Wednesday, July 16, 2008

It's Not What People Call You That Matters....

Ok, God has laid it on my heart to share this with you all. So here I go.:)

A few weeks ago, a good friend and man of God shared a communion meditation at Church that really spoke to me. I know that God had him speak this just so I could hear it, although I suspect strongly that many others needed to hear these words themselves and I hope that they heard them...not just heard them, but breathed them in, and really listed. Let them sink into their hearts. Because all of you were not at my church that Sunday, (which I wish you had been....you would have loved it!!!!) let me share with you roughly what was said and what God has shown me since then.

The heart of his message was "It is not what they call you that matters, it is what you answer to". I pondered this, and felt my heart quicken as God spoke to me and said "YES! This is what you need to hear! This man is being obedient to me and speaking what I inspired and stirred in his heart to say. Now listen to my servant speak!" Humbled, I listened...and what I heard is this.

Many people call us many names, and we answer to them all. Some are good, such as Mother, wife, friend, sister, teacher, confidant, etc. Unfortunately, there are all too often other names that we are called.....unlovable, fat, ugly, stupid, no good, unworthy, "just like your father", dumb, unable, a failure, a waste, dirty, inept, a sinner, hell bound, a thief, liar, adulterer, a whore, a druggie, good for nothing....the list goes on and on.

As a child, some of the people nearest to me were called these names, and although I do not remember many of those actual words coming from anyone's mouth directly to me (well, ok some of them, I admit it) the enemy told me those things every day, and some of it I heard and absorbed every moment. I never believed I was good enough, smart enough, thin enough, pretty enough, righteous enough, religeous enough, walking straight enough, becoming enough or that I would ever amount to anything because of all of the bad things I had done in my past.

This past fall I had the awesome opportunity to attend a Tres Dias weekend. I was released from all of my fears and failures and self doubt and shame by my God. However, I still heard the words daily in the back of my mind. It was a constant battle to keep my head up and look people in the eye and say "I am worthy of God's love" but I forged on.

The communion meditation that I am speaking of spoke directly to me and pierced my heart like a sharp arrow....melting all of the self doubt and letting the self loathing pour out.....it spoke to me so much that the thoughts are painted on my wall in my scrapbook room. Now I share them with you.....

It is not what people call you that matters,
It is what you answer to.
I am REDEEMED......FREE......
....BLESSED......LOVED....SAVED BY GRACE....
I AM A CHILD OF THE ONE TRUE GOD.
I refuse to answer to anything else.
No longer will worldly labels hold me down.

I pray that each of you will hear that and receive it for yourself. Freedom is available...you just have to ask for it and BELIEVE. God's word tell us in 2 Corinthians 5:17:

17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.


We are NEW CREATURES my brothers and sisters. The labels we answer to should reflect that!!!! Be careful what you answer to!!!!!

4 comments:

RobTon said...

So, I am just flipping around checking some of the blog sites that I enjoy looking at....stealing ideas from (scrapping) and I come across yours....I am sitting here with tears in my eyes because your message really punched me in the heart and those same feelings are the feelings that I have had for so long! Thank you for your posting today~I believe I needed it, especially today, I believe that your posting was from GOD to my ears........Tonia

Cecile said...

OMG.
Did you live my life?????
Very uplifting :)
Hugs...Cecile

Anonymous said...

Dude, maybe you should go into the preachin' biz...you chose your words perfectly for this beautiful message. ;)

Debbie said...

Sis, no one could have put this more beautifully. I know you are special, loved and wonderful, but I am so glad you are finally seeing this with an open heart and mind. You are truly a blessing to our family, loved by many and adored by your daughter and husband. I hope you realize now just how awesome you are!!!!

I love you!