Have you felt exhausted or like giving up? Are you working nonstop and you feel like you're about to fall apart? Are you so busy that you feel like you can't even breathe? Have you been in ministry for so long that perhaps you've forgotten why you're even in it? What about being a believer in God? Are you at a point in your walk where you are questioning why you even believe what you say you believe? Well I'm here to encourage you to keep on keeping on. Don't stop and don't give up.
Tonight while I was finishing up my bath I went to put the candles out, but instead of blowing them out I decided to drizzle some water on them. To my surprise the one candle did not initially go out when I put water on it, instead it crackled and fought back against the very agent that should have put it out. I tried again and once again, the flame fought back and crackled so loudly that I was startled. I had two other candles lit so I went to put them out and on the first try they both went out. It was then that I realized something amazing about the first candle. This candle had been burning longer than the other candles, I've had it for longer and used it for longer. Its flame was much larger than the other two candles and it shown brighter than the other two combined. This candle exemplified what it means to burn brighter as time goes on and to not let anyone put your light out! It reminds me of that song "this little light of mine" which says "this little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine" The song goes on to proclaim that we won't let anything put out our light.
When you're facing hard times, opposition, frustration, exhaustion remember this little candle who has been burning longer than the other candles but fights harder against any agent that wants to put it out, makes a noise so scary that it frightens others, and is used until it can't be used anymore. We all have a purpose on this Earth and its to shine our lights so that others may see the glory of God. However, when we fail to fight back and to keep on shining we lose our purpose and the world becomes a darker place. We complain about how the world is becoming more and more evil, people are committing more diabolical crimes, morality is declining. Have we ever stopped to think that it could be because we've grown so tired of shining? I understand that you are tired and that life has gotten you down, but I promise that if you keep shining and keep going you will see the glory at the end of this life.
Be encouraged!
Be a light!
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Remembering your purpose
It has been quite some time since I've written anything and recently I've realized how much I miss it. I have gotten so wrapped up in school, ministry, career, and friends that I forgot what I love and why I love writing. As this is my first post on this blog I really hope that you enjoy it and receive some sort of enjoyment or encouragement as you read it. My purpose is simply to encourage, empower, and enlighten people.
Have you every had a day that was so mentally and emotionally exhausting that you felt defeated? Today was one of those days. I work in an environment in which we are encouraged to give great customer service but at the end of the day the boss wants a certain quota to be met. I was emailed about how I'm not meeting that quota which initially really upset me and I found myself getting more and more upset throughout the day. I take pride in giving great customer service, in truly taking care of the guest, going above and beyond what is expected, and having a fantastic relationship with other coworkers. I want to please my boss and work to a standard that is expected, but I also cannot substitute quantity over quality.
As I was driving home I simply cried out to God and asked Him to help me remember why I was there. I needed Him to remind me of why He placed me in this work environment and showed me favor for the past year. It was then, in that very moment of distress that I remembered how much I love people and how I, as a Christian, am called to work as if working for the Lord. I don't always have to like or agree with what He expects of me, but it doesn't mean that I don't do it. The same goes for my boss. Whether I like or agree with what they expect of me, I am called to do it and do it with a grateful heart. Rather than vent and complain about how awful and lame the system is, I should be grateful and thankful that I 1) have a job, 2) have a job that gives me benefits, 3) work for a company that rewards me often, 4) work in a department that I truly love my coworkers, and 5) work for several people who share the same faith as me.
See... as Christians we are called to be witnesses and to bring God in to all places. Sometimes we forget that a big part of that is humbling yourself and remaining grateful in all situation. People look to us as examples of how to behave. They won't always admit that, but its true. If the "christian" can behave that way then it must be okay.
Today I encourage you to refocus and recenter yourself. Remind yourself of your true purpose in life. It's not to earn a paycheck, but to bring God's glory into your workplace. I'm praying for all of you. Have a great week and be encouraged that this life is temporary!
Have you every had a day that was so mentally and emotionally exhausting that you felt defeated? Today was one of those days. I work in an environment in which we are encouraged to give great customer service but at the end of the day the boss wants a certain quota to be met. I was emailed about how I'm not meeting that quota which initially really upset me and I found myself getting more and more upset throughout the day. I take pride in giving great customer service, in truly taking care of the guest, going above and beyond what is expected, and having a fantastic relationship with other coworkers. I want to please my boss and work to a standard that is expected, but I also cannot substitute quantity over quality.
As I was driving home I simply cried out to God and asked Him to help me remember why I was there. I needed Him to remind me of why He placed me in this work environment and showed me favor for the past year. It was then, in that very moment of distress that I remembered how much I love people and how I, as a Christian, am called to work as if working for the Lord. I don't always have to like or agree with what He expects of me, but it doesn't mean that I don't do it. The same goes for my boss. Whether I like or agree with what they expect of me, I am called to do it and do it with a grateful heart. Rather than vent and complain about how awful and lame the system is, I should be grateful and thankful that I 1) have a job, 2) have a job that gives me benefits, 3) work for a company that rewards me often, 4) work in a department that I truly love my coworkers, and 5) work for several people who share the same faith as me.
See... as Christians we are called to be witnesses and to bring God in to all places. Sometimes we forget that a big part of that is humbling yourself and remaining grateful in all situation. People look to us as examples of how to behave. They won't always admit that, but its true. If the "christian" can behave that way then it must be okay.
Today I encourage you to refocus and recenter yourself. Remind yourself of your true purpose in life. It's not to earn a paycheck, but to bring God's glory into your workplace. I'm praying for all of you. Have a great week and be encouraged that this life is temporary!
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