When I write this blog I often struggle to find balance. I am a Christian, alcoholic, mother, wife, speaker…….and I tend to write about all of these aspects of my life. My readership is quite varied, I don’t want to give the impression that I’m a pious, legalistic person…..and yet I want to run up to everyone and share my faith so they can feel the love and purpose that I have found.
I have been praying about this balance and how to present myself here well.
Last week, while I was away I feel that I found my answer in the form of a God-slap.
The retreat our family went to offers chapel services twice a day.
Two years ago when we visited I was aghast, who the HELL would ever want to go to chapel that much??? Keep in mind there’s a gorgeous beach there to enjoy, add in my self-centered state of mind and I’m certain you’ll have the feel of where I was coming from.
This year I was eager to go to chapel, the children were in program so I headed out with my notebook in hand. The speaker for the week was Dr David Earley who is by appearance, an unassuming, quieter man. He has a kind and friendly face….on his site he is described as “He is a quietly effective author, professor, mentor and pastor.”
This guy isn’t quiet…he’s a powerhouse!
Generally speaking, when I go to listen to a speaker I bring a notebook and take a page of notes. During Dr. Earley’s talks I took 3+ pages of notes each session. Seriously folks, when you pray for guidance from God be prepared for Him to smack you in the forehead with the answers. In this case, Dr. Earley was God’s conduit for me to hear the response.
I had been struggling with the dilemma of how to project myself on my blog, and also my insecurity regarding my “newness” within my faith. I don’t mean that I had doubts about my faith, quite the opposite. My life IS changed, my foundation for my life in Christ is solid.
There is no turning back for this girl, I have truly received the Grace given to me by God and had been struggling with fears of how it will be received by others.
That black box within my mind had been spewing negative, doubtful thoughts about myself. I was feeling that people who had been in the Christian faith for some time wouldn’t be open to hearing me. Again I’d fallen victim to my past behaviors. Without me realizing I was shooting myself in the foot before beginning. I have acknowledged this character defect, prayed diligently about it and yet it still exists.
And so when I heard Dr. Early speak about how it’s our mission to stand in the victory that Jesus has already won for us, I felt smacked in the head by God.
Ephesians 2:4-6
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
God hasn’t been saying to me to wait, to learn more and become “mature” in Christianity. I am already living “in Christ”, and by living “in Christ” everything that is true of him is true of us.
Dr. Earley used this as an example:
Fact: Jesus was, is and always will be victorious.
Fact: I am living “in Christ”
Fact: Therefore I am already victorious.
See what I mean about the God-slap?
Today I am claiming the victory!
I am claiming the confidence that is mine because God loves me. By focusing upon God’s love for me I can continue to kindle my love for God and share that with others.
What does this mean to my life?
Well first off there is nothing like starting your day knowing you’re truly loved for everything you are.
It also means that I will continue to develop my outline for the Women’s Ministry I have been working on.
I will also publicly offer myself as a speaker, I have begun to do this but now will actively contact local organizations and groups.
That’s a big deal for me and I’m thrilled to begin this branch of my journey.
1 John: 1-4
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our complete
A.A. 24 Hour a Day: Thought for the Day
We in Alcoholics Anonymous do not try to chart the path for the human soul or try to lay out a blueprint of the working of faith, as one might plan a charity drive. We do tell the newcomer that we have renewed our faith in a Higher Power. In the telling, our faith is further renewed. We believe that faith is always close at hand, waiting for those who will listen to the heartbeat of the spirit. We believe there is a force for good in the universe and that if we link up with this force, we are carried onward to a new life. Am I in this stream of goodness?
We in Alcoholics Anonymous do not try to chart the path for the human soul or try to lay out a blueprint of the working of faith, as one might plan a charity drive. We do tell the newcomer that we have renewed our faith in a Higher Power. In the telling, our faith is further renewed. We believe that faith is always close at hand, waiting for those who will listen to the heartbeat of the spirit. We believe there is a force for good in the universe and that if we link up with this force, we are carried onward to a new life. Am I in this stream of goodness?
Meditation for the Day
God will protect you from the forces of evil, if you will rely on Him. You can face all things through the power of God, which strengthens you. Once God has set on you His stamp and seal of ownership, all His strength will serve and protect you. Remember that you are a child of the Father. Realize that the Father’s help is always ready and available to all His children, so that they can face anything. God will do all that is necessary for your spiritual well-being, if you will let Him live His way.
God will protect you from the forces of evil, if you will rely on Him. You can face all things through the power of God, which strengthens you. Once God has set on you His stamp and seal of ownership, all His strength will serve and protect you. Remember that you are a child of the Father. Realize that the Father’s help is always ready and available to all His children, so that they can face anything. God will do all that is necessary for your spiritual well-being, if you will let Him live His way.
I feel the same way about my blog all the time!! I have so many IRL friends who read my blog who I KNOW are NOT believers, and I sometimes worry that if they read too much Jesus stuff on my blog, they will wonder what happened to their friend, where did she go? But at the same time, I try and remind myself that they will love me no matter what, and maybe it will be through me that someday they will find Jesus themselves. Or maybe, they will stumble across Him through someone else, and then they will think, "hey! THis is what Robin was writing about all those years!" And if the rest of the readers remember even one thing I said, about Jesus, sobriety, raising kids, etc, then I think I've done something positive. I have never come here and thought you are young in Christ (maybe because I am even younger) but I do know that I get some of the greatest confirmations to my statements about Christ from longer Believers, and they typically add something so profound that I never even thought about, that the whole experience is heightened beyond what I could have imagined. And then I think about how great it will be to commune with them in Heaven forever, and it makes it that much more beautiful to think about. :)I love reading about your experiences…I am so glad you learned so much from your retreat. :-) Keep sharing as you have been…I love your blog!
Very refreshing perspective. I am so happy to hear that you are seeing and feeling your acceptance in Christ. That you know you don't have to be *perfect* to be able to be a thriving, living, breathing, contributing, child of God. What a gift!
@Robin what an awesome response! Your first paragraph describes my blog challenges, but I've decided to just put it out there.I appreciate your perspective on my length of time living in Christ, that's exactly what I mean…I personally learn from everyone I encounter.
@Annette I agree, just another example of God's grace in my life.
I think it's important to put yourself out there and take the risk, it's important to be who you are in your life in ALL of your life. If you are a Christian in your life at HOME, why not on your BLOG…what other people feel or say is generally a projection coming from them and the many layers and many perceptions that they have. I consider myself a hippy christian/buddhist, it perplexes people, let it…it's better that they know that life is not Black and White and that perceptions are just that, perceptions. People will come to your blog and read it and take what they need and leave the rest. If they do not and they state an opinion counter that is ok too, it's all about acceptance of who you are as much as who they are and where they are…my last thought is that people sometimes share their neurosis, that is okay too, just don't take it personal…and know that you are loved!!!
@Gabriella Moonlight well said! I love that you understand my meaning so easily and that your opinion is in line with mine ;) If only all the world were like that it would be easier….but boring perhaps
Very simply: "YOU GO GIRL!"I believe in living authentically, in my blog you do see the real me. I've struggled, I've grown, I've broken and mended, I've changed my point of view, the blog is a living entity that grows and changes with me. The most important part is that it is a reflection of growth, it's no more legalistic and solid than I am, it's a rhythm. Just like yours! Your blog has a rhythm, and I hear the melody, it's all about Grace, Christs sacrifice and your salvation and healing through your connection to God in Christ and your work in AA to get to know the path and directions better :)YAY GOD! YAY Julie!!!