This morning I sat expectant. I sat in a church I had never been to in Oshkosh Wisconsin, next to a squad mate near and dear to my heart, ready for the Lord to blow my mind. I had high hopes for the pastor that he would blow my mind with poetic words and intricate images giving me a deeper understanding of the Father. And being honest it didn’t happen and I am insanely thankful.
I greatly value conversation and the simplistic moments the Lord surprises us with. This morning I was reminded of this. The pastor got on stage and greeted us as if we were his best friends. He was warm and kind with his tone and unafraid to make a mistake. He wasn’t up there to preach a sermon, He was sharing stories with us. He was telling us about what He’s learned over his years of knowing the Lord and doing it with the Father at the center. He used verbiage that was easy to understand and honest experiences. He didn’t hold back to save face. I felt like I had been let into a page of this man’s journal: it was personal and raw, not trying to impress others. And on top of it all, the topic he focused on was living missionally. After returning from Gap Year I feel a bit dazed on how to do this in daily life here at home. The Father knew exactly what I needed this morning, and placed me in the right spot to hear it: in a church I had never been to in Oshkosh Wisconsin, next to a squad mate near and dear to my heart. And of course, He blew my mind.
One of my favorite points the pastor shared was a quote by James Stephens, an Irish poet.
“Curiosity will conquer fear more than bravery will.”
When we are talking with our friends who don’t follow Christ, going in with a mission to convert them can be our downfall. Having a curious heart ready to learn turns our eyes off of ourselves and onto our friend. Ask questions about their life. Ask about their family. Ask with the intentions of learning more about them, not to inform them of your own beliefs. Curiosity, when we are directed by the Lord, brings us to the sweetest of places. The idea of bringing others with me to these sweet places gets me even more excited for heaven – what a joyous celebration it will be.
This morning was a great reminder that I don’t need to go at life trying to impress others with my own abilities. We are children of the Creator, the King, the One True God. Letting Him guide the conversation is best, especially when our heart is expectant.
Here’s some of my favorite songs right now!
“Mt. Zion” by Cageless Birds
“Like Gold” by Vance Joy
“The Wick” by Housefires
I wish this blog platform let us inser emojis- this box would be full of hearts! Keep listening and keep leaning in to hear the father’s heart!!
Love this! You have a gift with words. Thank you! I want to grow in curiosity and asking good questions – questions which make people feel seen and understood and valued.
Hahah, you are SO sweet Miss Diane! Thank you so much!!
Thank you so much, Mrs. Hyde! This is something I’d like to grow in as well. Something I see others around me thriving in and am really inspired to push myself!
Oh my gosh Sweetie, love love love this! Especially your closing couple of sentences… what great words! Thank you for continuing to share your heart!
I love you and learn so much from you!
xoxoxox
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, MUM!!! you rock my world by simply being you. thank you for being my best friend.
xoxoxo