So many times we hear something at church, or even during a workshop, or at school, and we are so pumped up and on fire...for the next hour...then we fizzle out. I am guilty of this! I can honestly say that I always have good intentions to follow through or implement changes into my life, but things happen and it falls through... *EXAMPLE* This past week I have been listening to the series F Bomb from Elevation every morning as I get ready for work. It is all about forgiveness. I was praying, and seeking God, forgiving others for past things, praying for forgiveness on my account..I was ON FIRE...then I was put into a situation where forgiveness was needed and "all up in my face". What was my first reaction? I started thinking negative thoughts, thinking the worst, and basically not giving the forgiveness I had been trying to implement all week. Sometimes it just happens.
This week Holly told us about Peter, a hot head disciple, who spoke before thinking about the words he was going to say. I mean then guy chopped off someones ear (John 18:10), was called Satan by Jesus (Mark 8:33), and denied Jesus 3 times (Mark 14:66-76). But he was also the one who walked on water with Jesus because of his boldness (Matthew 14:28-33), preached at Pentecost because of this confidence (Acts 2:14-28), and had the opportunity to sit with Jesus, look him in the eye, and tell him 3 times he loved him and on that 3rd time he was forgiven for his past. Where am I going with this? Jesus can use us no matter how many times we mess up. He uses our strengths to bring out some amazing things, he gives us the strength to overcome our weaknesses, and he can turn our potential into something amazing!
*Real life Application*
What am I going to do with this now? Here's where we get into my thoughts on the issue. Jesus was able to use Peter's confidence and outspokenness for some great things. He didn't squelch the gifts when Peter blurted out, or said rash things. Instead he encouraged him to use it, in a positive way. Holly gave several examples about her sons and their behaviors, and how it could be used later on in life. That got me thinking about some people in my own life:
* Lilly- Lilly is very confident. When she gets ready in the morning first thing she does is look at me with hands on hips, head tilted, and says, "Look Mommy, I'm cute". Now some people would say I am letting her be cocky, or conceited. I look at it as confidence. I know from my own personal experience in school, and what I see every day as a teacher, that in a few short years Lilly will be confronted with people trying to break that self confidence at every turn. I know what lays ahead, I know the hurt and pain when other children tell you, you are fat, or ugly. I wish I could put her away in a box and shield her from this, but I can't. What I can do is encourage her and let her know how beautiful she is not only to myself and Andrew but to God. * My Students- This year my class is very VERY diverse. I have a group of 20 amazing kids, with 20 different backgrounds, family issues, health issues, social issues, emotional issues...well you get my point. Some of my students have no, to little family support. I have been told I work "well" with these types of students, and I have always taken that as, "Oh great, I get all of the tough kids again". This year I am taking a different approach. After hearing Holly preach, I am going to take a close hard look at each of my students and see their potential. For instance, Student N often lashes out at others, he does not want to do his work, but wants attention which a lot of the time is the reason he does lash out. You are probably thinking (just as I did) what do you do with that? Well why not use this "neediness" as a good thing? Student N wants attention, so why not make him a "helper" in the classroom. His neediness, and attention seeking attitude make him a great helper. When I praise him for the good things he does do, he is the center of attention and he lights up. I am using this weakness, and turning it into a strength for him. Or student NA who can not stay in their seat throughout the day, and often talks to other students. I will use his communication to help others in the class. He will be able to walk around and make sure everyone is on task, and see who needs help and report back to me. He also is the student who communicates to other teachers when I can not. I am using his weakness to build it into a strength.
What issues do you struggle with? God can still use you. Focus on the positive and turn your weaknesses into strengths. Look at those around you, look at those "flaws" in that person and see where they can be used into strengths. God can use anyone no matter their past, he wants to use you too!
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