I’m about a chapter into Jenni Catron’s, CLOUT.
It only took the woman about three pages to officially make it onto my, “Women I’d like to have coffee with” list*. Yes, I have a list for that… don’t act so surprised.
Reading this book during this now has been serendipitous.
The right words for the right season.
Growing up, my dad had saying:: “If I tell you a chicken can pull a locomotive… you hook it up.” In other words, don’t ask questions just believe me.
I shared earlier this week (as in, ya know… two days ago) my current adventure in trust and hope and peace…. In other words, not being afraid. In Catron’s opening chapter she identifies the 7 Clout Killers and addresses the thing so often stopping us from living out our God given influence. Fear.
I can appreciate my father’s words. He is a man of honor and love and integrity. I trust him- I am a through and through daddy’s girl and would search for a chicken before the words were out of his mouth if the time came. And yet…
I’m glad {in this single instance} the words of my father aren’t those of God.
Catron wastes no time addressing fear and naming truth. More specifically, naming God’s truth.
Her words were water to a thirsty racer-
We know how fear affects us. We acknowledge the darkness, isolation, and inactivity that accompany it, but how do we over- come it? We read all the “do not be afraid” scriptures and are more likely to feel guilt for not having the faith to overcome it than find peace in those statements.
But take another look at every time God says, “Do not be afraid.” Notice that his message doesn’t end there. Behind every statement he gives us a reason why we shouldn’t fear. “Do not be afraid” technically should be enough because he is God. But he knew that our fears need to be replaced with strong promises. We need to replace fear with truth. Listen to the statements of truth that followed “do not be afraid . . .”
I am your shield, / your very great reward. (Gen. 15.1)
God has heard. (Genesis. 21.17)
for I am with you. (Isaiah 41.10)
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1.9)
you have found favor with God. (Luke 1.30)[emphasis added]
May I be so vulnerable to admit, I’ve been missing the promises of God in His command to not be afraid for 24 years?
Reading these words this week, I was ushered by Catron into a deeper awe for The Father. A Father who owes no explanation to me- a Father I revere, a Father so Holy I would perish if I fully understood Him. And yet, He promises me.- shelter, a listening ear, favor, to be near. His ways are not our ways.
My words fail to describe the known-ness I experienced in these statements.
I let out an audible, “praise the lamb” at the revelation. Praise The Lamb I will not live another day without knowing this truth.
What truth has been rocking your socks lately?
*according to her twitter bio, Jenni would prefer tea to coffee- but she stays on the list!
Catron, Jenni. Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-given Influence. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2014. Print.
