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Freedom in Your Calling: Start with a YES!

07.28.2020 by Charlotte G //

Hi, friend! I (Jennifer) am excited for you to meet our guest this month. Give Charlotte a warm welcome. She is a dear friend of mine, and I think what she shares about starting with a YES will speak to some hearts. Will it be yours? Take a peek. As always pop a comment below or at our Facebook Page!

Freedom on the Road to Calling (Guest)

Greetings my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I am joyful that you are hungry for more of who God called you to be. Grace and peace to you as you jump in the adventure with the Lord.

In this time and place where it feels the same and different at the same time, to write about freedom to calling is not only for informational purposes, it is a charge!

It truly does start with your “Yes.”

A loud yes. A quiet yes. And He honors your yes.

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a NLT.

It was a Wednesday night; I walked into the church auditorium for a worship night. I was ready to sing and pray, but I did not hear anything. Perhaps, I already missed it. A worship pastor asked me, “So, what song are you singing for the audition?” I realized the gathering was for an informational meeting for worship volunteers.

I quickly replied, “I don’t sing, but I would love to serve in other capacities.”

She immediately grabbed someone and said, “Great, I’d like you to meet this guy, our technical director.” I met him and his wife, that night, and I was introduced to the world of the Production Team.

My first full weekend to serve came, and I was scheduled to serve as a backstage hand. Naturally, the technical director’s responsibility was to show me around. He said, “Follow me.” I was thinking we would go to a back door, but he proceeded to walk up the front of the stage with the band already rehearsing. At that moment, I realized I was terrified of the stage. The director was already up there, waiting for me to follow. So I put one foot in front of the other, trying to cover up every ounce of fear I had.

It is fascinating to look back, that before this incident, I only had a vision of speaking in front of thousands of people about God’s goodness. I did not know I had to conquer my fear of going up a stage. God honored my yes, and He continues to lead me, even though I did not know.

There are things that are set in motion, when you say yes. Every time I serve taking out backstage props to the front of the stage, I am quickly reminded that I am conquering my fear and closer to my purpose.

It is not without opposition, my friends, so be aware. When I was on stage one of the times I was serving, I heard the words of shame and accusation: “She is so fat,” or “Look at her reeling the monitor out or taking the podium on stage when she has a college degree. How shameful.”

I could easily be discouraged by these lies, but there is also a powerful truth in the Word.

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT

When I serve and love on people, I realize I am becoming more of whom I am following: I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I quickly hold on to that thought to guard the purity of my heart.

Be Comfortable in the Uncomfortable

Secondly, start being comfortable with being uncomfortable. We say it all the time, but have you experienced it? There is freedom on the other side of fear. It’s like fear has become the gauge to do the very thing you feared to do, given that it is rooted in love and in the Word. It is part of learning and growing.

What I did not tell you was I also did not like talking into the “comms,” which is a headset with a microphone that “communicates” with the rest of the team. I asked myself why I did not like talking into the “comms,” and I learned that I had a fear of man.

Communication is key in this team. The things I need to communicate sometimes would be something important. To love and serve sometimes looks different, and sometimes this looks like learning to get out of my head and speak. So, I speak, even if it is imperfect or with an accent. Speak, Charlotte, and start being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 NIV

Abide in the Lord

In a “microwavable” culture, where “instant” is craved, sometimes we could miss the beauty in the “process.” Where I think I was failing, I am realizing that I probably did not stay long enough to see the victory. In the process, there is the importance of abiding in the Lord.

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4 NIV

Several weeks in, the production team began training new video directors. To give you a bit of a background, I don’t play video games, and the VD console, looks like something someone uses to play video games, and that they are highly coordinated. You’ve heard it before, “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.”

I prayed about it, and I volunteered. God has a funny sense of humor. As “quiet” and “non-leader-type” as I am, He quickly changed that narrative and led me to a space where I needed to lead and call the shots. There were countless hours of learning and mistakes and uncoordinated mishaps. Yet, week after week, I was called to come back and serve as a video director. I chose to stay and remain in Him during these times.

It is amazing how this parallels the simple gospel. He calls you back and covers your mistakes and calls you up to a greater purpose. Wow, right? This is totally a game changer and I continue to improve in love and in confidence.

My one-year anniversary rolled around, and the technical director congratulated me in front of the team for starting out serving as a backstage hand and becoming a video director. I thanked him and mentioned I am honored and privileged to serve with the team, and said, “You had always set me up for success.” I know that it is not all in my own doing but it was also in my “Yes” and partnering with the Holy Spirit. I have a feeling this is where our Father God wants to take you, too!

So, I leave you with these questions: What have you said yes to in Christ Jesus? What is He nudging you to take action today (it could be very well small steps and probably even scary to tackle)? Are you aware of the process that you are currently in?

And guess what? I am still in the process. I would love hear from you, so let me know if this resonates with you or encourages you in any way.

Blessings to you as you embark on your own journey to your calling!

Signature: Charlotte

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte wants to share a graphic with you that will encourage you. Be sure to catch it at the Facebook Page!

Categories // Freedom on the Road to Calling, Guest Perspectives Tags // 1 John 4:18, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Facets of Faith, Guest perspectives, John 15:4, Life Calling, Matthew 20:28, Start with a Yes

Springing Forward with God: Say Yes!

04.01.2019 by Lavonna Garner //

Hello and welcome to Facets of Faith! We’re glad you stopped by this week. We’ve been waiting to introduce you to our beautiful friend, Lavonna Garner. She is definitely someone you should know. Her soul is gentle. Her prayer is fierce. She is a wonderful teacher and friend. Take a peek at her thoughts on springing forward with God.

Share Lavonna with your friends! And let’s talk about springing forward in the comments below or at our Facebook Page!

How Will You Spring Forward With God? (Guest)

God is always moving! From the beginning of creation, we see Him at work. In fact, God was moving before the earth was formed!

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2, NLT)

As daughters of the Most High, we serve a mighty God who is active and present in the earth. He has a purpose and plan for each of us; it is as unique as the prints upon our fingers which bear their individual identity. In His love, God designed a plan for all of creation; and out of His love, He invites us to participate in it through the work of His Holy Spirit.

How will YOU spring forward with God?
In light of “spring” defined, how will you “move or jump suddenly or rapidly upward or forward” with God? What will you DO to experience, not just movement, but the fullness of “spring” defined with our Father?

Some of us will have to rid ourselves of things, thoughts, and/or perhaps people, to accomplish this. Sudden or rapid upward or forward movement can not be achieved if we are carrying excess weight. Possessions accumulated to fulfill a desire long passed now clamor for so much of our time and attention that we have no time for God; cares burden our hearts and clutter our minds; unhealthy thoughts, habits, and relationships that produced fruit undesirable to us and others all open the door to the enemy. Our failure to “clean house” not only gives Satan permission to wreak havoc in our lives, but can, dare I say, “constipate” our walk with God. Refusal to release the things that bind us will hinder our ability to not only move with God, but virtually make it impossible for us to experience sudden or rapid upward and forward mobility in our relationship with Him.

What or who do YOU need to release to spring forward with God?

During my young adult years, I had a vision and a plan for my future. That plan, however, did not always coincide with the will of my Heavenly Father. There were seasons where I not only chose to have my way and did, but also rejected The Way, The Truth, and The Life that had been beautifully established for all of creation before the foundation of the world began. God, in spite of my disobedience, patiently waited for His prodigal daughter to return home. It wasn’t until I was able to embrace the unconditional love my Father had for me and His forgiveness, that I was able to approach His launching pad.

What do YOU need to embrace in order to spring forward with God?

The power of saying “YES!”
From the time we were little, we exerted our power. Phrases like “No!”, “I don’t want that!”, “You can’t make me!”, and my eldest daughter’s favorite, “I can do it myself!” became the threads  many of us unknowingly wove into the fiber of our relationship with God. I certainly understand why we, as believers, are called “children of God.” We hang onto our threads, refuse to listen to wisdom, and insist on doing life our way. We fail to see the power of saying “yes” to God and the beautiful tapestry He has woven, and we settle for a life unraveled and undefined.

This New Year, I made a commitment to say yes to God! Unless my Holy Spirit emergency discernment system sends me a warning, I am saying yes to the LORD’s will and to the way He chooses to unfold it. Yes to fasting…yes to being intentional in my effort to study scripture…yes to accepting opportunities that take me outside of my comfort zone…yes to not being attached to the outcome…yes to a life of obedience (which by the way, brings deliverance), and yes to no longer being “too difficult to work with.” (Those were words the LORD spoke to my heart years ago.) Living a yes-centered life has stretched and catapulted me forward with God! It is only the beginning of March, and I have seen God’s hand move in amazing ways—being invited to write this post is just one of them! My “yes” will move my Father’s heart and will allow me to spring forward in and with Him.

What is God inviting you to say “yes” to that will spring you forward with Him?

My word for 2019 is “expectancy.” This year, I am expecting great things! As I spring forward with God, I will grow in my understanding of His will, live a yes-centered life, and see His promises to me and my family fulfilled. In Him I am committed to living, moving (springing forward), and having my being (Acts 17:28)!

How will you spring forward with God?

Categories // Faith, Guest Perspectives, Spring Forward with God Tags // Children of God, Expectancy, Facets of Faith, Genesis 1:1-2, Guest perspectives, Yes to God

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