Monday, February 23, 2009

Who Do You Want to Be?

Today, I have decided to change directions and write about what I see. To write from the heart, openly and honestly.

My journey in adulthood has been a road of fighting my way out of dysfunction. I believe if we were all honest with one another and even ourselves, the truth would be that we all come from dysfunction. I say this because; if we aren't everything God intended us to be then we are inherently dysfunctional. It came with the fall. We live in a sin nature that was not what we were created for.

We were created to be dependent but our sin nature pulls at us to be independent. In all this, we have become dysfunctional people in a dysfunctional world. The degree to which our lives become broken are up to the family and surroundings we lived in. So since we are all broken, guess what, we are all dysfunctional.

What I have found is that the way out of dysfunction is through knowing God and becoming more like Christ. In other words, when I began to learn who God was and who He intended me to be, the dysfunction began to fall away. Some with no effort of my own, other parts with much effort and prayer.

Many people, as I did, go through horrible circumstances in this life. Some things I have seen and heard about that are done to people are unthinkable. These things cause us to decide that God is not trust worthy. We get a picture of God that is distorted and skewed. So of course He isn't trust worthy to us. That is why it is vital to spend as much time as possible getting to know who God really is. As we do this, He begins to straighten out our warped perceptions and fill us with the truth.

It has not been an easy journey for me, nor is it over. I have battled many things in my life but each time, God has been there holding me through it. We want it to be easy. Its not. We want to be comfortable and this nation has let us believe that we can. I am sorry, I would rather take everyone’s pain away and tell you all that the road to restoration is an easy one but it is not. It takes bravery and courage. It takes trust in God when you think you just have none left. It takes a heart that wants it. So if you don't have that heart, you better start praying for it.

We were chosen by the creator of this earth to be His people, His bride. But it comes with a price. We don't get to be laid back and comfortable. Now more than ever. If we are going to combat the world of sin and dysfunction around us, we must become stronger. We must begin to step out, even in fear, and walk on the water as Peter did.

Before Christ left this world, He gave a commission to the disciples. Matthew 28:19, go therefore and make disciples of all nations... It was more than a commission, it was a command. And that command applies to us also.

We are to be a miraculous light in a dark world for others to see. How can we be this if we do not really believe that God has any power? How can we show others the way to Christ if we are too comfortable in our own lives.

I don't know about you but I want to walk on water! I want to obey when God calls and see His miraculous hand at work. I want to conquer my fears, overcome my unbelief and be who He called me to be.

Do you?

4 comments:

Josh M. said...

Great post, Sherri! While everyone is dysfunctional to a degree, I believe some of us have to work through way more baggage from the past than others. In the end, the only question that matters is: "Who does God want me to be?" - or better yet: "Who am I already by the grace of God and what's holding me back to fully say Yes to that?"

Jason The Bald Guy said...

awesome post! it is exciting to know that you are just as determined to take the kingdom of heaven by force!


"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

keep on seeking!

blessings

jasonthebaldguy

Anonymous said...

Hi Sherri! The heartbeat within this post is loud and clear and beautifully put together - You write,"... What I have found is that the way out of dysfunction is through knowing God and becoming more like Christ...." which I think says it all and is very true. May we always keep each other, as well as the world in our prayers. God bless you!
Hugs,
Judi

wayfarerjon said...

Great post - I identify with it so much. As for your last paragraph my answer is yes, yes, yes!