What does it mean to have a “teachable spirit”? (Matthew 13) Do you think you have one? Are you eager to hear what others have to say? Are you open and hungry for others ideas and points of view? Maybe you sensor or prejudge others (for countless reasons), deciding they could never offer you any good information; even those who may have gone before you, made mistakes, learned from them and now, are trying to save you the same trouble? Perhaps you've decided what you think is truth and stick to that regardless of what anyone says? Maybe you've even decided what God is capable of, how much He loves you, how He can show you that love and what He wants for your life? All of us have at some time or another. How have you limited our limitless God?
I’ve been pondering and praying about this for some time now and I can say, without reservation, that more than anything else in this life, I want to learn as much as I possibly can when it comes to Christ. WHATEVER that information may be and WHOM EVER it may come from….if it leads to more of Him, I’m there. Above all else, just give me Christ!
Growing up, the Word was changed and stretched, verses were picked over and chosen for me. Sometimes, select scripture would be left out all together. I grew up in a “fear of the Lord is healthy” kind of church. I never heard about His love for me, I only heard about what would happen to me IF I didn’t choose Him. I was never told about the “gifts of the spirit” and when I did hear of them, it was told to make us fearful of those gifts, or told to help us see how “radical” some had become in relation to His teachings. (There are “rules” that go along with the gifts of the spirit, but sadly, those sometimes, also, get sidelined. 1 Corinthians 14) The thought of a God that passionately loved me, chased after me, wanted more than anything else to bless me, would give His life for me and then would give me His own spirit and power to live in me and lead me through difficulties never, ever crossed my mind. Good Christian people; well meaning, Christian people, have always had a knack for avoiding the things: verses, people, churches, etc. that make them uncomfortable. I’m sure we’ve all had experience with this in some form or another. We stick to what’s safe. We stick to what’s comfortable. Stretching, pruning, growing, learning…is all extremely UNcomfortable sometimes. But in order to live the life He's planned and hopes for us, it is also extremely necessary.
Can you imagine living during Jesus’ lifetime? Can you imagine hearing Him speak to demons, watching Him cast out illnesses, raise people from the dead and Save everyone? How uncomfortable must that have been for some? Imagine the Pharisees, who thought they knew "all things God", seeing this carpenter perform unimaginable miracles right before their eyes, speaking with such love and compassion that multitudes of people followed him everywhere he went (Matthew 4, 5, 8, 9). My heart is overwhelmed. Imagine now, had those people turned their back to Him (as some did) and never received their healing, their deliverance, their salvation…His incomprehensible love. I cannot imagine a greater tragedy. Please God, never let that be me.
God has been so precious in my journey. He has led me to churches I swore I’d never attend because things happened there that might be uncomfortable and to pastors, leaders and fellow Christians, who knew so much more than I did, that I was overwhelmed by the Spirit of God in them. He LED me. I followed, sometimes afraid, but more than the feeling of fear, I wanted more of Him and anything that would draw me closer. I followed… and I am thankful. ALL the places and leaders were instrumental in my growth. I would not be who I am today, were it not for those “unwanted” and “uncomfortable” places.
Today I chase after those churches and leaders. I can’t get enough teachings that challenge me to grow and think differently. I sincerely hunger for more of Christ. Some days, I ache for His presence. I need Him. I need Him however I can get Him and I am, honestly, completely unashamed of how much I need Him. This has not always been the case. In the past, I have been a very independently minded person, very strong willed and unashamed of my opinions, however harmful they may be. I wanted what I wanted, thought what I thought and anyone who didn’t agree could just move out of the way. By the grace of God, and this burning hunger for more of Him, He has shown me, through love, the ONLY thing I really need is Him and with that has come sooo much more than I could ever ask or think.
Now, as an active follower of Christ, I am resolved to never “box” Him in. Never let it be said of me, that I limited Him in any way or that I decided what He’s capable of, how much He can love me or how much He can bless me. The whole idea is preposterous. How completely foolish! Why would anyone do that? And yet, we do it…everyday…limit, our awesome, all powerful, completely loving and absolutely faithful Father. The choice, as always, is ours.
As for me…above ALL else…just give me Jesus!
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to me more and more. Thank You for taking me places and putting me in the presence of people who, although they might make me uncomfortable, they teach me something invaluable about You. Continue to grow me…I welcome it. Open my eyes to Your glory in whatever form it comes. In Jesus' Holy and Mighty name, Amen.
******************************A few of my favorites include:
Leadership
Jimmy Evans - Trinity Fellowship Church, Amarillo, Texas
Robert Morris - Gateway Church, Southlake, Texas
Brady Boyd - New Life Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Bill Johnson - Bethel Church, Redding, California
Kenneth Hagin - Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Kenneth Copeland - Ft. Worth, Texas
Creflo Dollar - Atlanta, Georgia
Books
Captivating - Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul - John and Stasi Eldredge
The Shack - William P. Young
When Heaven Invades Earth - Bill Johnson
Heavy Rain - Kris Valloton
Jesus Culture - Banning Liebscher
Worship
LivWorship
New Life Worship
Jesus Culture
Gateway Worship
Lakewood Worship
Kari Jobe
Kim Walker
