GOD CALLING

By:  A. Johnson

"Mom, you're different." Kayla sat on the edge of her bed carefully arranging her stuffed animals as she prepared to snuggle into her blankets for the night. 

Smiling, I reached out and tucked a strand of her honey colored hair behind her ear, "Sweetie, what do you mean I'm different, different how?"

She paused thoughtfully and then surprised me by throwing her arms around my neck and whispered in her 8-year-old voice, "Mom, you're still the same Mom I've always had . . . you're just different. But, it's okay; you're still the best Mom ever." Kissing my cheek as she released my neck, sinking into her pillows she motioned for me to finish tucking her in.

As I turned out her light, her words echoed in my mind. I knew I was different, definitely. God had been working on my heart for a long time. I liked who I was becoming with my new outlook and felt excitement about where God was leading. Walking through the rest of the house locking doors and closing blinds I reflected on how God was moving in me. New truths about my values, and my passion had pointed me to a new way of being that ushered in a fresh feeling of freedom and contentment.

What are your values?

God created each of us with our own God-given design. These values are the foundation upon which we build our lives. Things like, living with integrity, honesty, respect and loyalty are the basis of a value system that serves to empower us to steward our lives well. Recognizing the values He instills within us allows us to live with clarity and purpose. Knowing our values gives us the ability to partner with the promise of Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." By trusting in this promise and standing firmly upon our values, we can release ourselves from the world's expectations of being someone we are not and instead believe the truth of who we are in Christ.

What is your passion?

Discovering our passion begins with God and it's through this relationship that we can become a person of influence. Operating in our passion makes everything bright, meaningful and filled with purpose. Passion is what gives us the energy to dream the impossible, believing it is possible. My passion is to encourage others to be who God intended, helping others to fulfill their potential for greatness. This passion was placed in my heart by God, just like your passion is waiting to be unlocked. Ask yourself, "Who is God calling me to serve?" And then ask God to break through the lie that says you can't do it and instead embrace the truth of Philippians 4:13 that states so clearly that "We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength."

A new way of being...

It takes courage to admit when we aren't content and it feels risky to appeal to God for a new way of being. At the beginning of my own transformation I was anything but happy and desperately wanted change. I was counseled, coached, mentored and studied the word searching for the truth of who I was and who God intended me to be. I discovered that Christ calls each of us to seek Him because He wants to be our new way of being. Scripture says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun."

Now, the words "You're different Mom," are words that fill me with the affirming truth of being in a transformational relationship with Jesus. The old has gone, the new has come. Will you let Him transform you? |