When Jesus Walks Into a Room

We had gathered into a classroom to talk about the religion sphere of society. Honestly, I didn’t really want to be in there. I was tired and ready to retreat. The speaker encouraged us to gather in small groups and share our thoughts on what had been presented earlier. I didn’t want to share. I just wanted to listen. My introverted personality preferred to withdraw into my inner world and just be a spectator instead of a participant. Richard wasn’t thrilled  because he wanted me to join in and be part of the discussion. It was flattering how he felt I could add some insight to their group dialogue, but if truth be told I really didn’t care about the present dilemma of how to reach people for Jesus; I just wanted coffee. Feeling condemned and ashamed of my lack of interest, I started playing the tapes in my head of my worthlessness.

As I sat in the back of the room not really enjoying my coffee after all and feeling quite dejected, we were told to prepare for another speaker. He entered quietly from the back of the room and something immediately grabbed my heart and stirred me deep within. What was happening to me? I started trembling a bit and tears trickled down my cheeks as this man walked to the front of the room. In that moment Jesus had my attention. It’s as if He walked into the room and pulled a chair right up next to me. As this man spoke of God’s Kingdom and love, as he reminded us all who we are in Christ Jesus, I could feel my Lord’s tender words of love being poured into my soul. Jesus wanted all of me. Not part of me but ALL of me. The tears flowed freely now. It’s like no one else was in the room ~ Just me and Jesus. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, I chose you. I created you in your mother’s womb. I loved you so much, I stamped you with My very image. I chose YOU, Amy, to be My temple, and I filled you with all you’d ever need in this lifetime. Sealed you with My very Spirit and set you apart to be the salt and light of the earth. Because I am in you, YOU SHINE, and GOD IS glorified. Give me all. ALL. Don’t hold back Amy; simply be who you were made to be ~ MINE. Stop striving. Stop comparing. Stop believing lies. Just let go and BE.

The BE-Attitudes ~ It’s Who I AM:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth. . . . You are the light of the world.  (Matthew 5:3-14a NIV)

For many years, I’ve looked at this section of scripture as something to reach for in my Christian journey. If I tried really hard to be merciful, then I would be shown mercy. If I worked up enough hunger for righteousness, then I would be filled. If I made every effort to live at peace with others, then I would be called a child of God. Yet this isn’t what this passage says at all. God never said do these things to be my child. That’s not why He gathered the disciples that day. He simply wanted to give them a picture of the Kingdom.

Don’t do to be!

As a child of God this is who I am:

The Salt of the Earth

The Light of the World

As His daughter and filled with His Spirit this is who I was created to be:

Poor in spirit

Mournful

Meek

Hungry and Thirsty

Merciful

Pure in Heart

Peacemaker

Persecuted / Insulted / Falsely Accused YET Joyful

This isn’t a list to check off each and every day in order to measure my Christianity. It simply is what BEING a follower of Jesus IS. This is who I was destined to be before the foundations of the earth were laid.  It is who I am because Jesus abides in Me and I in Him.

I’m tired of playing the tapes that speak of worthlessness and condemnation. I stood to my feet that afternoon and told Jesus He could have ALL of me. Consume and use me, Lord, and help me just be who You created me to be. Nothing more. Nothing less. ALL for Your glory. It was a moment at the conference this past week I will never forget.

Thanks to all who made it possible for Richard and I to attend YWAM Together 2016. Our notebooks are full of good stuff, our hearts are overflowing with love and possibilities, and our vision is clearer than ever before. We want people across America ~ men and women, young and old ~ encountering the all-consuming love of Jesus and discovering like never before who they were made to BE.

YOU are loved!

Amy

To communicate and partner with us check out our partnering page.

 

PS. The song “When You Walk into the Room” by Bryan and Katie Torwalt came to mind shortly after my classroom experience. Thought it might encourage someone out there today.