A Peek Behind the Curtain

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight;

what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”

Matthew 10:27 (NIV)

My life’s mission is to point people to Jesus and the hope only HE offers. Some days I excel at this while others I fail miserably. Still, I continue to try.

The problem with pointing others to Jesus is learning how to do it without drawing attention to ourselves. How do we keep Jesus as the center of attention while we are being the vessels he uses? This is not an easy question to answer.

Several weeks ago I sat with someone who made this comment, “I love reading your blogs (pause)… but sometimes I find myself wishing I were you.” My heart sank. Actually, the thought that immediately popped into my head was, “Girl, you have no idea what my world has been like. If you really knew, you may think differently.”

My mind has gone back to that conversation many times over the past few weeks. I find myself wondering, “How do I become better at pointing people to Jesus as the source of every ounce of strength, hope, love, faith, perseverance, etc. that I have, and let them know he is waiting to offer all of those things to them as well?”

The only answer I can come up with is to give you “a peek behind the curtain” into my world with Jesus.

You see, the above verse from Matthew is the basis for everything I write, speak, and counsel about. The lessons I’ve learned about God have come primarily “in the dark.” They have come through immense pain and brokenness that shook me to my core, leaving me with nothing to cling to except for Jesus.

Sure, some things I’ve learned in calm seasons, but the most profound lessons about God’s love and grace have come to me “in the dark.”

Over and over God has proven his faithfulness, not by always making situations end perfectly, but by never leaving me in them. As he has taught me these lessons “in the dark,” I now share them with you “in the daylight.”

I think, however, there has been an unintentional spin in some of my writing that makes some readers believe every situation I’ve been through with God has ended with a nice big bow on top and that trusting him is always easy. This is so NOT the case.

Were I to recall all the times God has seemingly “not shown up for me” you’d be reading for years. Were I to recall the days I’ve sat at home in tears, angry and frustrated with God over how he’s handling situations, you may find yourself disappointed in me as a leader. Were I to recall the sins I’ve struggled with in the past and still struggle with today, you may stop reading and move on to another blog.

My life is not perfect with Jesus, and never will be this side of glory, but still, he draws near. No one has ever loved me that way – no one.

And so this is the love that I long for you to know is available to you too. A love that wraps you in grace on your best day and envelopes you in mercy on your worst. A love that sees the best in you and says, “Yeah, let’s do great things together.” and a love that sees the worst in you and says, “I forgive you, let’s work on this and move past it.”

This is what life with Jesus really looks like.

So here’s my request of you. The next time you become envious of someone else’s walk with Jesus, stop for a moment and take your eyes off of them and look to God. Look to the one who is at work in their lives and remember, he longs to do the same work in you.

May God bless you this day as you seek HIM.

For Your Reflection…

It is so easy to compare ourselves to others and forget that God is the source of all good things in any life. Instead of focusing on what others have and you don’t, spend some time reflecting on how God is at work in your life.

What is he showing you about himself in this season of life?