The Irony that Produced Opportuniy for Meekness

I didn't know whether to title this Irony, Meekness (ie Strength Under Control), or Big Doors Swing on Little Hinges.

So far this year two very similar instances have come my way and caused me to pause and strongly consider my responses. To date I have been successful in taking the high road but boy does the enemy push me otherwise!

I have recently found myself under great scrutiny, and to my intended hurt, for keeping secrets. But I remember reading somewhere that Love Covers a Multitude of Sins! And when I look at successful people in society I notice that we don't know much of their personal life. Would they have made it to the top if we knew of the skeletons in their closets? Of course, you may argue that in the Kingdom everything is different. I say, yes, to be effective in ministry we must be willing to admit that we have clay feet...but...we don't have to take off our shoes and show them! It's for the sake of the ministry, after all! The irony...it's these very people's secrets that if I don't keep quiet about, will knock them out of a six figure (no exaggeration) blessing! Three sentences from my lips and it's all over! To be honest, I am no saint, and it would be much easier if these folk knew this and could acknowledge my efforts on their behalf but even that's not the case. They have no clue and will most likely still keep me under fire for being a secret keeper!

In the second situation, someone told absolute lies about me and I chose not to defend myself (trying to model what I see Jesus doing when He doesn't even speak to the accusations against Him). What you don't realize is that it don't end there...there is a snowball or ripple effect where it keeps going and going and only getting bigger and badder as it spreads and becomes very difficult to maneuver in. I only know of a few lies but the consequences for me have been so drastic that I am assuming their must have been more that I don't even have a chance of addressing. The irony, again, if I told what I know for absolute sure to be the truth about this person it would cost them their job. I had even casually counseled the person against this behavior but to not avail. So, figuring that it would eventually be discovered and not wanting to be associated with it I withdrew myself from their company. But the snowball has become an avalanche and the ripple a tidal wave. So that I don't find myself trying to survive a tsunami I have decided to completely remove myself from the whole situation and take my secrets with me. At times I struggle with the extensive damage this person can cause to many but the Bible speaks very negatively against tattletailing and that's my final answer!

My email from Jesus! Wed. Feb. 5th

“My Princess…Give of Yourself

I see how you pour yourself out to people.  I love your heart and how you extend a helping hand to those in need.  You will discover the true source of serenity and joy every time you step outside of yourself and give your life for my sake.  I want you to remember you can never out give me, my love.  Anything you do or say to further My Kingdom will be given back to you abundantly.  Now go…give your gifts of time and tenderness to a world that desperately needs a touch from me through you.

Love,

Your King and giver of life”

In studying Elisha (which, by the way, is a fantastically interesting study) and reading where he parted the Jordan, it got me thinking about Moses parting the Red Sea; which got me thinking about unbelievers. I have heard scientists and historians try to explain it away saying it was a more shallow body of water. But then a child responded to this by exclaiming what a miracle it was that all those soldiers drowned in such a shallow body of water! hehe

But I say...if Houdini, David Copperfield, or the like had parted a mere bowl of water most of the world would gasp in amazement and still be talking and writing about it!

Why are some so afraid to give God His glory? That question is not asked prideful or in haughtiness. We need to seek an answer to this question because those nay sayers are God's creation, too, and He cares to see them saved.

Last year I prayed to hear God's voice more clearly and through devoted time in the Word God answered my prayer.

This year I have prayed for humility and I always pray for wisdom. So He has given me these two sections of scripture to hold on to this year.

James 1:5-8 NASB

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 
And...

Isaiah 53:6-7 NASB

6 All of us like sheep have gone astray,
Each of us has turned to his own way;
But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all
To fall on Him.

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,
And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,
So He did not open His mouth....

 

http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-More-Than-Think-ebook/dp/B00EC5MUU2

This is the book I worked on (see the acknowledgements page for my claim to fame) years ago and it's finally published! Some of you will remember the subtitle as my working title. This is the kindle edition on Amazon. Email me SondraBright@bellsouth.net if you want a paperback or hardback copy. They are $12 and $16 respectively. I pray and believe this book will be a blessing to many.

J. R. R. Tolkien @TolkienQuote

"If a man has stolen something from me, then before God I declare it a gift." #Tolkien (From a letter to #CSLewis)

 "The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbor's glory should be laid daily on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. ... "
― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory    

I love you, God. I really love you so much! Thank you from your far too prideful child. And btw, "Yes, sir."

You can't lead full of that jet fuel you are loaded with now. -God