Monday, February 11, 2013

No man controls my destiny....

I have been there. I felt like I had a lot to offer and I was glad to do it. I was a part of a particular organization and for whatever reason the leader just didn't ever want to "give me a break"... didn't want to give me an opportunity to use what God had put inside me. I did anything I knew that would show him that I was ready. I wore myself out serving, working... and even praying. Honestly, my heart was to serve. My heart was to honor God. All around me people with less talent, less people skills and less character seemed to be used, showcased or even put in authority over me. I was frustrated, and I began to let it diminish my dreams and confidence that God wanted to use me slowly and surely. I began to put more trust in the leader's ability than God's ability to put me in the place I needed to be to do what He wanted me to do. Rick Godwin, a pastor in San Antonio, tweeted: No man is powerful enough 2 close a door that GOD wants 2 walk you thru. Show honor where it's due. But be clear: GOD opens doors! I love this. Sometimes people want to throw in the towel when they don't seem to have favor with certain people or organizations. They will do back flips to try to find favor with people. If we are not careful, we will let our self worth come from how others see us. Just keep living to be pleasing to Him, not man. He will make sure you are in the right place at the right time and presented with the right doors. Typical Jamie style, I forced everyone to play a silly little game at our small group get together this last weekend. Everyone there was 40 and under, and married. In the game, each couple basically came up with questions to get to know the other couples. One of our questions for the other couples was "If money, favor and opportunity were no object, what would you do for a living?" I was taken back by the majority of people, whose answer was... "I don't know." It was at that point, I realized the majority may not need to be taught how to make their dreams come true, but simply to dream again. Dream like you did when you first came to Jesus and your insides were alive. Dream like you did when God dropped something in your heart in that intense, intimate worship service. Dream like you did before you got married and had kids and had to pay bills! Dream like you did before that one person didn't believe in you. Realize you DO have purpose, you DO have potential, you CAN live out exactly what He has made you to be and do. How can we pray for the impossible when it comes to healing and finances, but not for the favor of God to get us where we need to be? It is like we rely too much on other's people power to control our destiny. Although I love and appreciate people who are in authority over me in different arenas, they don't control my destiny. He prepared these things before hand that we SHOULD walk in them. Walk in them my friend. Don't rely on other people to make your destiny happen. For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Ephesians 2:10 AMP)