Staircases

I was walking through a quaint village on a warm beautiful day.  I eventually came upon the town center and noticed there were several ornate staircases that seem to lead to nowhere.  They were beautifully carved and looked like grand staircases out of mansions.  They looked so inviting, and being curious to where they led, I picked one and started up.  After a while I noticed the stair had changed.  What was once wood and carpet it was now grey metal.  The steps seemed out of proportion and farther apart. What used to be solid, you could now see between each step and the railing was just a metal bar.  It was terrifying because I could see how high up I was and felt very insecure as I struggled to get up each step.  I kept going however and soon reached a point where I saw a black metal and pipe platform.  Standing on the platform were 4-6 people laughing, pointing, and enjoying the view.  I started to go up not realizing at first that I was now climbing a ladder with nothing between me and empty space.  Too scared to go any further, I went back down the ladder, down the metal stairs, unto the carpeted wood, and on to solid ground. 

Frustrated with myself, I decided to try another staircase.  The same thing happened except I didn’t even get on the ladder.  I looked up at the platform and the brave people enjoying themselves and I thought to myself, “The risk is not worth it.  I am going back down.”

When I got back to the ground, I looked around and noticed there were more staircases and words above each one.  The words represented things that described purpose, importance, and meaningful pursuits.  As I looked at each one I decided that if I was going to climb one of those staircases to the platform at the very top, I wanted it to be worth fighting the fear of the struggle and risk of life.  With determination in my steps, I chose one and started climbing.

Obviously, this is not a true story, but a dream I had.  When I woke up, I couldn’t get it out of my head.  When that happens, it’s time to have a conversation with God, because this doesn’t happen very often and He is probably trying to tell me something.

What stood out most to me was that every time I got to the top, fear kept me from getting to my goal.  I would persevere through the struggle, fight my anxieties, and then get to the last level only to have fear beat me down to the ground again.  I believe God was telling me that there have been times when He has given me opportunities that would bring me joy and fulfillment in Him, only to give in to fear and miss out.  I don’t know if I made it to the very top of the last staircase or not because I woke up.

That dream made me wonder how many times I have missed out on something divinely glorious because of fear.  2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,” and Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

To not fear is a command from God. Not a suggestion or a nice idea, but a command.  He knows we can do it because He has given us all we need to obey. “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

I hope that if I had been able to see to the end of my dream that I made it up to the top looking out and experiencing the wonderful view that God intended for me.  I imagine glorious vistas, the feeling of accomplishment, closeness to my Father, and fulfilled purpose as I stand with the few who managed to conquer their fears with me.

How about you?  Do you, like me, sometimes let fear determine whether or not to pursue something you believe God wants you to pursue?

From now on, when I come across a “staircase” of possibility and am afraid to go up I will put my trust in God. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and will not afraid. (Psalm 56:3-4) Why don’t you come with me?  I’ve heard the view is glorious!

Fearlessly climbing staircases of glorious destiny with you,

Lisa

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13

Miss "Maybelline" and "Meh"

I have a lot of musical tours under my belt and have met and toured with some great people.  I will never forget my first touring group.  I was in high school and since school was in session we only performed on the weekends.  Many times, we would have more than one performance and ended up staying overnight in host homes where we would get paired up with another in our group.  Now, I need to explain something before we go any further. At that time, I didn’t have the highest regard for my looks.  Like when our teenagers describe something that is uninspiring or unexceptional as “meh”?  I was “meh” regarding my looks.  I mean, I knew God didn’t make mistakes, I was in his image, and all that, but I felt like maybe, compared to other girls, He may have held out on me a bit.  So, you can imagine my dismay when I got paired to room with Diane.  Diane the gorgeous.  Diane the poised.  Diane the super talented. Diane the MODEL.  Yes.  A model.  Did I mention she was gorgeous?  And, guess what?  She ended up being my “roomie” on every weekend tour that year.  Yep.  Miss "Maybelline" and “Meh”.  

I thought I would take advantage of the situation, so I asked her to help me be more “put together” in my looks. We both realized, however, that God made me a free spirit whose hair will never cooperate no matter how strong the beauty product. And make up, well it was like a little girl trying to play grown up. She would remind me that I was beautiful in my own way, but it took a while for that to sink in. And every weekend I roomed with her, and with every failed make-over, I realized that not only was Diane gorgeous on the outside, her heart was even more so. Her patience and gentleness with me as I struggled with my self-esteem made her even more beautiful.  That probably should have frustrated me more, but it only made me desire to have the same spirit.

1 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”  When my heart was open to the fact that true beauty comes from a gentle and quiet spirit, a heart that loves God with every beat, my whole perspective and motivation changed.  I went from outward make-overs to inner transformation.

Do you have some “Miss Maybellines” in your life?  Maybe for you it’s someone’s talents or gifts you compare yourself to and feel like God may have short-changed you.  Genesis 1:27 says that, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” You were made in His image.  God is inspiring, exceptional, beautiful, creative.  You are also these things.  So, go from “meh” to “marvelous” my friends knowing these things come from within a heart that loves God and is transformed by His love!  No beauty products or “As Seen On TV” gimmicks needed.  Only heart that, with the Holy Spirit’s power, lives out the characteristics of the One who made them.

Not so “meh” anymore,

Lisa

What's in YOUR Vessel?

As I was reading my Bible today, a commercial came to mind. We have all seen the Capital One Venture card commercial where they promise more airline miles and better service over other cards that promise similar benefits.  They imply that if you have their card in your wallet, good things will happen; things that are helpful and useful to you. Basically, if you have any other card in your wallet, it is useless and not beneficial. Their slogan, “What’s in your wallet?” was inducted into the Advertising Walk of Fame as one of the 16 Greatest Slogans in History.  Yes, I know this.  Why?  I don’t know.  My husband calls me a “marketers dream”.  What can I say? I am a slogan and jingle junkie.  For some reason, my brain is hard-wired for them.  I’m sure that if someone put the Bible into the form of various jingles and made the main points into slogans, I would have the whole thing memorized in a week.  I’m glad no one has, but I DO memorize Scripture best if I sing it or add rhythm to it.  My Psalm 40 rap is out of this world!  Just kidding.  Kind of.  (We’ll talk later.)

When I read 2 Timothy 2:20-21 the slogan “What’s in your wallet?” came to mind.  It says, “In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but of wood and clay; some for honor and some for dishonor.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master; prepared for every good work.”  One vessel for honor another for dishonor.  if this passage were a credit card commercial it may say, “Capital One Clay Card. What’s in your vessel?”

If your vessel were to crack open or spill over what would come out?  Timothy says that if our vessel is filled with dishonor, things that do not bring glory to God, we are not useful or prepared for the work the Master has for us; useless.  So, how do we become useful?  By asking Father to cleanse us of what is not worthy of Him or does not give Him glory.  Sanctified means to become pure, set apart, clean; ready and waiting for the good work God has planned for us. 

One vessel useless and full of empty promises or one sanctified and promise-filled.  What’s in your vessel?

With the Spirit’s help, cleaning out my vessel with you,

Lisa

Keeping My Gaze

Father, there is no one like You.  Anything this world has to offer leaves us empty; unfulfilled.  You are the only one that satisfies.  Help us to keep our eyes always on you because with you at our side nothing can shake us. 

And on those days where our gaze drops or we are distracted by things of this world and we become weak trying to do things on our own, please take our face in your gentle hands and turn our gaze back to you. With our focus returned to you, strengthen us according to your endless riches.

May your spirit shape our inner being into your likeness.  You, God and patient Father, are the strength of our heart and our portion forever.

(Psalm 73:25-26; Psalm 16:8; Ephesians 3:16)

Keeping my gaze on Him with you,

Lisa