Last year I got to put on a women's conference (with some other incredible women) and I just loved it. I really enjoy stuff like that. I love speaking and organizing schedules and dreaming of how to help women get closer to the Lord. But this year Austin said our family just doesn't have enough extra energy or time for me to organize it again. I respect that He values our family, though it's so hard to say "No" to such a good thing. Have you ever been in a situation like that? Had to say no to something really good. Or had to say no to someone who really needed you? Jesus did. "As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was." Mark 1:29-34 So when Jesus was done teaching on the Sabbath in the synagogue, He heads over to Simon (Peter) and Andrew's, His new home base for ministry. Picture Jesus with these guys walking on the dirt road after church to the house just a couple blocks away. They arrive at the big house, with many rooms and an open shared area. They get home, probably hungry. Perhaps that's why the brothers start talking about Peter's wife's mom and how's she sick. Perhaps she was the good cook in the house and the brothers had no idea what to make for Jesus for lunch. I don't know, but perhaps that's why they bring it up. Then Jesus in His awesome-ness gets up and approaches the sick mother-in-law and heals her. She gets up and starts making them lunch. Word gets out that she is healed and tons of people from this small 1,000-1,500 people town descend on the house wanting Jesus to heal their friends and family members too. Jesus spends the whole night healing people. He must have been exhausted. But... "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons." Mark 1:35-39 After a late night of giving all of Himself, He gets up early to spend time with the Father. Beautiful! But then the super crazy part! A whole ton of people are at the house again looking for Him to heal their friends and family. A ton of people need Jesus but does what He does shock you? He LEAVES! He leaves these people who need Him. Why? Because the mission was get squished out of being His primary focus and healing people was becoming central. So in order for the mission to become central and healing just to be a supplement, a way to prove He was God, a way to serve the mission, He changes His location. And that required saying no to people who needed Him, making it obvious that not every need is a calling. Isn't that freeing? To be able to say No, knowing that just because there is a need, that doesn't mean your always the one God wants to meet the need. Here's a video where I talk about how to follow Jesus' example and keep the mission central in our own life. 
and PS, since I talked about Jesus getting up early to spend time with the Lord, did you see my new video sharing tips on spending quality time with the Lord and getting the more out of reading the Bible? Check it out. 
More in this seriesA Glimpse of the Wow-ing God 1:1-8 I was Ruined for Anything Else 1:16-18 Amazed and wanting to throw off a cliff. 1:21-28 Faith Filled Friday Blog Hop Link Up
e exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the the Lord somehow. So go ahead and link up below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. Please just let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or put my button code (found on my side bar or the Faith Filled Friday Tab) so they can find these other great people glorifying God and we can continue to grow as a community.Thanks! And in effort to encourage others in their writing by faith, please take a minute to comment on the two posts linked up before you. I'm linked up with the beautiful ladies at Fellowship Fridays, Nebraska Graceful, Reflection of Him,Spiritual Sunday, Heart Reflected, The Better Mom, Create with Joy.
16 Comments
9/13/2012 06:26:12 pm
Laura - this is a wonderful post. You have such a gift for teaching and encouraging others in the Lord. Love watching your videos and reading your posts. There is always so much to ponder and reflect upon after a visit to your site.
Very good post, Laura! 9/13/2012 11:51:49 pm
I love this scripture... I have taught on it many times. Always a great reminder to truly live life lead by the Spirit and not just the needs or even desires around us... Life is seasons. The things we say "yes" to change with those seasons when we are listening to the Holy Spirit. Blessings to you today! :) 9/14/2012 01:21:08 am
Great stuff here! "Not every need is a calling." I'll be chewing on that for a while. Good message. I once had a counselor tell me he thought my fatigue, stress and restlessness was caused by using one of gifts,callings, too much and not developing, using, giving my other gifts. That was a real eye opener for me and did lead me to new discernment. Something to think about. Good post! 9/14/2012 02:48:03 am
Thanks for this affirmation that it's OK to say no sometimes. Thanks for the great post & for hosting the linkup & God bless! This is so timely for me. I was asked to serve in BSF this year, but my husband and I decided that I was already committed to too much. When I got ready to go to the first meeting this week, I found out they were short 4 leaders and had to close 2 children's classes. I immediately wondered if I should fill the gap, but there really is no way I can do it and stay sane. I've never heard it put like you did, but I believe you are right. Just because there is a need doesn't mean it's my calling to fill it. I definitely don't want to take away someone else's opportunity to serve. It is freeing knowing you don't have to say 'yes' - that others can do that job. It is freeing. When I first became a Christian I didn't know how to say no so eventually we got burnt out... Not a good place to be and it doesn't just hurt you, it hurts your family as well. Jesus obviously greatly understood that as he knew he had to be there for his disciples and others. Bless you for a great post! 9/14/2012 12:35:45 pm
Great reminder! I blogged a while back, "Turning Stones to Bread," along similar lines. So many worthwhile, Christian causes exist, but not everyone is called to do everthing. I enjoyed reading this, Laura. 9/14/2012 11:33:17 pm
Not every need is as calling...I know this...KNOW it, but find it so hard to practice. Yes. Hi Laura; I've enjoyed looking around and reading your tweets. I tried to join Faith Filled Fridays, but unfortunately, my blog post is somehow crippled this week and my hostess party links went bonkers and I was barely able to publish post; so there's always next week. Thanks Terri 9/16/2012 06:07:13 am
What a wonderful way to illustrate a valid truth that I had to learn, though not so eloquently. It would have been good if I had met with this study years ago, but even now it brings light to my understanding. You have a great talent. I can't wait to avail myself to even more of your teaching. 9/16/2012 07:04:53 am
Wow. This is probably one of the most convicting posts I have read in a while. I love how God works. Right now, my mom is in the hospital {again}, and I feel like I need to be there to help her get better, care for Dad, etc. However, it is just not possible, and we do not have the resources or energy to travel in yet another plane. Our year has involved a lot of traveling. Going and meeting needs and squeezing in "us" time when we can. The story you shared of Jesus was incredibly humbling and thought provoking, especially this part: "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." He came to share the good news of the Gospel. And isn't that our ultimate mission, our ultimate purpose, to glorify God through the sharing of His Son? We live in Steamboat Springs, the second most unchurched town in Colorado. God brought us here. I can't minister here if I'm not here. Yet, I've felt the pull to be with and serve family 1500 miles away with the same regularity we were used to before God uprooted our little family and moved us west. That is just simply not His call on my life. It's confusing for me, but His teaching is clear. I must trust Him and His wisdom on this one...thanks for sharing this. It truly ministered to my heart. What grace! 9/28/2012 08:05:15 am
It is so hard to say no. Thanks for the encouragment and reminder!! (Stopping by from the Allume link-up.) 10/5/2012 03:13:19 am
Thank you! I so needed this~ and the video link was helpful. I've been living in my uniqueness while trying to pull people to church rather than using that uniqueness to do so... very helpful blog post :) Leave a Reply. |
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