Heal and Bless or Hurt and Poison

I remember reading in the book "Heart of the Artist" by Rory Noland this statement regarding our speech and how we treat others: "Everyone has the opportunity to either Heal and Bless or Hurt and Poison". This quote comes to mind with regards to my recent attitude and speech.

Today I asked myself the question, "Are people encouraged after talking to you or do they leave feeling worse about whatever you talked about?"

I think I used to be primarily an encourager. But sadly, through this last season of my life I'm afraid that I've become way too comfortable pointing out the negative side of things, whether it's a situation that's directly related to me or not. I absolutely despise the thought that when someone walks away from a conversation with me they are more frustrated or discouraged about whatever we talked about. Depending on how close of a friend they are, they may not feel directly frustrated or discouraged with me personally. It may just be that they feel worse about things in general.

Either way, I don't want to be the guy that does that to people. I want to be the guy that encourages people to where they leave having more hope than when they showed up. Especially as a leader, I MUST be more conscious of my words.

This is just part of my Marco Polo game with God. I hear Him respond to my Marco...now I must act. If I just stand in the deep end and don't move. I'll stay in the deep end with my eyes closed.

God, thank you for not giving up on me.
Johnny

Marco Polo

I had this picture come to mind today while talking with a friend about how we "spend time" with God or how we "seek" him. He asked me, "What do you mean by 'spending time' with God?" And as I began to answer I realized that the most important part of spending time with God for me lately has been very simple: Listening.

This was the picture I got of how many of us, including me, often "spend time" with God: It's like we're in a pool playing a game of Marco Polo with God. Only, we're so freaked out because our eyes are closed (seeing through a dark glass) that we just keep yelling over and over "Marco! marco! marco!"; never stopping and being still and listening for God to say in His still quiet voice, "Polo". Remember with me, the best Marco Polo players were the ones that would stop for a moment and listen well, then pursue with everything they had the spot they heard "Polo".

The most important aspect of us "spending time" with God is not the praying, singing, asking part. To truly find God's purpose and plan...we MUST slow down and listen. And if you don't stop in your tracks sometimes to do it, you won't hear that quiet voice say, "Polo".

It takes humility to be still. It takes humility to realize that we don't understand all the variables. It takes humility to let God lead...to close our eyes...and look all silly saying, "marco"...while everyone else watches us float around the pool.

I can tell you from recent experience. It's such a wonderful wonderful thing to hear God say "polo". Are you listening?

Between A and B

I haven't posted in SO long. There's been so much going on over the last several months as God has continued to lead me through incredible transition in ministry and life in general. At the end of July the interim position that I was serving in came to a close. Unfortunately, this happened before I found a new place to land. So as you can imagine the last several months have been challenging and even scary at times as I've continued to prayerfully search for a place to plant.

Here's the biggest lesson that God's been teaching me during this season:

God is watching for me to honor Him with a humble spirit and attitude in between points A and B. At point A, of course I'm humble...that's where I'm making my request. At point B, of course I'm humble...I've just received what I need or asked for. But inbetween those two places is where God is truly honored or not.

Here's how God began this lesson in me:

The other day while out picking up some things for the house I came across a Thomas The Train bathtub toy for my son, Cooper. He had been especially pleasant and obedient for several days so I decided to buy it for him and surprise him that night at bath time. After dinner, we stopped by the grocery store for a few essentials and while there Cooper spotted a little plastic Thomas toy that he went absolutely berzerk for. When I told him no he threw a complete fit. So I told him, "Cooper, daddy has a surprise for you at home that you don't even know about yet". And then my own words continued to ring in my ears...from God...in direct response to my tantrum attitude I'd been giving Him. "Johnny, I have things set aside for you that you don't even know about yet."

I was so convicted of what my attitude has been regarding my circumstances. I'd literally prayed with frustration..."God why wasn't church xyz interested in me? I'm perfectly equipped for that position, God!" And, "God! what's wrong with those people? Not even wanting to interview me because I don't have a formal seminary degree??? How could they have that kind of tunnel vision??" And so on and so forth. All the "tantrum" things that I'm sure Cooper was thinking when throwing a fit for a piece of blue plastic. But see, I knew that what I had for Cooper would bless him WAY more than what he was throwing the fit for. And it was a reward for how his attitude had been during the previous days; without promise of reward, but simply because he was honoring me and Suzii as his parents.

And so it is with God our Father. What He has for us is always WAY better than whatever we're throwing a fit for. But, He is looking for a humble spirit from us. Not just when we want something, but all the time.

So the real test for us comes between points A and B.

What are you in the middle of? How's your attitude towards God? Are you honoring Him with a humble spirit and a humble attitude where you are right now? Or are you waiting like I was to show humble gratitude whenever you finally get what you want.