Press on to lay hold

of God's upward call for you

for which Christ seized you.

-Philippians 3:12-14

God lifted a weight from me today. I felt pressure to be profound. I come home exhausted from the day, sit in front of my laptop, and try to figure out how to inspire an emotion in someone else that I'm not currently feeling. That doesn't work.

Today God used a song to remind me, "Della, you didn't inspire yourself. You can't inspire others. Share what inspires you. I'm the One stirring your blood when a song moves you or a Scripture lights us inside you. I'll stir others too."

Ahhh, weight removed.

Not long after that I started sharing one of my favorite scriptures with a couple of young ladies. Some scriptures you read over and over and then one day – a light comes on. Philippians 3:12 says:
King James English makes everything sound very polite. This verse is full of force. "I follow after..." means I pursue or press on fervently. The same Greek word is translated “persecute” in other parts of Scripture. Paul isn't talking about a casual following. He's talking about hot pursuit -like a hunter or a detective, determined to find what I'm after.

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (KJV)

When a police detective finally apprehends the person they're after, they don't say, "We're not really that interested in you, but it's our job so I guess you better come with us if you don't have anything else to do." No way. When they apprehend their person, they do it with purpose! “You are coming with us - RIGHT NOW!"

That's how forcefully Christ grabbed you! You're not a Christian by accident. You didn't choose Him, He chose you. He sees things in you that you haven't seen in yourself. He seized you and said, "You are coming with me - RIGHT NOW! I have things for you to do. There are people who don't know Me and no one else can reach them like you can. YOU ARE THE ONE I WANT!"

Jesus is passionate about you. He needs you to be the most amazing you at the hospital, at the school, at the market, at the gas station. You don't realize how uniquely gifted you are, but He does. Don't trivialize your gift by saying, "Oh, that little thing? Everyone can do that." That's not humility, that's blindness. God made you to change your world. It doesn't matter how small or how large that world seems to you. He's the one who does the heavy lifting. You just have to love people and let the Holy Spirit work.

Embrace your uniqueness and fire up! Jesus seized you for a reason. Find that reason. Press on to seize that purpose for which you have been seized! John 15:16

Wisdom from James

This morning God used the book of James (from the Message) to encourage me. I share to help others who may have become discouraged or tired in the race.

My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

Yes, Della, there is purpose in your writing. The world is filled with books and blogs and articles about all sorts of things. God's purpose in your writing is to reach people who need to hear His truth through your voice. Keep at it.

This applies to all of us. We are unique creatures that are vital to the body. Whatever gift you have, use it for God. Sing! Work! Give! You do have gifts. It doesn't matter if you're the best or the first. It matters that you are obedient.

More encouragement:

Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The judge is standing just around the corner.

Sometimes people grate on us. It's easy to start identifying their problem (in detail!) But that is not God's way. Don't complain or criticize those who irritate. Pray for them. This will keep your flesh in check and your spirit running the show.

Don't bad mouth each other, friends. It's God's word, His Message, His Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it.

Bitter doctrinal squabbles about minor issues give God's children a bad name (and give God a black eye with non-Christians). Keep the faith orthodox, and have grace for each other on secondary issues. Internal arguments drive away the lost - and THEY are our mission. Some questions we should be able to answer when asked:

Who is Jesus? - THE major issue.
Why did He come?
Can I know God?
What is the Bible?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
How & why should I pray?

It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do just that.

Practice NOT saying the first thing that comes to mind - especially in heated or tense situations. Submit your words to God for approval before you allow them to fly off your tongue.

(Thanks, God! I needed that!)