Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Something Burning on my Mind

Ya'll I am so busy today, but there is something burning on my mind (yes, I just said the phrase 'burning on my mind'). I just have a minute (literally) to type out my thoughts, so bear with me - this may be difficult to follow. I can't promise this will make ANY sense, but hopefully I can expound on this later. I have been thinking about how we let other people tell us who we are instead of listening to what God says about who we are. The world (and sadly, other Christians) tell us we aren't good enough, aren't smart enough,aren't good-looking enough, aren't spiritual enough, or sweet/kind enough. God says we are a 'royal priesthood, a chosen generation, joint heirs with Jesus, children of the King, etc'. Don't we tend to listen to the world's opinion of us instead of God's? We forget that God's opinion of us is the only one that matters and we let the opinions of flawed humans take over and get us down.

Maybe one of the many reasons the Bible tells us to be in the world and not of it, is because the world will bring us down, after all, we know who the prince of this world is, right? The world tells us we are worth nothing. God says we are worth the life of His only Son. There is nothing satan loves more than a child of the King who sees himself as a pauper. The world will not let us realize our full potential as children of the Most High. The world hasn't heard the famous Beth Moore phrase "There ain't no high like the Most High". The world looks at us and sees hypocrites, failures, and losers. God looks at us and sees the blood of His One and Only.

Sometimes it is like our spiritual tuners are in between stations ---- we hear white noise and the faint sound of Jesus on one station and satan's ugly voice mingled with some rock music on another. We cant have our ears tuned to the world and keep our eyes on Jesus at the same time. He needs our eyes AND ears directed toward Him in order to help us realize our potential in Him. If we don't see ourselves the way Christ sees us, we cant see others the way Christ sees them. Time to get our spiritual radios tuned to the proper station and have it set so we can hear the Announcer loud and clear.

17 comments:

Amanda said...

This is true! Recently I realized that a lot of "guilt" I impose on myself for not "working enough" for God's kingdom had more to do with my concern over pastor, or my SS teacher, or others who might be watching me. God clearly pointed out that He knew my situation, my calling to motherhood, and my calling to step back and let my hubby take the lead...therefore, just be patient, wait on Him, and do what He has commanded: Be still and know that I am God. Do you know that I have already seen immediate prayers answered in this area since obeying Him? Sometimes I think the best work for the kingdom is done behind closed doors...but if we are looking to the world or even our church family and friends for approval...then we will miss the truly good work.

Thanks for the reassurance to a lesson God has recently been teaching me.

Bethany said...

Wow. Thank you. This came at exactly the right time for me.

Eddie said...

Wow! What a word and how true and Amanda is a wise young lady. Thank you both for words of wisdom.
Love ya. dad

Lisa Bolling said...

Amen Sister!! This post is so appropriate for me at this time. I've recently been going through a time when I've felt older, fatter and less attractive. All because I have a very bad habit of comparing myself to what I see in the world. Thanks for sharing what is "burning on your mind." It's a great reminder that I am a child of God and a Princess in His Kingdom. He thinks I'm wonderful, just the way He made me. Praise His Holy Name.
Blessings to you!!

Melanie said...

Wow...That was awesome! Love your blog!!! I added you to my blog roll!!! Have a great day.

Unknown said...

I had just a minute to check in with you today and I'm so glad I did. I know misery shouldn't love company, but sometimes it's just nice to know someone is going through something similar to you. God is speaking to me about this very thing and I am thankful He used you to speak to me as well.

Love ya girl!

Kelly S. said...

So true.....My husband often says Im broadcasting when I should be tuning in!

Eddie said...

Kelly s. I like that: broadcasting when we should be just tuning in ! You bet I will use that in the future. Thanks.

Eddie said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mommyluann said...

So true Bethanne! I love reading the comments...I learn alot from them. Are you sure your dad can't adopt me too? And can Amanda and you be my sisters? I learn alot from all three of you!

Stacey said...

I found you through JennyHope and, ahem, I now read BethAnne's blog, too! I like this post.

Carol said...

This reminds me of Beth Moore's book Believing God. It is incredible if you haven't read it. But one of the five truths she shares is "You are who God thinks you are." It's so easy to get caught up in the way we or others see us, but none of that matters. We are who God thinks we are. Thanks for this reminder.

Stacey said...

Thanks for stopping by - I thought the same thing when I read your post!

ocean mommy said...

Amen to this!!

After some "prayer requests" a fellow believer attempted to share with me, I walked away wondering why we don't let people walk in the freedom of Christ and what He has done in their life! It's like we deny His authority to change them!

Love the spiritual tuners! That is GREAT!!

Anonymous said...

Bethanne,
This is sooooo true!! Growing up the thing I wanted most to be was a wife and mother. I met and married my wonderful husband and had 3 beautiful boys. I am blessed. I spent most of my "homemaker" years feeling inadequate to other people who had a college education and then a career. It is just in the past few years that I have really become comfortable with who I am in Christ and that none of that "STUFF" matters! Like you said "I am a child of the King" and he has blessed me with exactly what I wanted in my life!!

Loved this post and Loved what Kelly S wrote...."I am broadcasting when I should be tuning in." Amen girls, Amen!

again have a great vacation!
Kim

Hollie said...

That is a great word! Thanks for your comment on the blog. Have a great time at Disney!! I love that place:)

Mommyluann said...

Dearest Bethanne,

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for offering to sing "Pat Benatar" for my birthday. I am overwhelmed...really I am! Tell ya what.....just save the Benetar or however you spell it for those you love best...like your dad or Steve, etc. You can just quietly wish me happy birthday by internet...the sound will be much sweeter I'm sure. Never been a fan of "Pat" myself...sorry.....