Monday, April 30, 2012

Despite the Mess

Sometimes giving of ourselves or even considering giving of ourselves in a new way makes me seize up and want to turn and run the other direction.  It's not as easy as others make it appear.  It takes energy (both physical and emotional).  It takes sacrifice (of time and resources).  Sometimes rendering your life drastically altered.

Most of all, it takes Spirit-protected skin to withstand the world's constant stream of messages that say, "What about youYou deserve an easy life.  You do other things.  Don't overdo it.  You need to put yourself first in order to be good for anyone else."

I'm pretty sure someone else called us to be last.

"Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.'" Mark 9:35

I appreciate so much the way Lisa Qualls, wrote about it (here),

"When we love people, we invite their brokenness and mess into our lives. Mess is inconvenient; it takes our time, energy, and sometimes money to make it better. Despite our efforts, the mess cannot always be fully contained. It spills over and touches the people who dare to stand near."

 

Let's be those who are standing near, despite the mess.

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10 comments:

  1. what about giving of yourself in the same OLD way and don't want to start that ball rolling again,not much going RIGHT around here,but what else is new

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  2. Needed this reminder today! I like life neat, tidy, and in my control. So grateful that Jesus came down into our muck and mess, and continues to meet us there, knowing the only way out is to begin where we are. May we be faithful to be 'spilled on' for His glory.

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  3. Crazy, almost like you're looking into my life today. God has a way of putting topics I need to learn about into my life over and over in all kinds of places, including your blog today. Thanks!

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  4. I love when God takes you new places......kicking and screaming and saying no.......but He is bigger than all our fears and nos and discomfort. I love looking back in time and see how He commands our past, present and future, that He carries us always.

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  5. Thanks for the reminder!! I needed to be reminded of this very thing today!

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  6. God is so good. I am stepping out in some ministry areas that are messy and definitely have some spillage over into my typically peaceful life! I needed this today. Thank you a million times over sweet sister!!!

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  7. Thank you for this wonderful post and encouraging quote. I have a dear friend who shared a very heart wrenching crime that occurred to her eldest son. The family is trying to pull together pieces and trusting God to meet their needs and heal the very hefty wounds of their hearts. As overwhelming as the needs feel, I want to STAND NEAR despite the mess. Thanks so much. I needed to hear this today.

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  8. Oh boy, I needed to hear this one! Thank you for sharing, I feel more able to face the day being reminded that it's God that I truly serve ;) Bless you today!

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  9. "Spirit-protected skin"... LOVE that!

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  10. What a timely quote! The Lord has been speaking to me of the need to give more of myself to Him - to wake up every morning and ask "What can I sacrifice for God today. New places are scary and hard - but so good when God is there.

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