I recently attended a 2-day Christian women’s conference. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been to one, but those things are definitely my jam. I love gleaning inspiration in new ways from spirit-filled women and men of God. Connecting with fresh faces and new voices that know the same God I know, serve the same God I serve, and think, feel, and act much like I do has a way of reminding me that God is just so big.
People from many different walks of life, from all over the world – varying races, religions, languages, gender, styles, and appearances – coming together in His name with a common goal of learning and living for Him might just rattle you a little. And rattle me, it did. I’ve got a book full of notes to prove it.
Author and speaker Bob Goff was one of the teachers, and he encouraged us to reach out to others with our weak hand, to share our vulnerabilities with others to make connections in His name. I believe this is so incredibly important. Our human existence is desperate for these types of interactions. Soaking in the highlight reels of Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, we often have ourselves convinced that we’re the only ones with any problems at all. Our spirits long for connection, but we unintentionally drive wedges between one another with the absence of any real transparency, projecting the illusion that our little piece of the world is nothing if not beautifully photographed squares.
Just to clarify: I am absolutely against airing dirty laundry and complaining on social media or in public. I am simply under the conviction that sharing real life with one another, even when it’s not picture perfect, is where we will find the most freedom, peace, and love.
I recently shared in an Instagram post the battle I have had lately with not having my stuff together. Exhaustion and busyness were weighing on me like I was at the bottom of a trash compressor. I couldn’t get out for the constant piling on of all the things. I withdrew a bit. I was less present in social media, blogging, and even with my family. Oh, I was there. I was at home but mentally bogged down so I felt I couldn’t enjoy a moment. This predicament wasn’t the result of one thing, but a lot of yeses that weren’t bad, but, for the sake of my sanity, probably should have been noes.
Please excuse me while I reach out my ugly, weak, shaking hand to you. Do you know the first thing that I consistently let go of when I feel overwhelmed, consumed, and dead tired? It’s my quiet time with the Lord. The lies I believe sound something like these: I can’t possibly get up any earlier, because I’m just too exhausted. I have too much going on. Jesus understands. He knows I need rest. Maybe I’ll get to it later in the day. I’ll catch up with Him later. I can’t make time for that now. It’s another thing on my plate. Friends, those lies are from the pits of hell. Women and men who are far wiser than I poured their experience and wisdom into me this weekend. Let me share with you what I learned. Maybe this is your weak hand, too.
“The devil wants us focused on life.” Todd White
This is his sneakiest tactic. It’s so innocent…we’re not doing anything wrong, bad, or immoral. We’re just so darn busy. We’ve got spouses, kids, jobs, homes, hobbies, sports, obligations, extended families, friends, the list goes on. There’s not a thing wrong with these OR with being busy. There’s only something wrong if we are believing the lie that we can do these things instead of having a relationship with our creator. Todd White said that so often we are blinded by just having Jesus incorporated into our lives. We have no real relationship with him. It’s when we’re truly surrendered to Jesus that he literally empowers us. I’d rather be empowered than blinded. This is my weak hand.
“Intimacy with Him is the cure for your tired. He will rejuvenate you.” Priscilla Shirer
My girl Priscilla is my new BFF. I mean, she doesn’t know me, but I intend to stalk her from here on out. She gets me. She knows what it’s like to be a mom to 3 boys and to try to balance faith, life, and all the things. (Can I get an amen?) She set me straight this weekend. She said that if we’ll give God our little tiny bit, He’ll take it and run. Give Him your tired. Give Him your busy. Give Him your struggle. Give Him your dream. Give Him your hope. Give Him your wish. Don’t withdraw from Him when the going gets tough. This is when you need Him the most. He is using your circumstances to teach you, mold you, make you, and He needs you to go through this season of life. Trust him to bless it, and cling to Him during this time. I mean, where were you in the last few weeks, Priscilla? Why didn’t you shoot me a text-length version of this? This is my weak hand.
“Faith comes by hearing, and we determine what we listen to.” Christine Caine
This girl has truth oozing from her bones, and quite frankly we can like it or lump it. There were so many times during her teaching that I held a clenched fist to my mouth and said, “Daaaaaaang!” She told us like it is, girlfriends. She reminded us that the enemy of our souls desires that we bear no fruit. He wants us to be shamed into believing we’re inadequate, so we really should just stop trying. This phrase will stick with me, and I will impart it to my children from now on: “Who told you that?”
Examples: I’m so exhausted, I couldn’t possibly fit in a quiet time in the morning. Who told you that?
I’m too old to go back to school. Who told you that?
I’m not spiritual enough to start that bible study. Who told you that?
I’m not good enough to apply for that job. I probably won’t get it. Who told you that?
The more the enemy can whisper lies to oppress us, the more he can make us feel inadequate, beat down, and belittled, the less we can and will do for the kingdom. This is my weak hand.
I could quite literally write an entire book on what I learned over the weekend. I am so grateful for a fresh take on life. I love how God met me right where I was and spoke to exactly what I needed to hear. I pray that we can reach out our weak hands to one another and stand in the gaps for each other. We can sharpen one another, encourage one another, and together stand firm against the enemy of our souls, because God told us we CAN.