When you are so tired, you don’t even know what you need.
When you have forgotten why you are doing what you are doing.
When you are done.
Stop.
Get some time with Jesus, whatever that looks like for you.
Lay your life down.
Doesn’t that feel good?
Rest in His love and leadership.
Invite Him to take over, to lead, to live through you.
Lay down your agenda and ask Him to show you His.
“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.” – Jesus , Matthew 28:11, MSG
Your chance to shine will look different than you think it does.
It comes when you are grumpy and tired. It comes when you’ve spent your energy and are way done.
You can do pretty well with expected opportunities to shine. You can plan and prepare. Maybe even practice a bit in your mind and go through the situation a few times mentally.
But the very best time to shine your light is when there is no plan.
When it is inconvenient.
When people are demanding and immature.
When you are with people who have already spent the allotted amount of patience for them.
These are the moments Jesus shines through you.
“If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!” Matthew 5:16 MSG
So shine bright, my friend, this dark world needs you to.
Bring it.
“Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ be ‘No.”’
Matthew 5:37 NKJV
No.
A simple answer but rarely an easy one.
At some point, you will need to say NO to good things so you can say YES to the things God is calling you to.
For those who are challenged by saying “NO”, here are ten different ways to say it:
1. I would prefer another option.
2. I would love to say yes to everything, but that would be stupid.
3. Someone would be awesome at this, I am not that person.
4. Some things have come up that need my attention.
5. We should rethink this.
6. My instincts tell me I’m just not suitable for this.
7. It would cause the slow withering death of my soul.
8. Um, no.
9. My plate is already full but I will be happy to suggest somebody else’s plate to put it on.
10. No, I’m doing all I can right now but thank you for giving me the opportunity.
What do you need to say “NO” to in order to make room for the right “Yes”?
The challenge you are facing is a gift, not a test.
It is an opportunity with a purpose.
The things that challenge you from all sides are the very things that build you and make you strong.
Trials do not create your faith- they hone it, sharpen it and challenge it to grow.
The Sword of the Spirit is dull when the day is fair and fight non existent.
The battle sharpens the blade, the test strengthens your hands.
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2-4 MSG)
The very things you think will break you will make you into a stronger, more confident, faith filled leader.
Don’t focus on frustrations, the inconsistencies, the impossibilities.
See past the present challenges to the vision God has for you.
Get in the Word.
Soak in worship.
Serve in love.
Do your work with integrity and
let God do His.
What you do to bring home a paycheck is not your real work.
Your real work is to love them (whoever “them” is to you: co-workers, customers, guests…).
Your real work is to encourage them.
Your real work is to lead well and inspire others to as well.
Don’t let the enemy deceive you into believing otherwise.
Keep your eyes on God and your focus on the real work of God wants to do through you.
Cindy Grasso 