Unrealized Potential?

Are you influencing the world or is the world influencing you? This question was posed at church on Sunday & it really stuck with me.

We have so much potential to live out the grace of God to the world around us, do you realize that? Do I?

Oh, I know our neighbors & our co-workers & extended family seem “just fine,” but imagine having to carry the weight & burden & shame of your choices, second-guessing yourself maybe or trying to stuff those feelings deep down so you can carry on, always stretching toward an ever-fleeting peace or hope or happiness—because you don’t have any true, lasting, solid HOPE.

You have the potential, as an ambassador for God, dear Christians, to live as a physical representation of His grace & hope & peace in the world going on around you every day. Do you realize that?

It’s easy for me to want to answer that question with a quick, “duh, of course,” because it really IS my desire… but when I take a moment to honestly examine my thoughts, my attitude, my day-to-day choices, & my focus—oftentimes, it doesn’t really look like I do realize that after all.

Just Livin’ Life

I go about my life like most people. I get up, usually grumpy at my alarm clock, tired, & dragging my feet to the bathroom to start getting ready for my day.

Then, I say a quick “I love you” to my husband (& my cat) & head to work.

I do my job, barely looking up from my piles of papers to check, except to walk kids to their daily specials… then go to lunch… go home for a quick, often unappreciated kitty snuggle (deep down, I know he loves me… but his snuggle limit typically lasts about 4 minutes)… then get to my chores & “learning corner” of hobbies (ASL, Spanish, & piano).

Time to get dinner ready, greet my hubs, eat, hang out, then get ready for bed & TRY to sleep (I’m not always good at sleeping).

Just going about my day. All that routine… all that stuff to do… but I barely ever really stop to think, “am I representing the grace of Jesus to the people I pass at work? To people I see when I run my errands? To anyone really?”

I just seem to day-in & day-out DO what I need to DO that day & then start again the next day.

Without His CONSTANT Influence & Guidance…

Do you go with the flow, letting the world shape your mind, your attitude about stuff going on in the world, or even your routines/habits? Or do you intentionally seek to lay everything down every moment with a silent prayer of, “Lord, I know my gut response is _____, but what honors & pleases You in this? Help me do that. Give me wisdom & give me strength to do that. Nothing else. Help me live every moment for You & Your glory somehow. Show me how. AMEN.”

I think that’s why God instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” That’s that WHOLE verse right there. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.

He knows full well how easy it is to just hop right into our routine without a second thought.

I need to remember to better learn this habit of “pray WITHOUT CEASING…” every thought, every routine, every habit, every task, every interaction, ALL OF IT bowed to Him… offered to Him as an opportunity to be an INTENTIONAL influence for HOPE in the world around me every day… every moment.

Just Don’t Let Them Get in the Way of GOD

Habits & routines aren’t bad. They help us function more effectively & efficiently… but the danger in them is that I can get so used to them & so comfortable in them that I barely ever look up… I barely ever consider, “what if God wants to change my route today? What if God wants me to interact with someone specific today for a loving word of Truth or a smile or an encouraging word… & it takes me off my scheduled/routined path?” What if?

Will I be willing to let God interrupt my routine/habits to better be an influence of grace to someone He puts in my path or will I be too sidetracked with my own routine?

Will I be willing to say, “God, interrupt my day if it’s Your desire. Show me PEOPLE & HEARTS in need of You today. Give me Your eyes. Give me Your wisdom. Give me Your LOVE for PEOPLE. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Are our tasks important? Sure. Are they AS important as God’s assignment for your any given day? NOPE, not even CLOSE.

God Knows… He KNOWS

Maybe it’s tempting to think: “But, I have RESPONSIBILITIES! GOD KNOWS THAT!”

Yes, He does know that. So, guess what… if He chooses to interrupt your plans, HE HAS A PLAN for THAT, too!

Oh, how easy it is for me to trust MY plan & my view of the day & what I think is just SO important.

Oh, how easy it is for me to look to OTHERS to tell me what is of utmost importance. A boss maybe? Should I listen to them? Of course? Should I let them trump God’s lead? NOPE, never. God has a plan for THAT, too.

Oh, how I tend put God’s lead LAST.

As if He doesn’t know it’s important.

As if He doesn’t know my responsibilities need doing.

As if He doesn’t know I have commitments to keep.

As if He doesn’t know.

Am I Willing to Trust Him Above MYSELF? Am I?

Am I willing to trust that He knows what’s needed… what’s expected of me? That He’ll cover that & lead me in the HOW?

Am I willing to think maybe, just maybe He knows better & more than ME?

Am I willing to LET HIM interrupt ME?

Am I willing to let Him use me to be an influence of His grace to the world around me?

Am I willing to pray WITHOUT ceasing, bowing EVERY interaction & thought & activity & routine & habit & task to HIM for HIS will over MY plans?

Are You Influencing the World or Is the World Influencing You? ALL for God’s Glory

Are you influencing the world? Or is the world influencing YOU?

“So, whether you eat or drink, or what ever you do… do it ALL FOR the GLORY of GOD.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, emphasis added)

Shine HOPE. Be intentional. Be surrendered. Be willing to be interrupted. Be willing to let God take the lead of your every thought, task, or habit. Be willing to be an influence for HIS GRACE to the world around you everywhere you turn.

“God, I want to be this way for You! I really do! But I am so quick to my routines. Please teach me to pray WITHOUT ceasing, making my every passing thought a prayer to You to lead me, to interrupt me, to use me for Your grace & glory. Take me by the hand. Make this thinking my true over-arching-all habit. Use me to influence this lost world with Your Mountain-Moving GRACE. In Jesus’ all-powerful, unconditionally loving, gave-everything-for-us name, amen.”

AMEN.

Coming Next Week

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A Note from Michelle:

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Agate Key Bracelet (Dominican Republic)

The varying shades of genuine blue lace agate stone make every Agate Key Bracelet from the Dominican Republic entirely unique. Each stretch-to-fit bracelet features a gold-tone accent bead and a delicate gold key charm.

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