Casting Call

Life is a PLAYWRIGHT- there is a SCRIPT.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

God is the DIRECTOR.
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

Job 14:5 You decide how long anyone will live. You have established the number of his months. You have set a limit to the number of his days.

We are the CAST.
Isaiah 64:8 ... We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.
John 15:16 You did not choose me. Instead, I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit.

We have the CHOICE whether to accept the Part
Joshua 24:15 Then choose for yourselves right now whom you will serve....as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

 We are NOT meant to be EXTRAS.
Revelations 3:15 I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. ...
Colossians 3:12 You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient.
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.


We were CHOSEN for a BIGGER ROLE - Leading or Supporting
 Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Romans 8:37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.


THE QUESTION IS....

...WILL YOU CHOOSE YOUR GOD-GIVEN ROLE

 

... OR JUST BE AN EXTRA?

 

Ephesians 4:1 I (Paul), therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,

Matthew 22:14For many are called (invited and summoned), but few are chosen.

This verse stresses the importance of our focus. Not to be on the field (the world), but on the workers for the field. We need to be praying, listening, accepting our role, and encouraging the workers. God's already working in the people, he's just waiting for the workers to till the field.- Pastor Earnest

 

 

Audience of One

Hello- my name is Christie and I suffer from people pleasing.

The kind that seeks "unspoken" approval and validation from the world... Or more specifically... the people in it. Let's face it, I want everyone to think I'm good at things and recognize my good qualities. However... I just want them to THINK IT... NOT SPEAK IT. It honestly is really hard for me to take a compliment. When given, I shrug, feel uncomfortable, look at the ground and force a "Thankyou" out of my mouth.

I know, It seems like an oxymoron. In one way I appear humble, but on the other, secretly prideful and arrogant. As I was describing this to a friend, she identified it as false humility.  Yep... as much as I don't want to admit, that hit the nail on the head. Not only is it false humility, but it's a form of Idolatry.

"Idolatry of what?" you might ask. 

"SELF!!!"  Worship of Myself. I want to get the glory that is meant for God. Wow - that was hard to write "out loud."

I wasn't aware of this deception and massive hold it had over me until fairly recently. Satan - You are sneaky. Get the away from me!!!!! Matthew 16:23


Thank you Lord for revealing my sin to me when I am ready to hear it. And thank you for convicting my heart and not condemning me (Romans 8:1)! There is a huge difference!

Our 2nd BATTLES class finished up this past June. And like a good leader, I asked for feedback on how to improve the class...and boy did I receive!

Never fails, there is always that one review that I take personally. I'm sure it was meant to be helpful, but Satan uses this weakness of mine (see above) to try and bring me down. The awesome thing is...in the end... no matter what ... God brings ALL things together for good. Romans 8:28

LET ME EXPLAIN: As I began reading this review critiquing me and my public speaking skills, I felt that pain in my chest rising up, the expression of anguish forming on my face, and the water trying to escape my eyes... the Non medical term of this being "hurt feelings". Thankfully, I recognized what Satan was trying to do in that moment.

So I prayed, "Lord, please let me ACCEPT what is written on this form. I CHOOSE to believe it is meant for good - and the person who wrote it means no harm." Romans 8:28

As I finished praying, God placed a phrase in my heart - "AUDIENCE OF ONE." 

I began speaking this truth... "I serve an audience of one. Lord - it is you I choose to serve and not others." I kept speaking it... and soon my fickle feelings came under control.

So, I continued reading class evals and came to a real positive one. I smiled, set it aside and thought to myself..."Oh good. I'm gonna keep this one out and read it whenever I'm feeling down." And that jolt of pride started surfacing and I stopped.... and heard the same phrase in my head..."NO Christie... You serve an AUDIENCE OF ONE."

God convicted me of how much I depend on people's acceptance AND then he showed me how to find freedom from it.

THIS IS WHAT I LEARNED