A SPARK

Have you ever been in a service and the speaker said something you had just studied, God had just showed you or that gave you permission to do something you know God has been prompting you to do? Well, that is what today was like for me. There was a creative element done in worship that sparked something in me. I sat through the entire next session in tears. I can't explain it other than I felt the overwhelming presence of God inside my belly. Not because of what anyone was saying or even what was going on in the service but because of what God was doing in me. I suddenly had a greater understanding of who had called The Rock Church to be and more importantly, who God made me to be. It was a divine moment I won't forget. God kept saying, over and over, "This is who you are. This is who I made you to be." And was showing me moments I'd had, dreams I'd dreamt, prayers I'd prayed, experiences I'd lived and the future that is secure.

I am realizing with each day of my life, I am a fool to doubt God or let anything but faith roll off my lips. (Just because I realize it doesn't make it easy!) Because I can be my own bottleneck, I have to daily keep my thoughts "in check" and surround myself with faith-filled people. I heard Will Smith talk about why he runs. He said he runs because when the little voice inside him tells him to stop, he can keep going. If he can overcome that voice in exercise, he can do it in any situation. One of the reasons I run and workout is similar. I also fast to overcome that voice (I like to call it the flesh). Overcoming that voice, leaves me able to clearly hear God and run my own race.

We see things every day that scream who and what we don't want to be. We also see pieces of life we want. It takes a secure person to see someone doing what you want to do and not feel threatened or defeated before you even start. When I say defeated, I mean letting thoughts like, "I don't have the skill or upbringing that person has so how can I do what they are doing?" or "How will I ever even start?" Kind of like the voice in my head when I run. "Stop! You'll never make it!" Or was that Gilligan?

What's the bottom line? You and I are in a divine moment. I believe God is ready to extend the tent stakes of The Rock Church; therefore, He is ready to extend the tent stakes of your home and your life. Get excited! Don't allow fear or doubt to creep in and steal it. Pastor says ministry will be messy this year. Embrace it! I am a neat freak. I am choosing to embrace the mess!