Jan 11, 2010

To Boldly Go...

Happy New Year! Yes, I know it is the 11th, but as many of you know, I am perpetually running behind. So love me for who I am and accept my belated salutation with the warmth with which it is sent. Thank you.

Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not normally the girl who sets life-changing resolutions this time of year. But for some reason, 2010 is different. Maybe it's because it's a new decade. Maybe it's because I've been on this self-evaluation and healing kick lately. OR . . . *insert light bulb above head here*. . . maybe it's because God has been kicking me in the pants regularly these last few weeks over the same issue.

"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil." Eph. 5:14b-16

I have been asleep. Hiding. Running from God's call on my life. I have let my self-doubt intimidate and paralyze me. And I am grieved by that. God has been clear that His call on my life is to teach and exhort His people, but the responsibility and "bigness" of that has scared me into a dark corner of isolation and insecurity. The question that has continually been a boulder in my path is, "Who do you think you are that you think you have any wisdom to share?" But, I will listen no more. How thankful I am that God's M.O. is to use weak, frail, "normal" people like me to glorify Himself. Inconceivable but true.

So. . .that is why you have a blog today. If God is calling me to write in 2010, I will do it. My commitment to you is to have a weekly blog as long as God gives them to me. And I want you to hold me accountable. If I skip a week, call me out. I have a responsibility to glorify God with the gifts and talents He's given me. Don't let me get away with holing up in my house and ignoring His call. Your rebuke is welcome. But don't get crazy.

And since my M.O. is gettin' in yo' face, let me ask. . .What about you? Where in life have you been asleep? Sitting the bench? And what's keeping you there? Whatever it is, know that God is bigger than your particular obstacle. Either He's God or He's not. Either He's big enough to equip you with whatever you need to accomplish the task, or He's not. You must decide what you truly believe. Do you believe God's truth about you or Satan's lies?

Power or paralysis...the choice is yours.

God wants you to "make the most of every opportunity" that He has given you. He is asking that you no longer listen to the negativity that swims in your head. You are a child of the Most High God and you have His Spirit living in you. You have no reason to shy away from His calling. So this year, this decade, resolve with me to go boldly wherever God beckons knowing that He will equip, empower and sustain you.

Until next week. . .


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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

FIRST OF ALL, I am SO glad you're back on the blog. I've missed you.
Second of all, was God telling YOU this or ME? I feel like I recently just told a friend about how I too have been "Running from God's call on my life. I have let my self-doubt intimidate and paralyze me. And I am grieved by that. God has been clear that His call on my life is to teach and exhort His people, but the responsibility and "bigness" of that has scared me into a dark corner of isolation and insecurity."
That's so like God...giving us similar situations...teaching us similar lessons. :)
Your blog spoke VOLUMES to me today. Thank you, Misti. And I love you! (aimeeo)

Misti said...

"similar" messages or the EXACT same message?? wow...eerie!

Kristin said...

I'm so proud of you and inspired by you! And excited to get your blog every week! Love you!

The Potts Family said...

Im so proud to call you my friend... thanks for gettin in my face.. My struggle is allowing Satan to distract me with kids, stress and work.Constantly taking my eyes off God, and his plan for me..and focusing on the here and now..

Misti said...

Thanks, girls, for supporting me. I love you so much. And Ashy...don't you know I do the same thing? I constantly find myself WORRYING about the here and now instead of focusing on truth and eternity. I wonder when I will ever get it!

Nicole Treese said...

I loved reading this! Either He's God or He's not. I'm so ready for this new year and growing closer to Him. Looking forward to reading more of your blog!

Misti said...

Me too, Nicole. Thanks so much for reading!

Anonymous said...

Have I ever told you how privileged I am to be your friend? I think that every day when I get my kid dressed in all of Coopers clothes! Seriously I am gonna get crazy! I stinkin love you! Ok so this very week I am thinking the very same thing. Here is the verse that he gave me concerning the very same thing - "In Him lie hidden all the mighty, untapped treasures of wisdom and knowlege....And now just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him too for each days problems, live in vital union with Him. Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him. See that you go on growing in the Lord and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done....For in Christ there is all of God in a human body; so you have EVERYTHING when you have Christ, and you are filled with God through your union with Christ. He is the highest ruler, with authority over every other power! WOW For me I have just been feeling like what am I suppose to do blah blah blah.......so I came up with this idea and that idea only to come back to my life experiences and really feeling like they have a purpose in my future.......I am talking to much and don't analyze my grammar but I had to take two seconds to get this out and tell you I love you and THANK YOU for being transparent in a very mirky world! I cherish you my dear friend!

Anonymous said...

Misti that was me (Johnna) just in case you didn't know : )

Misti said...

Johnna...you truly are one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world. Thank you for sharing all of that! LOVE it...what verses are those? I miss you so much and cannot wait until we get to actually be in the same room together again. I love you and am so excited to share this journey with Christ with you, sister.