Sunday's Message: "Be A Leader"
Today was just one of those days. One of the times I was so excited to get up and get ready for church.
It's funny because I will be the first to admit, I haven't been to church in months. I haven't felt like I was home at a church in years. My parents don't know that. I mean my mom kind of gets it but I don't talk to her about it. My grandparents don't know that. It's not that I'm afraid to tell them but I just don't want anyone else's two cents. Here's the story of how I truly found a place I could call home at a church that I'd never even heard of.
I was supposed to go out with my friends, Mariah and Kelly, on Friday night but they canceled. I sat there in my room playing around the computer until Mariah texted me and asked if I wanted to go to church with them on Sunday. See, I easily could have said "maybe another time" but I jumped at the chance. I just had a really good feeling about it. This moment would be a pivotal moment in my life or that things would come full circle.
Skip ahead to Sunday, me getting ready for church while I talk to one of my best friends on the phone, and then hopping in the car with the girls. I didn't know what to expect. I mean they started off singing and that was great. I didn't know any of the words but thankfully the lyrics were up on a projection screen. When I say they, I mean the church band and the whole congregation. The only lines that kind of hit me were "the enemy is under your feet, we are free, we are free." For the first time in my life, I realized that I was free. Free from the fears that liked to trap me in the middle of the night and cry myself to sleep. I had been free of those fears since the summer started. Maybe that's where this new drive came from. This new passion to do everything I've ever wanted and ignored the naysayers. Now here's the incredible part, the message. God has understood what I've needed to hear lately. To reassure me of things or just make me feel something. Today the pastor talked about "biblical parenting." First of all, I'm not a parent but this message actually spoke directly to me, and here's how.
The basic idea is that we need to "train the heart." There are four main points or aspects of biblical parenting.
Wisdom. This is teaching children to have a healthy respect for God, to get God's word back in their lives, and guard their minds.
Stature. This spoke to me the most. It's all about being a leader, making sure people remember they have a purpose, and choosing the people they surround themselves with carefully. We need to help children discover their purpose, no matter the age. I can't tell you how many tweets I've seen saying "I don't have a purpose," "I don't know my purpose," "I don't matter," "I am worthless," etc. This applies to every single person out there, believers and nonbelievers, straight, gay, bi, transgender, adult, teen, kid, you name it. We need to stop turning our backs on these people. We need to have heart-to-heart conversations with them and get to know their stories. "Help them discover that purpose" based on what they told you. I could honestly tell at least ten girls' lives that have changed just because I took the time and listened. I see potential in everyone I meet.
Favor with Man. How children relate to people. That we should teach them honesty, honor, and respect. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit..." There are way too many people out there that are full of themselves. There is a difference in confidence and vanity. A difference between being passive, or naive, and modest. We have to teach them the fine lines. "God doesn't want perfection, he wants the truth."
Favor with God. The biggest thing that hit home for me during this part is "be like Jesus in every situation." We should stand by each other and forgive when we are holding against someone. This has taking me years to grasp and it's not always easy to do but you free yourself when you do it. Being so angry with someone to the point where you are practically hating them never solves anything. It wastes time and energy that you could be using. Find it in your heart to forgive those who have wronged you. This does not always mean taking them back into your life and letting them hurt you again. This means moving on. It'll make you a stronger person, trust me. The little thing you should remember and even Pastor Chris said this, "I forgive because I need forgiveness so badly myself." You are no saint. You are a sinner just like the rest of us. We all sin in different ways. Don't be so quick to judge. Just learn to forgive and ask for forgiveness when you need it.
So again with an open heart, I open my arms to you. Tell me your story or head on over to talk to Taylor. You can even leave a comment below if this post spoke to you and you want to share something. We are here to help you, to get to know you. Never hesitate to talk to us.