Last night, I had an opportunity to speak to a young Catholic. We had discussed how we both differ so vastly in how we serve God. He is more the hands on type. Needs to run around and do things to help out / do chores for church etc. I on the other hand, like to spend time developing my relationship with God with prayer. He felt that if he did what I was doing, he thinks it's pointless as it wouldn't benefit others. I begged to differ and explained that it was very important to me that I first strengthen my own prayer life and develop a close relationship with God because with His empowerment, I'd be able to reach out to others I meet. I can speak fearlessly and share God's goodness and awesomeness with people. The young person nodded his head as if he understood me but I think he's perhaps too young to understand it. This young man's way is no less than mine and mine is no less than his. We serve God in different ways.
Is developing a prayer life of any use to anyone else but yourself?
How can my developing a closer walk with God help others then? Last night, as hubby and I was taking a midnight walk, he told me about how a Protestant man and a very young boy had come knocking on our door to share the Word of God with him. They were persistent even though Mike told them we were already Christians. They wanted us to join in their church activities even though Mike had told them we had our own church activities. Anyway, Mike didn't let them enter our house. I wasn't home at the time these two males had approached Mike. Mike wanted to know if I would have entertained them. I said, "YES! If they want to share their stories about Christ, I will tell them to come in cos I want to share with them how AWESOME Jesus is too!". This is such a different ME. Before LISS, I would have been really pissed that these Protestants were trying to convert Catholics again! Now, I'm thinking, I can share with you
Why it works for me
Ok, what I meant to demonstrate is, being empowered by the strength of God, by the teachings of Jesus, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit is all it takes to change me completely. I fear not now when I speak of Christ because I have experienced His goodness personally. I speak with a conviction from the bottom of my heart. But I don't ever take this conviction for granted. I can lose it in a day. Something really bad happens and I get turned off by God. I stay away from Him, from His word, from church. I stop praying. I stop listening. I stop sharing. That's how I think would be the end of me. So instead, I pray all the time for Him to hold on to me. To never let me go even when I fall and I sin. To stay close to me. To empower me with obedience to Him and to instill fearlessness in me so I can do His will.
Mission Statement at age 44
Also, a closer prayer life with God has allowed me realise something I didn't know I wanted to do.
Here's my mission statement at the grand old age of 44:
"To develop my walk with God so that His empowerment in me can strengthen me spritually to allow Him to work through me to benefit others."
Have I lost my marbles? Only God knows. Ha ha. Have a GREAT DAY and bask in the JOY that the LORD brings!
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