“My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…,” the old hymn goes. And I’ve been thinking about that lately. No matter how distracted I get and how I think, “I got this,” I always come back to the one who really does “got this.” As I remind you where to put and keep your focus, I have already reminded myself: its-time-to-take-time
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa8UVrlsUsI&hl=en&fs=1]
Tell me what you think.
Yesterday I had the privilege of being guest speaker for the Women’s Consecration Service at Ebenezer AME Church in Detroit. This was a kick-off event to get the women focused for Ebenezer’s women’s month in May. The Lord led me to discuss their theme—“Pursuing His Presence”—in light of the need to be consecrated; you can only remain in the Lord’s presence if you live a consecrated life–a life set apart from worldly pursuits for the service of God.
As God spoke to me what to say to the women, He was speaking to me about areas of my life that could quite possibly disqualify me from claiming to live a consecrated life. In the forefront of my mind were trying to figure out how to attend professional school, having a movie marathon, and avoiding, instead of trying to love, that pretentious sister in the Lord who just keeps irking me. There is nothing wrong with going to school or having a movie marathon, but when God hasn’t given me the okay to do these things I love, I am following worldly (or fleshly) pursuits and have not set myself apart for God’s service.
What about you? Are you having a hard time giving up some things you like but you know are keeping you from being consecrated? If you have found a way to always seek to set yourself apart for God’s service, tell us how you do it. This recovering strong black woman looks forward to hearing from you.
Some months ago my friend Renee was telling me that I must watch “La Vie en Rose,” the tragic biopic of French chanteuse Edith Piaf. She went on describe that this heartwrenching tale would grip my soul and make me want to pity and rescue Edith from the brothel, street and circus (literally and figuratively) life she lived throughout her life. I watched the movie this morning. Shuffled from parent to parent and place to place for convenience sake, I found myself crying for Edith, for the millions of abandoned and unwanted children worldwide and even for my own. I say my own because in my own way of not wanting to be inconvenienced (I planned to do this, but the baby demands my attention, and I resent him this moment), I communicate I don’t want him. I don’t want him to bother me right now; I don’t want him to change my plans; I don’t want him to mess up my day; I don’t want him to keep me from my goals; I don’t like that he changed my life.
My sister told me that there were some mothers on Oprah last week who felt a similar way. She said some of them ignored the cries, drank themselves numb and coped in some other ways. I didn’t see it or hear how the show ended, but I know how it ends for me. As a recovering strong black woman, God quickly showed me what my “small” thoughts of my children being an inconvenience can lead to; in my quiet time He led me to watch “La Vie en Rose,” and I know what He wanted me to see: the negative effect of neglect on a child’s life, no matter how small or lengthy, how quiet or loud. He wanted me to understand that the impact could be tragic, and I don’t want to be blamed for that.
Of course I have long understood the negative impact of neglect, but I’m not always aware of how my passing thoughts of discontent land, connect, and create a massive rumbling in my mind that occasionally displays as a cold stare, harsh words or huge huffs and sighs. I cannot love my children and care for them myself; I need the Lord. I have to remember that children are a heritage from the Lord and a reward from Him (Psalm 127:3). Through Him I can love and care for them selflessly and not tragically. I must remember His sacrifice of Jesus Christ and make that sacrifice my own. Lay down my life to perfect the lives of others, my children. God has given me the power through His Holy Spirit. I will tap into that power be the armor bearer God has called me to be. Listen to exactly what I mean.
Copyright by Rhonda J. Smith 2009
Someone once said something like this: “If your mama says she loves you, check it out.”
your mama
The Alice Walker quotation was provocative to me because at first reading it seemed anti-biblical. I agree that animals exist for reasons apart from for humans; they help to balance the world’s ecosystem, but it’s arguable whether or not animals were created for humans. After God created animals he placed humans (Adam and Eve) in charge of them (Genesis 1:28). Walker was right about black people not being created for white people. God created us all in His image for His good pleasure not for one race to demand pleasure from another (Revelation 4:11).
Finally, Walker was right in one sense about women not being created for men. All women weren’t created for all men; in other words, women weren’t created so men could dominate them, but women were created for men to have as wives. So the woman who becomes a wife was created for the man who becomes her husband, and vice versa (see 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 and 11:11-12). Man was created first but men cannot continue to be created without a woman. There is definite interdependence with a man and woman, the husband and wife. So you can see I didn’t totally disagreed with Walker, but I just wanted to get you to think without inserting my opinion. Thanks to the many of you who read the previous post and the brave one who responded. I always want to hear from you so tell me what you think of this post or any other one. Can’t wait to hear from you.