Oh My Goodness! Those barbed questions, presumptions and assumptions!

“Ummm Mary? Aren’t you a public speaker? A minister? A teacher? A singer?”

I warily answer, “Yes.”

Then, the next set of questions become a quandary or look of perplexity of sorts for some.

Several have asked me, “Well, why aren’t you doing all of that all the time or full time? Why be a Pastoral Counselor and spend soooooo much time counseling abused women, professionals in job conflict situations, church or cult abuses or troubled marriages?

It has GOT to be hard and emotionally exhausting! What made you change your course? What qualifies YOU to do that?”

( I’ve done it for a looooong time.)

Actually…. Most of these are fair questions! No malice intended (for the most part), and those who were dismissive regarding the skills I may or may not have (according to their understanding), most likely don’t know what it actually takes to be a Pastoral Counselor, trained from a biblical perspective, to help restore broken homes, lives and hearts, through the power of the grace and love of Christ, flowing in counseling, with gifts and at times, using clinical applications of God’s Holy Spirit flowing right along with you.

So! Whether I am teaching, traveling, singing, writing, grocery shopping, sitting in a coffee shop or meeting with those who oftentimes come limping into our offices with shattered hearts held out in a million pieces,

I am called….

…. To help the broken and weary.

Imperfect and still growing myself, God the Father chooses to use whatever He has brought me through, (whether it’s past educational pursuits, bible college, Crisis Response Training, life experiences, spiritual gifting or, just a willing heart to help someone else find hope, help, healing and most of all, a “home” in Christ.)

The spirit of the LORD is upon me, because the LORD has chosen me. He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners. (That’s biblical! ~ Isaiah 61:1).

Friends… God wastes nothing from the life that you’ve experienced this far.

He wants all of us to be “on” and “in” the path of restoration from painful and broken-hearted sorrows, yielding in complete honesty when we grapple with our own willfulness, rebel hearts, and defiance, when we wander away from His wishes and instead, embrace bitterness, codependency, indifference or blame shifting.

HE takes these fragments into His hands and creates in each of us, a clean heart… CLEAN.

HE renews the correct spiritual response to life when our hearts are made whole again. Why?

So that we can offer His help to those who are hungry for safety, hungry for understanding, those who need care in older age and those who are grossly abused.

You… and I….

…WE are called.

But ignoring the responsibility to answer that call in the light of being merciful, intentionally present in the moment when with people, and mindful of those we serve, care for, or have relationships with, basically says that we will answer that call from God on our own terms and as long as it’s convenient to the way that we have shaped our way of living.

This is a classic picture of the person needing control over their every plan and environment.

Relationships take a backseat here because being in control and then asking God to bless it neutralizes vulnerability and intimacy among those around you.

When we yield, (that means give the right of way to God’s involvement in everything), EVERYTHING we do, say, think, study, buy, eat and so on, we become the light in a mean and harsh world, because we are filled with that light by relationship with THE light of the World.

And in Him there is no shifting or shadow of doubt.

Yes… you and I.

We are Called.

Let’s Respond to that Call with,

“Here I am Lord! I say yes to your voice. Show me your path, teach me your way. Lead me… in the way of the everlasting truth.”

 

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You!

” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

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