At some point or another I think the majority of us have tried to find fulfillment. We look for it in things, hobbies, work and other people. We crave acceptance. We want to know if we are good enough at what we do and if people will accept who we are by our actions, thoughts and words. In grade school we search for normality and strive to fit in. An Intro to Psychology class will tell you as children this plays a large role in who we become. We test an action and watch the reaction from our parents or loved ones to learn what is the right and acceptable thing to do. Interesting stuff.
But what about when we become adults? What about when we grow up? I believe as you grow older you learn to find acceptance in whom or what, we choose. You realize people change. Some people will let you down. Some leave, others stay no matter what, while some you may love but they may just not be reliable enough to trust. Daily we chose how much we value someone therefore how big a role in our lives we allow them to take. Will I care if this person sees me act goofy? What are the consequences of that? If it is an older respected person of the community you are probably less likely to act like a goofball ,however if you are with friends or family you hopefully can be yourself and know they won’t judge you for your silliness, but love you more for it.
….so where am I going in all of this? Well I have a proposal for you. A challenge. What if we chose to direct our thoughts and minds to Christ instead?
” I have raised him up in righteousness, And will direct ALL his ways“- Isa 45:13 KJV
“For the weapons of warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ“– 2COR 10:4-5 ESV
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind ,that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good acceptable and perfect.”- Romans 12:2 ESV
This is a challenge I have to daily try to take for myself. It isn’t an easy task. Now I can be goofy or silly with pure confidence, but if you put an instrument in my hand I struggle to find acceptence of myself and where I am at. Music is something I love and God put it in my heart to write music and songs to Him and to say things unsaid. To use music as intercession and warfare for His people. Yet when I hold an instrument in my hands fear starts prodding at my mind. I hear lies.
“you aren’t good enough to play that”
“Others are way better, why even try”
“This will never be your thing Kelsey just quit”
It is something different for all of us. This is one of my battles and a piece of joy the enemy has tried to steal from me. The thing is though all these negative thoughts and anxieties come from worrying how others see my music or me. If I kept my mind on God and His perceptions of me even the worst sounds would produce confidence and joy. Because He has never has an evil word or thought against me. Psalms says his thoughts toward us outnumber the grains of sand (Ps129:17-18). That his intentions and thoughts toward us are for a future of good and hope and not for evil (Jer29:11).
So what if I took this concept and put it towards every aspect of my life? What if I applied every situation, decision, and negative thought and held it to God’s word and truth? Joy! The Lord intends so much good and life for us. He made each of us perfect and unique and growing up I think we crush a lot of ourselves because it wasn’t “normal” or it was a little out there, or maybe there is something you just wrote off you couldn’t do because of a bad experience. We are called to an abnormal life as followers of Christ. As World Racers many of us have left jobs, school and are giving up the material to have a chance to follow our Father with all we have. To the world that definitely isn’t normal. It is probably even a little crazy. So why do we do it? Because God has called each of us for one reason or another and we have chosen to obey Him and trust that in His goodness will provide and care for us.
My challenge isn’t really my challenge at all. It is a call to accept the joy and fulfillment God has for us even in the little things in our lives, because He can use them and make them great. To not value or compare our lives to others but to Christs. To accept His value on us and not our own. This requires action.
“Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established”-Proverbs 16:3 NKJV
“In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your path straight”-Proverbs 3:6 ESV
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desire of your heart”- Psalms 37:4-5 ESV
Lets take all He has to offer us and be fulfilled in Him. Greatness awaits.
