A Lobster on My Wall

Go ahead.           Dance around.     Sing.     Twirl, jump and tap dance.     I give you permission.      You know you want to. 

It’s not what you do. It’s who you are. 

“Only be strong and courageous.” Joshua 1:16

Simple and elegant words- but powerful. You have many choices in this life. Be a person of valor and dignity. Be strong and courageous. Don’t let others push you around. You are royalty. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. Many other times God tells us to “stand firm”, “be strong”, “be courageous”. In what ways are you lacking these characteristics- and be truthful. Every one of us is in need of improvement, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. What situations bring about wavering faith, and weak knees? I challenge you to look at your own heart. How courageous are you… really? One of the keys to understanding who you are is recognizing where you need help. These are places where God can shine, and can prove Himself faithful. Each of us may be able to name those places where we are strong, where we dominate the playing field. Allowing God to show you your blind spot is not only tricky, but more than likely a painful endeavor as well. This is where I am in this season. It’s painful. I hate every moment of it. But yet I am thankful. Without this season of pain, I would be an unchanging person. I would be stagnant. About a year and a half ago, I started asking God to continually purge me. “Less of me and more of you” was my prayer. He has been faithful to answer my prayers, but I’ve had to go through some crappy situations. I had to learn a few things about myself. Places where I repeatedly fall. Scenarios that make me look the wrong direction. These were things I was examining- and praying for breakthrough. Thankfully, that prayer never grows old. I’m still asking for God to rid me of myself. This is by far the hardest relinquishing I’ve had to endure. Who am I when no one is around to spur me on? Who am I when I’m left to myself? These questions show an amazing answer- and one I think at least some of us can relate to. I have a tendency to be a lazy bum. I lack motivation to do the things I know He’s called me to, good disciplinary routines, even just quiet rest in His presence go out the window. And when I realized this was happening, I became very frustrated with my flesh. So now, I choose hunger. I choose diligence. I choose rest. I choose violence. I choose how my walk with God will be. I choose to be strong, even in the midst of loneliness. I choose to be courageous, even when no one is there to say “good job, keep going”. I choose to be a pioneer. To walk a lonely road, to go where others choose not to. Call it the road less traveled or whatever you want- extremist is probably a decent term. But honestly, I can’t let my life pass me by, wasting my life on things that are fading. I can make choices that sew into the spirit when the rest of the world is sewing into the flesh. And yes, those really are the only two options. So then people are faced with a difficult choice- facebook or Bible; television or fellowship; oldies or worship. These ARE hard choices— I know. I’m there right now. I’m making these choices every day. Its not easy to be strong. It’s not easy to be courageous. Its just not easy. But try for just one day to make a different choice. Break out the tough love- for yourself. You may discover that a small series of these choices will lead to the closer, more real relationship you’ve been looking for. 

and so ends the rant that no one will read : )