Wow! It has been so long since I’ve posted on this blog. I don’t even know how to convey what’s been happening in our lives.
About a month ago I asked God to invade every part of my being. I prayed this believing that He would take me to new heights spiritually, but something else happened. Suddenly we were faced with all kinds of people at all kinds of hours—I can’t say I reacted well to it. My time was invaded. My home was invaded. (Even now we have a homeless man living in our home.) My selfishness was confronted. Even as a street ministry, we could go out and minister in the harvest but then we could leave it and come home. As we ask to be more like Jesus, the truth is He lived among the people that He ministered to. Here in America, it’s sad to say, we hold our privacy in such high regards, that we fall very short of being like Jesus. Here in the West, we like to use the word “outreach” instead of “lifestyle.” Honestly, I always used the word lifestyle but never really understood the cost until now.
Jesus said on two separate occasions that He desired compassion more than sacrifice. Will true compassion provoke us to open up every area of our lives to the ones He so desperately loves? I wonder.
There have been seasons in the past where Troy and I grew substantially in God’s supernatural giftings. But in this season we’re actually using them in the trenches. We have also been learning about God’s economics, as we walk in His provision. I have learned that as I fiercely sow into kingdom with my finances, that He supernaturally multiplies them. The result is that He is making me into an aggressive giver because I am so excited to see what He does next.
So, that is what’s going on in our lives right now. Never a dull moment.
Wow- He never ceases to amaze me. Ever think that just when you think you’ve seen it all, or pretty much done it all, . . . nope. Ha ha. Only arrogance that would think that anyway when talking about such an awesome God.
You are correct. Very few very few have really ever lost all of theirselves to be all of whatever He has. A lot sure probably thought they were.
As you put in the time, give the money or goods and honestly care . . . but then go home to our homes and lay on beds to sleep.
Trust me, I know there are some- and I know you know that too.
That’s the kind of selflessness that God was talking about though.
Whatever it takes, whatever it takes- however it goes . . .
After all, that’s what He gave-
He gave it all.
& The most generous of us over here still have those strands of selfishness that 10 we were born into with our flesh and 2) have been trained to be from a world that does not love the God who created it.
Everyone always has these lofty ideas that yeah- they would do this or that. But- most people aren’t ever really faced with those kinds of decisions. When they are, it’s suddenly a whole different story — and even the “kindest” people suddenly get faced with a whole lot of flesh they didn’t even know they had.
Take heart though- every time I talk to you there is something new. Therefore- you, my dear friend, are in FORWARD motion. God knows you might squirm slightly from time to time, and other times not—- but He knows your heart and He knows He can trust you with his people—— who He called by name—— even if currently—- many of them don’t know it.
God delights in you. Delights. Isn’t that beautiful?
& Trust me, every now & again- I know you are enemy target-:
devil comes up and says “Hey- let me do this or that to Troy and Andrea” (AND THERE’S a “GOD” PAUSE– for climatic effect- ha ha) THEN GOD SAYS: “You know, go right ahead——– but MY SHEEP know MY VOICE- and they WILL NOT serve you!!!”
And even crying- you stand. Even quaking, you stand. Knots in your stomach, question marks trying to beat in the sides of your heads- you stand.
Know what? God might not like stubborn wills against His-
But I kinda think GOD DELIGHTS in a good godly stubborn will that says
“Nope devil- come what may- I will serve GOD!”
Be blessed- cause you sure are.
Comment by MyaMyMa — May 20, 2008 @ 5:59 pm