Recently we sang "Trading My Sorrows" at our worship services at CVC, and Pastor Mark reminded us of the lyrics in the song...really read them to us from scripture and brought them back to life for me. I came across this verse in Isaiah today (posted here today) which again reminded me of the lyrics of this song. I'm taking it as a 'hint' from God to pay attention.
I wouldn't say I have a crushed spirit, but it has been pressed pretty heavily lately, and I definitely could use some of God's courage- so I'm claiming Isaiah 57:15 today. It's hard to come out and admit sometimes that we're struggling- okay, it's hard for ME to come out and admit it. I want to be all things to all people- and do those 'all things' with perfection. Notice I said 'perfection' and not my best- pretty sure that's where my 'pressing' starts. I know with my whole being that I will never be perfect- yet that is what I strive for. I love how our leadership staff at CVC talks about excellence, not perfection, and I'm trying to grasp that concept. If I could be all things that GOD wants me to be to all the people that HE wants me to be with EXCELLENCE... maybe then I wouldn't feel so pressed. God doesn't ask me to be perfect- in fact He's pretty clear I won't be- ever. God asks me to be open to be who and what He created me to be, when He asks, with all that I have- and He will give me everything else I may need to accomplish the task(s) that He's called me to.
So I'm praying "bring it on". I'm stepping out and offering to do things I'm nervous and afraid to do: from hidden talents to secret passions to baby steps in dealing with hurts and hangups from a LONG time ago. Yeah, I'm feeling a little pressed... but I am NOT crushed... persecuted, but NOT abandoned... struck down, but NOT destroyed... and I'm calling on God to give me His courage and His joy and His strength to get me through until morning...
Thursday, August 21, 2008
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
Pressed but not crushed
Recently we sang "Trading My Sorrows" at our worship services at CVC, and Pastor Mark reminded us of the lyrics in the song...really read them to us from scripture and brought them back to life for me. I came across this verse in Isaiah today (posted here today) which again reminded me of the lyrics of this song. I'm taking it as a 'hint' from God to pay attention.
I wouldn't say I have a crushed spirit, but it has been pressed pretty heavily lately, and I definitely could use some of God's courage- so I'm claiming Isaiah 57:15 today. It's hard to come out and admit sometimes that we're struggling- okay, it's hard for ME to come out and admit it. I want to be all things to all people- and do those 'all things' with perfection. Notice I said 'perfection' and not my best- pretty sure that's where my 'pressing' starts. I know with my whole being that I will never be perfect- yet that is what I strive for. I love how our leadership staff at CVC talks about excellence, not perfection, and I'm trying to grasp that concept. If I could be all things that GOD wants me to be to all the people that HE wants me to be with EXCELLENCE... maybe then I wouldn't feel so pressed. God doesn't ask me to be perfect- in fact He's pretty clear I won't be- ever. God asks me to be open to be who and what He created me to be, when He asks, with all that I have- and He will give me everything else I may need to accomplish the task(s) that He's called me to.
So I'm praying "bring it on". I'm stepping out and offering to do things I'm nervous and afraid to do: from hidden talents to secret passions to baby steps in dealing with hurts and hangups from a LONG time ago. Yeah, I'm feeling a little pressed... but I am NOT crushed... persecuted, but NOT abandoned... struck down, but NOT destroyed... and I'm calling on God to give me His courage and His joy and His strength to get me through until morning...
I wouldn't say I have a crushed spirit, but it has been pressed pretty heavily lately, and I definitely could use some of God's courage- so I'm claiming Isaiah 57:15 today. It's hard to come out and admit sometimes that we're struggling- okay, it's hard for ME to come out and admit it. I want to be all things to all people- and do those 'all things' with perfection. Notice I said 'perfection' and not my best- pretty sure that's where my 'pressing' starts. I know with my whole being that I will never be perfect- yet that is what I strive for. I love how our leadership staff at CVC talks about excellence, not perfection, and I'm trying to grasp that concept. If I could be all things that GOD wants me to be to all the people that HE wants me to be with EXCELLENCE... maybe then I wouldn't feel so pressed. God doesn't ask me to be perfect- in fact He's pretty clear I won't be- ever. God asks me to be open to be who and what He created me to be, when He asks, with all that I have- and He will give me everything else I may need to accomplish the task(s) that He's called me to.
So I'm praying "bring it on". I'm stepping out and offering to do things I'm nervous and afraid to do: from hidden talents to secret passions to baby steps in dealing with hurts and hangups from a LONG time ago. Yeah, I'm feeling a little pressed... but I am NOT crushed... persecuted, but NOT abandoned... struck down, but NOT destroyed... and I'm calling on God to give me His courage and His joy and His strength to get me through until morning...
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