Posted on: February 9, 2010 by Terri
Sometimes best laid plans just don’t work out and these plans need to change or die. When we sense a change, how do we know it’s God wanting the change and not us wanting to change because things aren’t going our way or we’re bored or frustrated? I struggle with this a lot. After all, Jesus turned the world upside down in 3 years. Wouldn’t anything he’s at the center of do the same thing? I know it sounds corny, but I truly want to be part of leading women in a radical movement for Jesus! That said, should I be regularly analyzying, re-thinking, and second guessing what I believe God wants me to do?
Since I don’t have any answers right now and the desire to lead something radical isn’t leaving my soul, what I need to do is pray these words from Psalm 139:23-24…
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Posted on: October 15, 2009 by Terri
I’m sure most of us have taken the “Myers Briggs” somewhere along the way, in school, the workplace, at church - you know, the results give you four letters that describe your personality: E or I, N or S, F or T, J or P. There are 16 different personality types. I’m an ESFJ through and through - Extraverted, Sensing, Feeling, Judging. Here’s how an ESFJ is described:
Warmhearted, conscientious, and cooperative. Want harmony in their environment, work with determination to establish it. Like to work with others to complete tasks accurately and on time. Loyal, follow through even in small matters. Notice what others need in their day-by-day lives and try to provide it. Want to be appreciated for who they are and for what they contribute.
Gifts refer to the spiritual gifts I received when I made Jesus the leader and forgiver of my life and was baptized. My top 3 spiritual gifts are evangelism, teaching and leadership.
My passion centers on people. What makes my heart beat fast is helping people meet and form a relationship with Jesus, coming alongside them as they learn about him and connecting them into the life of the church. I love doing these things, just love them!
These descriptions all look good on paper, but in reality it’s not always that peachy! The last couple of months have been extremely stressful for me at work. I know, I know, most would say, “how can working for the church be stressful?” It can be. While my personality is described as this warm and fuzzy, upbeat, team player who goes around all day making sure everybody’s needs are met, when things aren’t working out so harmoniously, my deadlines are impacted by others, and I get verbally roughed up by a co-worker, I’m like a volcano that grumbles and heats up and eventually erupts thousands of feet into the air. And what comes out is just as hot and dangerous as what comes out of a real volcano! What’s more difficult, is that I want to speak up, work it out, and explain myself, but most of the time I can’t do it. I can’t do it because, for years, I’ve been told I’m too emotional, unapproachable, too black & white, overly upset. If I’m quiet, others can’t say or think those things about me which is what an ESFJ wants - harmony!
My volcano erupted last night and it wasn’t good! Two people I love and trust said I need to figure out how to STOP letting stuff impact me so deeply and so personally. Yeah, I know that, but boy is it hard to put into practice. They also told me the only thing I can control and change is me. They’re right again.
So today’s a new day. I’m up doing what brings me comfort and hope - reading my Bible, talking to God and writing it down. Prayer, Jesus’ words, and time alone always bring the start of change and healing; the continued growth toward Christlikeness.
Tags: Bible, change, Faith, God, individuality, jesus, love, Relationship Filed Under: Bible, Connecting with God, Faith, Growth, Prayer, Relationships
Posted on: August 17, 2009 by Terri
I need to lighten up. I’ve been a little blah lately, out of sorts, wrestling with change, cynical, too serious and somewhat bored. Maybe I should explain what this really means for me - I over think everything, I can’t figure out why others don’t do this or that and I wonder if all my outstanding efforts are having an impact. Give me a break!
This way that I get makes me think of a conversation Jesus had with his friend Peter. At the end of John’s Gospel, Jesus and Peter are walking and talking while John is walking along behind them. Jesus tells Peter what he wants him to do - to feed his sheep and to follow him. Peter turns around and sees John and asks Jesus, “What about him?” In short, Jesus tells him to not to concern himself with what the other person is doing, but to stay focused on what Jesus wanted him to do. Mind your own business and follow Jesus.
Comparison, over analysis, judgment, whatever it is, I wouldn’t be so bogged down if I’d take a chill pill and remember what Jesus said. He said to follow him, what he’s asked me to do is what he’s asked me to do, not what he’s asked someone else to do. If I stay focused on that, then he’ll do through me what needs to be done. It’s just not that complicated — two little words — follow me. And for me, this means I need to lighten up.
Posted on: July 30, 2009 by Terri
Dictionary.com lists these definitions for obey: to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of; to comply with or follow; to submit or conform in action to. Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he commanded. In John 14:23-24 he said “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” and “Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching.”
Jesus also said to “follow me.” Read the definitions again. Follow the commands or instructions, comply with, submit in actions to. Follow, obey hmmm… Are we, who profess faith in and love for Jesus, obeying his teaching; are we following him? He wasn’t just talking to hear himself talk, Jesus told us these things so we would become like him. He was radically different to those around him in his lifetime; he expects the same from us in our lifetime.
If we let ourselves be changed the way he wants us to change, if we obeyed his teaching, the world would be a different place. We Jesus followers wouldn’t be called hypocrites or judgmental, people would want to hear what we have to share, our money management would be the example, and our compassion and love for all people would be a large part of what defines us.
Some of the best ways to learn what he taught are to read our Bibles, to have conversations with one another often and to attend church services regularly. It’s not too complicated or too difficult if we take it one day at a time. We made the decision and shared that with the world in our baptism; now it’s time we take the decision to follow and obey to those around us. Let’s show them how what it really looks like to be the image of God.
