I love animated movies. I sometimes get lost not in the story, but in watching how they put together what’s happening in the background. Yeah, I know, I’m weird!
The next time you go to the movies don’t watch the main character. Watch everyone and everything else that’s happening in the show. You’ll notice that all the background stuff is pointing you to the main character. There’s a wind blowing the trees in the direction the character is travelling. There are animals running in the direction the main character is running, only they’re smaller and in the background more. There is a color change going on from cool to hot which is right where the main character is! It’s a whole conglomeration of movement, color, and size that’s happening that brings the main character into focus but you really never even notice it.
Isn’t it amazing to realize that same concept is exactly what’s happening all around us in the body of Christ? God, Jesus Christ is the main character and He’s moving in us and through us to reach the world. He is the focus of all we do. We, the body are animated but in the background; bringing in the lost, telling His story, being His legs and feet here on earth. We’re the moving trees and the color changes that don’t need to be noticed. Oh, did you get that last part? We don’t need to be noticed! We’re not the main character here. Only God our creator and LORD should be getting everyone’s full attention.
Sadly, when God quits being the focus of all you do and Y-O-U become the centerpiece, you may as well close up shop and go home. Nobody is going to want to buy any tickets to your show. Get my drift? Too many people are trying to become main players in God’s plan. They want the attention, the focus, and the accolades and actually are doing it under the auspices of God’s name. It’s a prideful thing and usually ends in failure every single time.
So take a good look at what your part is in this thing called life. Do you have to be the front running main character or is God first? As for me, I’d much rather have the one who put it altogether as the lead guy with me in the background…following, running after Him, in a supporting role. Just give that thought a minute during this post-Thanksgiving week.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Give it UP with THANKS!
Picture the scene . . . the name cards are made and set at each place on the table. The children’s handmade feather turkey decoration placed directly in the center. The smell of cooking turkey and dressing is driving me crazy. Then. . . the first group arrives. Hugs and love are spread all around. “So glad you’re here!” “Love you, Grandma and Grandpa.” “Are the other kids coming?” I love it!
Thanksgiving at our house was an amazing event. The bird had cooked all night in the roaster, and the dried cornbread stuffing and pumpkin and apple pies filled the countertops! Oh, it was grand. My favorite part was having everyone around the table thank God for something that had happened that year.
My husband always offered the most precious prayer at Thanksgiving. He had a compassionate heart and there were many people he loved and prayed for. That first Thanksgiving after his sudden death was very hard. I could actually hear him praying and thanking God for each of our children, their individual mates, and all the grandkids by name. But now these responsibilities fall on me. I tend to be a bit emotional when it comes to my kids. I love them dearly and want God’s best for their lives, but it’s harder to say out loud without breaking down. But we get through. There is not a dry eye in the house.
It’s tender times like these that I’d love to see around my great-grandkids’ tables someday. Will the heritage of prayer and thanksgiving be passed on? How does that happen in families?
I truly believe it happens by seeing and hearing their grandparents and parents doing the same thing over and over. Repetition is a great teacher. They need to hear your voice being genuine in the prayer. Do you really mean what you say and do you really care? Are you really talking to Jesus this way? A fast, hurried prayer just so we can eat is not sufficient. We need to see the face of Jesus when we pray. We need to picture kneeling before Him and casting our prayers for each family member at His feet. God knows when we’re genuine and so do kids. They are the best deciphers of someone being true or false in their statements. Ask any kid! They’ll tell you.
So, this THANKSgiving pray up! Give Jesus your full attention when you offer prayers for your family members. Mention them individually even if it’s hard. All of our family members may not be saved but they know that you praying for them individually becomes a very powerful thing. It will make a lifelong impact on them.
“Father, we praise You for all those reading this post. For their commitment to You and their families. I thank you for their love for others, believers or not. I thank you for giving us all of yourself. For making a place for us in Your heaven and preparing it even now. I pray that our Thanksgiving praise may be to You and You alone for every breath we breathe and step we take. Amen!”
Thanksgiving at our house was an amazing event. The bird had cooked all night in the roaster, and the dried cornbread stuffing and pumpkin and apple pies filled the countertops! Oh, it was grand. My favorite part was having everyone around the table thank God for something that had happened that year.
My husband always offered the most precious prayer at Thanksgiving. He had a compassionate heart and there were many people he loved and prayed for. That first Thanksgiving after his sudden death was very hard. I could actually hear him praying and thanking God for each of our children, their individual mates, and all the grandkids by name. But now these responsibilities fall on me. I tend to be a bit emotional when it comes to my kids. I love them dearly and want God’s best for their lives, but it’s harder to say out loud without breaking down. But we get through. There is not a dry eye in the house.
It’s tender times like these that I’d love to see around my great-grandkids’ tables someday. Will the heritage of prayer and thanksgiving be passed on? How does that happen in families?
I truly believe it happens by seeing and hearing their grandparents and parents doing the same thing over and over. Repetition is a great teacher. They need to hear your voice being genuine in the prayer. Do you really mean what you say and do you really care? Are you really talking to Jesus this way? A fast, hurried prayer just so we can eat is not sufficient. We need to see the face of Jesus when we pray. We need to picture kneeling before Him and casting our prayers for each family member at His feet. God knows when we’re genuine and so do kids. They are the best deciphers of someone being true or false in their statements. Ask any kid! They’ll tell you.
So, this THANKSgiving pray up! Give Jesus your full attention when you offer prayers for your family members. Mention them individually even if it’s hard. All of our family members may not be saved but they know that you praying for them individually becomes a very powerful thing. It will make a lifelong impact on them.
“Father, we praise You for all those reading this post. For their commitment to You and their families. I thank you for their love for others, believers or not. I thank you for giving us all of yourself. For making a place for us in Your heaven and preparing it even now. I pray that our Thanksgiving praise may be to You and You alone for every breath we breathe and step we take. Amen!”
Thursday, November 4, 2010
It comes with age
Recently, I had the opportunity to sit and draw with my five-year-old grandson. He wanted to draw ships…so we drew. His had two big smokestacks and puffs of black smoke and no sails. There were lots of pirates and pirate flags, too. My ship had air-filled sails, exploding canons, and powerful waves hitting the ship.
After we were done he took our creations and gazed at them for a long time. Then he looked up at me and said, “How come you can draw so much better than me?” I said it’s not better, we just draw differently and it happens because I practice and I’m older. He didn’t fully understand that but the look on his face was priceless! It made me laugh.
Lots of things come with age, like knowing when to stop talking and start listening. I listened to a lot of conversations these past few weeks. I can say with exactness that it’s pretty interesting to just listen. You really begin to ‘hear’ what people are saying if you’re not worried about responding while they talk. You can actually understand their concepts and listen for little innuendos of pain and suffering or joy and peace. It’s amazing what you can hear in some voices.
Another thing that comes with age is being happy with who you are. I remember as a young mother worrying about what other mothers thought of my mothering skills. Was I a good mommy? Did I do everything right? But then, whose version of right was I seeking? Now I don’t worry about any of those things. I’m happy with who I am and who God is making me become. I’m happy about the joy and peace I’ve found in Christ and how He gives me opportunities to encourage others with that joy.
So, being one of the aged doesn’t have to be a negative thing. It can be powerful if you look at your life, experiences, loves, liberty in Christ, and living as wonderful things! I do, and I thank God every day for whatever He has planned for me. You might know that kind of peace too if you find the time to rest in Him. It comes with age.
After we were done he took our creations and gazed at them for a long time. Then he looked up at me and said, “How come you can draw so much better than me?” I said it’s not better, we just draw differently and it happens because I practice and I’m older. He didn’t fully understand that but the look on his face was priceless! It made me laugh.
Lots of things come with age, like knowing when to stop talking and start listening. I listened to a lot of conversations these past few weeks. I can say with exactness that it’s pretty interesting to just listen. You really begin to ‘hear’ what people are saying if you’re not worried about responding while they talk. You can actually understand their concepts and listen for little innuendos of pain and suffering or joy and peace. It’s amazing what you can hear in some voices.
Another thing that comes with age is being happy with who you are. I remember as a young mother worrying about what other mothers thought of my mothering skills. Was I a good mommy? Did I do everything right? But then, whose version of right was I seeking? Now I don’t worry about any of those things. I’m happy with who I am and who God is making me become. I’m happy about the joy and peace I’ve found in Christ and how He gives me opportunities to encourage others with that joy.
So, being one of the aged doesn’t have to be a negative thing. It can be powerful if you look at your life, experiences, loves, liberty in Christ, and living as wonderful things! I do, and I thank God every day for whatever He has planned for me. You might know that kind of peace too if you find the time to rest in Him. It comes with age.
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