much I needed this. Much love to you!
Dear Beth,
I have done several of your studies and facilitated several. I have personally thanked God over and over for you and people like you that He gifted and called to teach His word. You have helped me and So many women. I read this blog and got on this sight for the first time ever and laughed when you said fastest blog because I believe it was well said and I needed to hear it. Thank you and Im sure I am not the only one.
I so relate to your personality, and enjoy your style. I most appreciate how you point to Christ always and give Him credit in everything. I don’t know if you will ever really know how many you touch with your ministry but I know God uses you and you wear Him Well!
Makes me think of Sunny frantically running after the rawhide bones Micheal had spread all over your yard in your Whispers of Hope devotion I read many years ago. So many good things, so little time – we can become so exhausted by the captivity of activity and accomplish little. I remember the message well and I needed to hear it again – none of us can do a hundred things to the glory of God, we find rest in His will when we do what He calls us to do! I Thank you Beth and I thank God for you!
Oh wow … I love this post. Definitely hit home for me. Thank you!
Mission not status…
You said it over and over and OVER…
because we (I) need to hear it over and over and OVER.
A wise word, apparently, doesn’t have to take forever to write.
xo
So true! Needed to read that. Thank you!
HOME RUN!! I SO get this post!! I have wanted to be a missionary at every conference I have been to, I have wanted to start a children’s home every time I bring poor, dirty and unloved children to church, and I have wanted to pull every pit dweller out of their pits as I have come along.
I am a paraplegic and know my calling is disability ministry and I am also a Pastor’s wife and have such a heart for ladies ministries. But….every time I read or hear or see…I just want to be a part!
You are right though. Just love Jesus and stay surrendered and He brings along the things He wants you to be a part of. I just have to wait on Him and not jump ahead! 🙂
Great post and thank you for sharing your heart with us!
Oh my dear sweet sweet Beth. I’ve been trying to figure out how to write all that came to me as I read this post. I guess I’m just going to say that this one sentence hit me in the gut and about doubled me over.
“We can find ourselves suddenly feeling panicked, or confused, or left out, or just plain lame because our follow-ship of Christ doesn’t look like someone else’s that we admire.”
Maybe later I can put it into words…..
Gods timing is perfect! Thanks Beth for listening to Him and sharing this! Needed it!
I needed to hear that now more than ever! It is so honestly and beautifully written. Thank you!
THANK YOU, Beth! My life (and the life of my husband) changed in 2005 when God brought me to my first Beth Moore Bible Study! These words, 8 years later, resound in my heart and soul with such Truth! I thank God always for you, Beth Moore!
Thank you so much for the insite and reminders. We need to focus on pleasing Him and not what or who others think is “in” or “cool” at the moment. Thanks!
Wow! Half way through – I had tears – big tears – just streaming down my face! Thank you Beth! I love you – because your teaching, your thoughts – penetrate my heart to want to be more Christ like! I want to be the person he intended ME to be! Thank you thank you!
So good, dear Beth….so good. This seed sows deep in my heart as an “infant” Bible teacher. I’ve found my heart feeling a bit like a misfit toy sometimes. The Truth of God’s Word here is so plainly put – so profoundly felt. Thank you.
I’m His favorite! ;D (psst: you are too!! don’t ask me how it works .. kingdom :: highly illogical) ;D
A million thank yous for this.
Seriously. I’ve been fumbling and grappling over these very things.
SO thankful you yielded to the Spirit – and posted
this today.
In gratitude,
Kate 🙂
Beth,
You have no idea how much your quick “just-spit-it-out” moment spoke to my struggling soul. I am 49 and so much of the time I feel like I’ve wasted half my life by floundering around looking at what every other women has done or is doing for the Kingsom…and what I haven’t done. I have never felt like I measured up or contributed to any “important” ministries like the ones you were naming off. I tried working with our Jr. High. ….not so much. Have I ever personally led anyone to Christ? No. Planted seeds? I may never know. I sing in the choir and on our worship teams, which, if I could not do, I’d shrivel up and die…but that’s not like adopting or fostering a child, working in the mission field or teaching Gods Word. I sing…in the background at that.
Right now I am coming off a full year+ of cancer treatment for my husband. (2012 was a “count it all joy” year for me. I thank God for CaringBridge! Did you know that writing is quite therapeutic? ha.) My 19 yr old has an addiction that I won’t elaborate on and I am just trying to drum up more freelance business to help pay the bills. I feel like I am treading water so when you asked “When you are teeming with love for the Lord your God, who are you right then? What is your passion? What is it that you are bursting to do? “…I don’t have an answer.
What does one do when she can’t answer that question? I’m not sure I know. BUT…Your quick writing has eased some of the guilty pressure off this girl’s shoulder. I will stop listening to Satans lies that I am “less than” and I will keep praying and trust that God will reveal everything I need to know in His perfect timing. Thank you for your words. BTW…I’m doing the James study as I write this. It does lend itself to …”Holy Cow what am doing to live out my faith!!!”…line of thinking. It’s been a great study. I pray it moves me beyond Wednesday mornings. You have SUCH a gift. Thank you
Dear Beth,
I was at the Phoenix Living Proof Ministries at my personal college GCU. While I have to admit I was drug their my mother, I can’t believe the amazing impact those two days have had on me! I have scars and have been burned, being a very young mom. But now just over the two days I got to spend with you, they now have Jesus written on them. I’m so happy that I was for once at the right place, at the right time! Thank you Beth!
Rendee
I want to be that girl …thank you for post
Dear Siesta Mama…
Thank you! My Bible study finished Law of Love and is working through Inheritance… this post fits perfectly with how we are wrestling right now, I love it! It is also timed perfectly as my family has some major decisions to make… the most important consideration is loving Jesus with ALL of us, and following the road that points that way.
I also want to mention to you, my Bible study group, I lead it. I lead it because I love my God, and He is mighty and victorious, and He loves us and the more I learn about Him the more I want other people to know about Him. He used you to teach me so much about him. (which is just like Him to use people)
Our group watched Session 4 of Inheritance, right after Annabeth was born. I just want to say that I am so grateful that you didn’t take up other causes or paths, because if you hadn’t been on this path, when my firstborn died (6 years ago), I might not have known the words “God is who He says He is, God can do what He says He can do, I am who God says I am, I can do all things through Christ, God’s Word is ALIVE and ACTIVE in me”… and if I didn’t know those words then, I would likely be way too terrified to lead a Bible study now. I know there’s a baby waiting in Heaven waiting to thank you for teaching his mama to trust God when she didn’t understand. There’s so much more to say, but it is my prayer that we all follow our path of loving Jesus with all of us – and share that love with the people He brings into our lives (in person or over a blog or over a DVD).
Thank you so much for this timely reminder to go the way that I love Jesus with ALL THAT IS IN ME! Thank you!
Thank you. Your post is so timely. Lately I have felt discouraged that I am not doing enough though I am exhausted and have felt the passion disappearing. I love to write and to teach but have not found time with my husband deployed. This post reminded me that it is a necessity (not just a hobby). Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you for posting! Such a needed thing for sisters to evaluate and walk in and be secure in! Right in line with some things we talked about in Small Group Sunday…I will share with the ladies.