"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." ~Judy Garland
After a moments return to my old, default thinking, I began to rejoice for my sister authentically, wholeheartedly and happily. It was a huge step for me.
A second of "I'll never be that good" turned into "I love seeing her stand in the fulness of her calling even as I'm starting to stand in the fulness of my own different calling."
It's so good to be back with you after a break for She Speaks! As I listened to Lysa TerKeurst's message in our opening, I was convicted, challenged and inspired. I really can only describe the message as dazzling. Lysa has pursued God's highest for her calling, and the fruits are abundant in her ministry.
For so long (way toooo long!) I stood outside of my calling to speak, cowed by comparison and intimidated by my own fears. In fact, I wrote about how that attitude invaded my whole life in this devotion. Last night I asked Barry, "How do you think I'm doing with the whole confidence thing?"
His reply made me smile. He said, "I see you as a jet roaring down the runway. Two years ago, you weren't even in the airport."
I don't tell you all this to toot my own horn. I just feel inspired to write about calling on Mondays for the next little while. I've learned some lessons the really hard way through too much failure and too much fear. I have to confess that I understand that if I had followed God more closely that I wouldn't have taken such a self-destructive route. I'd love for you to be able to learn from my school of hard knocks.
You have a calling. Have you stepped into it, or are you still standing outside of it looking in with longing?
I want to share some of my story that brought me to this place where I could applaud Lysa with unreserved joy--no jealousy of her calling or feeling less than in my own.
I want to encourage you in your unique calling and cheer you on as you celebrate walking in or stepping into it.
Where do you feel like you are right now? Are you walking in your calling or working to step into it?
So here's the plan for the blog for a while (no promises--you must know by now that I'm have attention deficit when it comes to writing): Mondays--quotes and callings, Wednesdays--comments on current events, Fridays--Jesus (what I'm learning about Him, seeing fresh about him, etc)
Monday, August 1, 2011
Stepping In
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13 comments:
Your call has spoken so strongly into MY ministry. I am grateful that you are following His call on your life- where would I be if you hadn't? Not where I am, that's for sure.
xoxoxo
I'm working to step into it - and I'm not even certain what "it" is, I only know that He is calling me into women's ministry and that my strengths are exhortation and shepherding. One of the things He has continually brought to me to time and again is "you have to go here first before you can get there". For many months He has been busy at work in me, healing wounds that have festered for years (some of them almost as old as I am) and I think that what He is leading me to is directly related to these things. I know it isn't a coincidence that I happened by here today, so I'm interested to read your further thoughts in these areas.
Amy, it was such a blessing to be in your speaker group this year. I have learned a lot from reading your posts up until She Speaks about the fear that help you back. I can relate to that very, very well! So many times I let fear hold me back and I don't want to do that any longer. My husband was very upfront with me when I came back from She Speaks and I was working through something that came across as negative. He told me that I am not ready if I let other people make me question what I know God has said. He said he knows I can do this and believes in me 100% but I can not let my fears and others keep me from pursuing what God wants to do in my life. Thank you again Amy for everything that weekend. I told my church women's ministry leader about your topics on building connections between women in churches and we may be contacting P31 in the future to see about you coming to speak on that. We are basically going to have to rebuild our women's ministry from the ground up and connect the older ladies to the younger generations that are in our church now.
Blessings Amy, I look forward to your Monday posts!
Brandee
When I came home from She Speaks and shared with my husband what my evaluator said about my talks and me as a communicator he said, "You know, if I went and saw a client and they said those things to me I would be thrilled." He really helped me see that I'm afraid? reluctant? to own my calling. I don't know what it's supposed to look like totally, but I think that's part of it. Stepping forward one obedient step at a time, but I've GOT to take those steps or I'm throwing away my giftings!
Your words are a huge encouragement! I'm feeling like I'm at a place totally dependent on Him, not sure what the next step is and not totally sure what my calling is. But I'm trusting Him - it is a good place to be.
Oh...i love your husband's comments. I will send you a pic later that will make you smile. Turtle can fly...B
Hey Amy!
I loved talking with you at your table at She Speaks. I was on the speaker track, but still do not know for sure what God wants me to do with all of the great stuff I learned. I teach Bible Study and coordinate it for our church, and I love to teach. But being a "speaker"? My husband thinks I can, but I cannot imagine anyone paying to hear me talk. I will say that She Speaks was more valuable than any conference I have ever attended, in so many ways. I am going to keep reading your blog.
I am in the preparation & teaching phase of my calling. I struggle at times to go at God's pace. But, I know He has Great plans for me. I see what God is doing in the life of someone else & want that. But, God has a specific plan for my life & I need to embrace it. Looking forward to your series.
Mary
I am stepping into my calling but so ready to learn and run with it ;) Of course with God leading the way :)
-Colleen G.
Amy, you truly have the spiritual gift of HELPS. read all of these comments. YOU have helped people see their calling or help them actually step into that calling! You also have the gift of exhortation...speaking the truth in love and challenging others to trust God and encouraging them along the way. God is multiplying your ministry...get ready...that airplane that your hubby talked about is fully loaded with passengers and needs an awesome co-pilot like you! And we all know who THE PILOT is. Rest in His gift of purpose for you!
I honestly feel like I have a calling (not sure what) but that I have run from it in fear. Fear of how my family will make it financially, fear of what people will think, fear of failure, fear that I'm prepared enough, etc. But right now, I feel like God has placed me in the belly of the whale and I'm about to be spit up somewhere! I need to step into His calling.
Hi Amy, Thank you for being willing to step out and assist those of us that are in God's waiting room. I attended She Speaks in 2005 after Lysa came to our church to speak. I was the Women's Ministry director for 8 years but just recently stepped down and feel the Lord pushing me to share with other woman. The Lord is doing a work and I am glued to His Word and LISTENING.
Can relate a little too well to the comparison, woe is me, I'm not very good thing. Lies from the pit, powerful though. Loved what your husband said. What an encouragement. You go!
And I love your ideas for your blog. What a great way to know ahead of time what to do?!? And I also appreciate your brevity and clarity in your blogs. I'm inspired!
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