The Wait

When I made the decision to become a Christian....wait a minute, let me rephrase that. As God was dragging me to Christianity and I was trying to say "no", of course we all know that I wasn't going to win the battle between me and God, and soon came to realized that I needed God and finally said "Lord, You are my saviour and the Lord of my life", I did not think that this walk would be difficult. Whenever I am going through trials and tribulations, I try to remind myself that God is in control and things will work out. But there are times when I do get discouraged and don't want to hear anything positive. I hate when I am in that state. I've been going through some tough times (as we all do) and have grown tired during the wait. I had family and friends constantly encouraging me, praying with me, and I also put on a facade so others wouldn't know what I was going through. Then I got to a point where I felt like if I was to try to reach up, I would still be scraping the bottom. But the interesting part was, I could see the sun shining from afar.....I just didn't want to wait. I wanted immediate satisfaction. Thank God for friends/family that don't give up on you. A friend of mine reminded me of what Jesus went through. The promise of suffering is not an easy pill to swallow, but there are things that come along with that. Jesus suffered so that a measly, wretched, sinful, creature as myself, could live eternally with Him. He loves us so much that he suffered being lied on, talked about, beaten, hung, spit on, tortured, (need I go on) so that we can have everlasting life in heaven with Him. So, after thinking about His wait from birth to crucifixion/death to being raised from the dead, surely I can get through the "waiting" part. I also have to understand that at the end of the waiting period, the end result may not be what I want it to be but it's all working out for His perfect Will.
So while you're waiting, continue to keep your eye on the Lord. It will get tough, if you feel like crying..cry. Cry out to the Lord. Allow the encouragement from friends and family to strengthen you, because it's only God using them to remind you that He is there.

This song is very encouraging during those waiting periods. Keep on believing.

While You Wait Lyrics

Joe Pace & The Colorado Mass Choir

Verse 1:
While you wait,
you might have to stand in the rain.
While you wait,
there may be some heartache and pain.

Chorus 1:
While you're watiting for your promises
to be fulfilled in your life,
remember God is not late,
so just praise Him while you wait, wait.

Verse 2:
While you wait,
your friends may not stay by your side.
While you wait,
your eyes may ache from the tears you've cried.

Chorus 1

Bridge:
Weeping may endure for a night,
but joy comes with the morning light.
God's never late,
so praise Him while you wait,
while you wait.

Verse 4:
While you wait,
you can hold your head up high.
While you wait,
know that very soon you will fly.

Chorus 2:
While your waiting for your promises
to be fulfilled in your life,
remember God's never late,
so just praise Him while;
God's never late,
so just praise Him while;
God's never late,
so just praise Him while you wait,
wait, wait.

Ending:
While you wait,
keep on believin',
keep on believin.

Acceptance vs Rejection

In life we will face many things and cross many paths. Two of which are acceptance and rejection. There will be times when we apply for certain things (college, jobs, positions) and the response will either be, you have been accepted for____ or sorry but at this time we're not able to offer you_____. How we respond to either answer really displays the full character of who we are. When some people are accepted into position, they become arrogant and have a high and mighty attitude. When some are rejected, they become angry, bitter, and sometimes jealous. Is that how we should act? I think not.
Let me take it further. In the Christian walk, we were called to be God's child. We didn't have to submit a resume, sit down for an interview, or ask 3 people if they would mind being a reference. All we had to do was accept His invitation. Now that we're in, it's time to work. In this walk we are called to work in certain areas and to hold different positions. God has blessed us with talents and gifts to use for His glory, not ours. Everyone is not called for leadership and that is something that we must accept. There are many times when we feel that since God has blessed us with a certain talent or gift that we ought to work or be in a certain position. Not necessarily. For instance, God may have given you the talent to sing. Well just because you can sing doesn't mean He wants you to lead the choir. Maybe He wants you in the choir making a joyful noise along with His other children. Maybe God has blessed you to teach. Well you feel that you should teach the young adults and God is saying, "NO, I want you to teach the children" (or maybe "I want you to teach your children). There are times when God wants you to actually do work in your own home with your family rather than in other places (ie church, school, job, etc). God doesn't give us talents and gifts just to use outside the home, use them in your home. Teach your wife, husband, children, cousins, etc the Word of God. Sing songs of praise while you're cooking dinner. Shout for Joy when you walk in your front door (you have a door to walk into). Turn off the TV and pray just because it's 7pm. Just because a door doesn't open up when and where we want it doesn't mean that we are being rejected. God isn't rejecting you, He is just telling you that he has something else that He wants you to do.
There are times when certain individuals are in a position where they feel is best and they do not use it for His glory. In 3rd John 1:9-10, Diotrephes had a leadership position and he was also very arrogant. He used his position for himself and not for the Lord. When we go into positions that "we" feel that is best for us (not going where God wants us), we could cause trouble and hinder others from doing the work or receiving a Word from the Lord. When God calls us, we must humble ourselves. We must understand that we are merely instruments that are being used for His purpose. Let God use you! Allow Him to lead and place you where He wants you. All that we do, we must work together to serve one purpose....God.
Be Blessed!

Racial Ignorance

I was reading a blog by Sister Teri Brooks " Racist or just "comfortable"? Racial Division in the church" and it sparked something inside me. People who know me know that race is a very sensitive issue with me. I DON'T LIKE IT! I really hate when race is an excuse for ignorance or lack of acceptance. Now let me say this, I know that discrimination exists and I am not naive to think that it's going to end anytime soon. My point for this blog is again, I hate it when race is used as an excuse.
My parents raised me with the understanding that I could be whatever I wanted and that I could do whatever I wanted as long as I put my mind to it. Growing up, I heard comments and was called certain names based on race (yellow, oreo, light bright...just to name a few). Most of it was from African American/Black people (however one wants to be addressed.....that is a whole different issue in itself). I didn't let that make or break me. I kept it moving.
In early adulthood I noticed how some of the things I dealt with as a kid and teenager still continued and it began to irritate me. One of the biggest things that irritate me the most is when people say "you're acting white" or "you're acting black". Can someone PLEASE define acting white/black? How come no one ever acts Asian, Hispanic, Cuban, etc. It's either black or white and then people will always make it look like acting "black" is a negative thing. So, because I speak proper English, don't act like I'm from the hood (I'm NOT), or use ghetto slang every other word, I'm acting "white"? That right there will start an argument with me, even if you are my friend or family member. Again, the sad part about it is that it's coming from African Americans/Blacks. At times like this, I would immediately challenge someone to define black and white and then tell me how I should or should not act. That is when I would get the typical response, "oh you know I was just playing" or "you know what I meant". I would tell them that I didn't understand and would like for them to explain themselves and that is when the argument would start and I would win (sorry...pride moment....forgive me) because they couldn't justify what they were saying. Then people like to go further and say "the man is holding me down". Really? Most people who use that excuse either dropped out of school, got in trouble for doing something wrong and stupid, or just being lazy (just to name a few). Race is not an excuse for failure!!
What's even more crazy is that it exist in the church (referring back to the article written by Sister Brooks) a place where we should unite for one purpose, God. People, we are all going to be together one day praising God for who He is (that is if you're saved). If God cared so much about our race then why are there so many races? If it were meant for us to be the same, then God would have made us that way. I am so glad that He didn't. I am glad that we are all different. That's the spice of life. Because we are different, we can learn from one another. Being different allows ways for us to love each other more, give, receive, show kindness, etc. We learn all these things to be more like Him.....Christ.
Don't let race be a factor of ignorance but use it to accept who you are. Embrace your heritage, love who you are and love others just because........Christ did it for us.

Bless You!

"Bless You" is the most common response whenever someone sneezes. Many of us learned that response as children. Other responses are "excuse me", "thank you", and "you're welcome". We were told to do that so much that it became a habit and a routine in our lives. At what point in your life did you understand what you were saying and actually meant it? Even to this day, do we actually say bless you and mean it or are we still stuck in the routine of being respectful and courteous? Let's take this a step further and look at our relationship with God. Is your relationship with God based on a routine that you were taught as a child or is it something that you have taken the time to understand on your own? As children, some of were taught the standard children's prayer "now I lay me down to sleep, I pray to Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray to Lord my soul to take. AMEN." Some were taught the extended version... God Bless...momma, daddy, grandma, grandpa and every relative, animal, cars, truck that you came across. How many of us are still praying a prayer that was taught to us when we were younger?
When things become habit/routine, you are completely missing the meaning or purpose it has on your life. Christianity should not be a routine in our lives. It should be our lives. As we are walking in this Christian life, we should be learning new things. Especially how messed up we are and how God really don't need us for anything, His Grace and  Mercy. We should strive to be more like Him; loving, kind, gentle, humble, just to name a few. We shouldn't be accepting of things that are not of God but showing others what it's like to be His child. That is something that can't be a routine. Think of a politician (yeah I know....but hear me out), does a politician give up? NO, they keep pushing until they get to that highest position. We should keep pushing until we reach our highest position....being in the presence of the Lord.
Salvation should not be taken for granted. The gift of salvation is the most precious gift that we can ever receive. Don't stop once you receive it. Keep working, living, loving, sharing, and GROWING. Don't get stuck in a routine. If you find yourself there, pray to the Lord to lead you. Follow Him. Trust, He will not let you stray.