Shut Up!

Always expect communication from God, in whatever way he chooses to communicate, that way you will always be ready. I’ve come to realize the struggle is not staying out of darkness. We are born in it. It’s extremely easy to flow in it. It comes natural. Most of us know dark when we see it and intellectually we know what to do to beat it.  But whether we are willing to step out of that dark flow is another matter. The real struggle is letting your light shine. Giving yourself permission to share Gods gift with the world can be uncomfortable, frightening and feel excruciatingly unnatural. So much so that many die unwilling to allow it.   You don’t need permission from God because He put the light inside of you for the sole purpose of sharing it. You don’t need permission from others because they were never meant to have that kind of power over your life. Yet we waste years in resentment, bitterness and regret because we don’t get encouragement, support and understanding from those we want it from.  There is a real danger in giving others the place only God should occupy.  If you care too deeply about what people think of you, you are not free to love them unconditionally because you are in need of their approval, permission and validation. As a matter of fact you may come to resent them because they are not giving you what you need or responding how you want. Yes we should be compassionate, empathetic and sensitive to each others needs. But people cannot fill a void or hole in your life that they were never equipped, nor capable or ever meant to fill. Mainly because they have holes too! Release people from the responsibility of approving you. That’s not their job it’s Gods. And we know how he feels about you. When it clicks that people are not our problem it will allow us to be more gracious, have more peace and then we begin to look more like Jesus. How cool is that?!!!

Darkness will bring what you don’t want. Your light will attract what you need. Therefore let your light shine and tell that little voice that makes you dissatisfied with your life, other people and circumstances….tell that little voice that speaks fear and lack…tell that little voice that speaks confusion, separation and pride…..tell that little voice that sits in smug judgment after God has already let it go….tell that little voice that ridicules and accuses…tell that little voice that causes you to second guess and not believe….tell that little voice that always bullies its way to the forefront of your mind…..tell that little voice that tries to take the place of God to Shut Up.

Even though I don’t like those words, we can’t afford to be timid with the little dark voice, too much is at stake….our chance is now to get this right….so get out of your own way let your light shine and let us see what you’ve got!

2 Timothy 1:3-14 MSG

Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion. That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible. So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus. This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end. So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.

Awesome……Amen.

Love, Ms. Wanda, GAC