Things have changed so much in my life and in my ministry these past few years. I am confident that the root of this changed was birthed in much prayer and devotion. Let’s say that this root systems dates back far beyond the day my life “fell apart”. It all began with “The Sap” let me explain…
Remember the summer of the teachings about “abiding in Me as I abide in you and I am the vine and ye are the branches”…if you’re abiding then whatever sap your feeling is a direct result of what you’re getting from the vine. I also like to call that the “Summer of Love”. I can’t remember a time when more sermons where preached about the Love and Favor of God. During this time I earnestly sought after God because so many of the questions my heart had asked where being answered and truth was being revealed to me. And from that point to this my life has forever been changed.
By nature or by God given sap I tend to be a giver…I see a need and I want to give to the cause and remedy the hurts and strain of people’s lives. However within this gift I had a self righteous, judgmental attitude. I lacked compassion…funny to be able to give so freely but not have compassion if you asked me. Thankfully the Lord showed compassion on me and through many lessons taught me how to take this gift He gave me and administer it appropriately.
For many years I struggled with my identity. I knew I was a child of God and that He was the Author and Finisher of my faith. But I did not know who I was within the body. My natural sap wants to reach outside the church walls in ministry and touch the lives of the community around me. But for many years my ministry was focused within the walls of my fellowship. Within the depths of me was a constant sense of un-fulfillment. Working within the walls of my fellowship I would get on these bandwagons of wanting to rally the troops so to speak and donate our time, money or talent to the less fortunate. But I would retreat in defeat when someone didn’t embrace the burden to the degree in which it was burning in me. So I would leave my gift lying dormant and unused collecting dust on a shelf until I pulled it out once a year to give coats out in the winter.
I was blessed to be a part of an impacting youth retreat filled with the Word of God and clarification on what the true Fruits of the Spirit are. There was such an anointing of truth and revelation packed into that weekend. I was challenged…challenged to break out of my shell and take responsibility for what God was revealing to me. What it meant to be a Christian. Little did I know that this foundation of faith would keep me tethered for the next most difficult two years of my adult life. I pose the question “What does it mean to be a Christian?”
To be Christ-like I need to love unconditionally. “Love your enemies, blessed them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. That ye may be children of your father which is in heaven”. To be Christ-like I need to minister to the poor, the broken, and the hurting. “when you did it for the least of them you did it unto Me”. Because of the revelation of The Sap which resides in me I am much more driven with clearer vision and because of life change that kicked me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to find who I am. I am moving forward into becoming…
I am a Child of God who is seeking to become more and more like my Father.
