Stepping Out in Faith Without Stepping On Toes?

Eight months ago, God began a work in my heart that is difficult to explain. Thirteen weeks into that transformation, I wrote a note here called "One Thing" that described where I was in my journey.

Twenty three weeks past that moment, I realize that this is not just a process for my benefit (as everything the Lord does in our life is for His glory and not our own...) but to be used as a testimony to draw others to this same freedom. Yes, in my "One Thing" note, I tried to be vague. Universal. Address the unspoken needs of life. Keep away from any hint of offending anybody by sharing details.Yet God says, share it all. Go there. Talk about the touchy issues no one wants to talk about. Bring the secrets to life. Go there. Show that freedom from the destructive talk in our head comes from the One who brings true freedom. Expose the cycle of pain that comes from conforming to the world's standards and expectations. Share the truth in love, without condemnation, judgment, expectation. Just share.

What a leap of faith! As a people pleaser at heart, it's much easier not to step out, because then you don't have to worry about stepping on people's toes. Getting in their business. Addressing an issue they'd rather avoid. Yet God says share. Why?

Because I've been there, and am still there, in the process. Because I recognize why people avoid the topic, and how we make excuses - avoiding the promise of freedom that comes from hitting it head on and never going back to the world's wisdom. Because we've all gone on a diet at some point in our lives, to try to live up to the expectations of the world around us. Because it has nothing to do with a scale, a number, a size or an image. Because being a living sacrifice to God involves our whole life, not just the things we can do without, or do well.

My motivation? Certainly not to say I've got it all together, or that I'm better than anyone. If anything, I've found a deeper sense of humility than I've ever experienced - through a new understanding of the depth and love of God and His grace extended to us. To bring freedom to those trapped in a cycle they see no end to. To love as He loves. To proclaim freedom to the captives.

By what authority and power? Through the power of the Holy Spirit, and the leading of God alone. Nothing I can say, and nothing I've done - only the revelation that He wants to be a part of our process. Lord of our process. Glorified.

And so, I'm stepping out in faith, preparing to talk about the last thing I'd ever want to share in public. Why? Because God said so. Even if I step on toes. Why? Because His power is perfected in my weakness, and He brings freedom that no diet can.

Please pray for me as I step out to share this message on December 3rd. It's a big step. Sure, I've done many events before, but this one has a special potential to radically transform the way we view food, diets, and our relationship with God. Not a diet plan, but a relationship with the Almighty like we've never known before. Selah.



Join us! December 3, 2009, 7 to 8 pm Bevill Center, Room 280, Huntsville, AL

Nine Years Ago Today

Well, today marks the ninth anniversary of the passing of my father.

While I'd love to say that there isn't any sadness left in my heart, I'd be more accurate in saying that God has replaced my sadness of loss with a tender remembrance of the little things -- a sweet reminder not of the loss, but of the life. And a hope of seeing him again someday in eternity.

Each year marks a bit more ease in my spirit in the grieving process. Everyone goes through a healthy season of grief when a loved one passes on. God gives us permission to be sad! But my hope is that each of us will get to the point where we allow God to bring sweet comfort to our hearts, drawing us out of dispair into hope and loving remembrance.

As those who are left to roam the earth a bit longer, we all have a choice each day. We can use these reminders of loss as a trigger that will bring about grief and pain, or we can use these moments as a trigger for joy, and gratitude to God for the life we shared. Keep in mind, it is always a choice. A choice each of us much make as we are dwelling on the loss of a loved one.

I never realized how much I was like my dad until he passed away. Our silly habits, sense of humor, how easily our hand rests on a hip when we get frustrated, and even the way we build a sandwich (as the family laughs, immediately picturing the architectural masterpiece of the post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich...). There's no mystery that I'm his child, that I come from his gene pool. I'm a part of a bigger picture - a family tree. He played his part, and I will play out mine.

You know, I can't help but reflect on how God has used this experience to draw me closer to Himself. Through the loss of my earthly dad I've better understood the role of my Heavenly Father - who has lovingly comforted and guided me, filling the empty places left by loss. I understand better how my relationship with Jesus will come out in the funniest ways, as I just do things like Him - and it brings me joy when people see the similarities.

I see with more clarity the role I have in the big picture of God - as a child in a much larger family and family tree. I have a part to play, as does everyone else in that family line. And, I have hope. Hope in the midst of loss, and joy in the midst of pain. Why? Because it only takes a moment to remember the sweet times that the Lord has carried me through tough times to realize He's with me - though unseen or seemingly unfelt; He's there. And I will forever be His child.

JKD

What is Your One Thing?

I realize that I've been quite silent on the cyber side of life over the last thirteen weeks. It isn't because I've been disinterested in all things digital. Quite the contrary. Freelance work has captured my attention, speaking at women's retreats provided a sweet opportunity to encourage the hearts of women, a new book release was celebrated (Verses We Know by Heart: NT Edition) and a wonderful mission experience to Ecuador revived my heart for God.

Yet in the midst of daily life and hectic schedules, God has begun a work in me. A new work. An unexpected work. One I begin to share with you while experiencing a bit of trepidation. Why? Because it is a path I've begun to tip toe out on many times before, only to fail miserably.

Really? Fail miserably? Hmm. When I say such things to my hubby, he asks me if it is really failure. Sure, I miss the mark, but his point is this: what did I really want? Did I really want to change, or just do what I want? If I was set on acting like I wanted to change, but deep down I really wanted to rebel and have my own way instead, then I didn't really fail did I? After all, I got exactly what my rebellious heart wanted.

Successful rebellion. Ouch. Thank you, Lord for revealing the truth of my wayward heart through the one person that can get away with such upfront truth. He's absolutely right.

Ok, so with God revealing the heart attitudes and rebellious spirit that has lurked since childhood, I have been faced with the ugly truth. I've spent a lifetime loving sin. Relishing in it as I deny, make every excuse, and justify with whitewashed stories that became as flimsy as the whitewashed walls in scripture. Forgive me, Lord.

I've grown in my walk with the Lord in so many other areas of life, so why, oh why, dear Lord do I have to submit THIS vice (aka sin) to you? Why do I have to lay this comfort zone at your feet? I have to guard my mind and heart lest I become like Lot's wife who looks longingly back at the sinful comfort of the worldly things she will leave behind. I'm determined to press forward, as God has given me the desire and the power (Phil. 2:13) to tackle this bondage once and for all - never going back to the chains that I've placed on my own life for so long.

So, thirteen weeks later, God has taken this one thing - this one area of my life - and completely transformed it for His glory. No longer is my motivation propelled by the desire to look good, or to simply whitewash the exterior of my life with a better physique or more approval from man. No longer is the issue about self - it has become all about glorifying God in my body. Completely. Living as the living sacrifice He is calling me to be - in every area.

Not just the segments of life that I want to address, ignoring the addition to sin and self indulgence that has been cultivated for a lifetime. Nope. He has called on me to lay down this very issue that has become the little blue blanket I carry around like Linus. No more. I've given it to God, and only He can and will help me keep from reaching into the giveaway bag to cuddle that blue fuzzy sin again. It's done. I'm pursuing righteousness in this area. Period.

It's taken a lot to get to this point. It will take even more strength, prayers, accountability and daily right choices to keep on this path. God had to clear out a bunch of other spiritual junk I'd had lying around in dormat places of my heart for far too long - things that were stuffed deep inside my mind, causing me to reach for the comfort of worldly things rather than reaching for the freedom that comes from forgiveness and allowing Jesus to be Lord of those issues. Well, friend, I'm excited to share that I have cleared out those cobwebs and storage boxes, and because of that freedom and forgiveness, God has been able to move on to this issue I'm describing today. It's all connected. All a part of the transforming process of sanctification in my life.

I know that I know that if I had initiated this thing in my own strength, for fleshly reasons, I would have failed like every other attempt. I would have chosen the world over righteousness every time. I would have found the solution to be complete depravity and torture.

Instead, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, in His timing and purpose for my life, I am finding freedom. Ease in following the right choices. Strength in knowing that my friends will hold me accountable. Rather than allowing them to ask me any surface question about any sin they see (flesh consequences) I am asking them to simply, but firmly, ask me if I have talked to God about that choice. I'm not claiming complete victory today, because I know that true victory will only occur through a lifechanging shift in thinking. A transformed mind. A long-term focus on God over everything else. Never looking back.

See, it's between me and God. You have your own things that He wants to cleanse from your soul and spirit. He will have something new for you and me once we are victoriously transformed in today's one thing, but until then, God will focus on this thing until we see it through.

I won't go into detail about my issue, because if I do, human nature will rise up and there will be a bunch of people who jump on the bandwagon, wanting to succeed in the same area - simply because they like the external changes they might see in my life. Well, if that happens, my testimony has failed.

My heart is to see you seek God and find out what is on HIS heart - not mine or even yours. Find out the area that He wants to work, and join Him there. Allow the truth of God's perfect will to carve out the sinful habits, denial and patterns of the world that have engulfed you - no matter what the issue is.

Then, dear friends, together we can truly praise God that He is giving us the desire and the power to pursue righteousness. We will find ourselves walking together on this path to holiness, steadfast in our resolve that we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Though He loves us all equally, He equally loves us right where we are. Not only where someone else is (thank God) or not only where we will someday be. But right here, right now, in the midst of our one thing - the thing He's had enough of, and wants to show you how to have freedom from.

Are you ready? Will you join me? Not on my quest, but on your own. Will you enter the greatest race of your life, grab the ticket God gives you, and come along side me as we press on towards the goal?