“The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22, 23I worshiped recently with over 200 fervent followers of Christ and I thought…What is keeping this passionately devoted crowd from changing their sphere, their space, their world? If these people demonstrated their passion outside these walls as fervently as they do inside, the world would be changed. What stops them? More poignantly, what stops me?
Why don’t I pray for the person I see limping? Or the one with a splint or a cast? Why not care for the upset, the tearful, the angry? What keeps me from approaching strangers to bring them the comfort of Christ?
Fear. Fear stops me. Fear of what? Of being misunderstood? Of being seen as a freak? Of being branded “unaccepted” and “unusual”? Then I realized the “fear of man” stops me – fear of what they would think, how they would respond, what they would say – and I don’t just fear the reactions of those I would pray for – I fear the public perception.
This whole thought process took less than 10 seconds. I was completely humbled. I repented of putting fear above loving others. I cried out to God: God, I want to honor you above all else, I want to be bold, I want to live my live out of freedom not fear, and I want to live my life from the point of abundance not limitation.
When we become Christians, the Holy Spirit takes residence inside of us. He is just like Jesus, just invisible. Jesus wasn’t afraid of the masses; he wasn’t afraid to approach the ill, the hurting, the diseased. Jesus wasn’t fearful of consequences, of the press, the wagging tongues of others. Jesus wasn’t concerned about mis-perception, mis-quoting, mis-representation. Jesus kept his heart right before God and acted.
The Holy Sprit resides inside and wants an outlet! How are you unleashing the Holy Spirit on those around you? How are you showing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness – or is it mostly self-control that is being developed?
Self-control is my uber fruit. I display that one a lot – it is kind of a specialty. I do nothing vs. doing something and looking silly. I play the self-control card when I don’t know what else to do. Vulnerability, transparency, availability are not second nature to me and self-control is. Self-control in wonky situations is easy – kindness and gentleness are not, they may require action.
I am taking steps to walk more boldly and approach the unapproachable. I have offered to pray for strangers. I am growing more in the other fruits of the spirit; but not enough. I know it will be enough when the world around me changes, changes for the better.
How about you? What is your uber fruit? Do strangers know about your bent for gentleness or just your close friends? Does the grocery clerk, bank teller, post office guy, dry cleaner lady know about your kindness or is it only shown at home to people you love? What fruit are you giving to others and in what ways are you sharing it?
Updates:
Living – Condo in Redmond, WA is still for sale http://www.michaelmenin.com/ (view my listings) – it’s the “Sammamish River” one.
Work – “The Big Weekend” went really well – and for some reason we are getting a refund. Somehow we overpaid! Ha! How often does that happen?!
Health – I took my first Balboa dance class last week and my ankle made it through! Yeah! Downside is that I am learning “Willie” whereas my friends in Seattle know “Max”…oh well – broaden my repertoire!
Social – Kim Wilson just left this morning after staying with me for a week. I was sad to see her go. I love having her as a roommate! That is Lina, Kim and I at TBW in the picture.
Finances – God is so cool. I was given a monetary gift – I asked where he wanted me to “sow it” – he told me and I did. I had no clue this person was in need! Hee Hee! So fun to unexpectedly bless people!
Requests:
Work – We are finishing training and prepping for travel. Please pray for our consultants. They are facing increased work demands, decreased cash flow and want to finish with excellence. We are also working to put our team leads in place – pray that God reveals to us who is to lead where.
Finances - If you would like to sow into what I am doing see the footer info at http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/ or contribute at http://www.repurposing.biz/ for more information.
PS Happy Easter!
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