Brave ~Five Minute Friday~

For God has not given us spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a

sound mind. ~2 Timothy 1:7

I hear this verse often in Christian circles. I quote it myself for encouragement and reminders that our God is big and we shall not fear. What I hadn't realized is the context of this particular verse. Do you know what the one directly preceding it says:

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you

through the laying on of hands. ~2 Timothy 1:6

Paul  is speaking to Timothy about spiritual gifts! And this is something I'm still thinking on. Here's a confession- ever since posting my thoughts yesterday about gifts, I've been considering going back and deleting that last part- the one that says 'God has given me a gift to teach others with His Word.'

Why is it so hard to confess a gift to others? Why do we acknowledge the gift and then turn around and deny the gift? Do we think accepting and sharing and using the things God purposefully gives us is some sort of prideful act? Why do we think that way?

When I give my children and gift and they actually use and share it- do I conclude they are being prideful and selfish? Sometimes, yes. And that must be our problem.

We are sinful people who have issues with accepting that what God gives us is a gift of grace and not something we deserve or have earned. This includes our spiritual gifts. I'm pretty sure He even gives us gifts we're not capable of using. Gifts we must stir up. Gifts that require His hand in helping us build.

I have a suspicion that God gave Aaron, Moses' bother, a gift of leadership not because he earned or deserved it, but because God chose Aaron. Simple as that. I also wonder if He gave Aaron and artistic gift, which was in turn used against God and for the worshiping of an idol.

But since God's gifts are simply God's grace given to His unique created people, there can be no room for pride or self exaltation.  And the fears we may have are that of becoming boastful, discovering we were wrong about our gift and embarrassing ourselves,  or being rejected by others as we step out in faith believing God in His gift. Because ultimately it really is His gift meant to be used for His body and His glory.

It takes a brave woman to trust God and others with your precious gift.

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Lisa-Jo offers the challenge week after week:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Brave…

(I always edit. I'm a terrible typer. Maybe a little prideful too.)

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Perfection & Holy Intention

Speech Meet. These two simple words stir many emotions in me as a mom.

Every year the school my kids attend involve their students in a Speech Meet. Each child is given a poem, or portion of scripture to memorize. When the big day rolls around, the students take turns standing before a group of parents and judges presenting their speech with hopes of moving on to the actual Speech Meet, which consists of numerous kids from various schools.

Last year my son (who was a 4^th grader) was given the cutest, funniest poem about a stomach ache. He practiced, rehearsed, and worked hard to prepare for the big day. When that day came, let me tell you, I WAS SO NERVOUS FOR HIM! I’m definitely more of an introvert, and my son tends to follow in my footsteps when it comes to speaking in large groups.

I took my seat and watched as student after student bravely stood before us. You can always tell which children are comfortable facing a crowd and which are not. Most did a wonderful job; so many proud parents that day. However, when it came to my son, things didn’t go so well. You see, when you have a last name like Wafer, you are placed in the back of the line. This doesn’t work out so well for the child who has a fear of public speaking because they get to sit there far too long, watching in horror as friends attempt what seems impossible. Your mind dwells on the fear of the unknown, and soon you become overwhelmed.

This is what happened to my son. Even as I type, my stomach is in knots and I feel sick. I wanted to take his place so desperately. But I couldn’t. When his turn came he was overtaken with fear to the point of sobbing tears. He was so upset that he was unable to go before the crowd and I was devastated. So devastated in fact, I could do nothing but remain in my chair praying for him. Thankfully another teacher (this year’s 5^th grade teacher) gently talked with him, encouraged him, and prayed with him.

I’m not sure how things would have played out had it not been for her, but a couple speeches later, my brave son got in front of that crowd and conquered one of his greatest fears. He looked so handsome in his button up shirt and tie. He recited that poem perfectly, through sob after sob. Many would say it was a complete failure, but I saw absolute success. I saw a 9 year old boy so afraid of the unknown and terrified to the point of defeat set aside that fear long enough to do the impossible. And I was so proud of him!

Joseph and his 5th grade teacher (LOVE HER!)

So here we are again. Speech Meet is in two weeks and I am terrified! I don’t think I can endure that scene again. This mama’s heart can’t take it! However, I know God uses the most difficult moments in our lives to make us stronger in Him, and I want nothing less than God’s strength for my son. His speech will not be perfect, and he probably won’t move on to the Big Meet this year either. But through it all, God is and will continue teaching my son, growing my son, and shaping my son into the man He desires him to be. And He will continue allowing my heart to be torn in two, and then mended back together as I watch my children encounter hard times, as I watch my Lord, my children’s Lord, pick them back up time and time again.

God looks not for perfection, but holy intention and I pray my children are intentional about their God, leaning not on a perfection of themselves that cannot be found, but on the excellence which is found only in Christ.

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The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

As the kids and I explored the book of Proverbs this past week, we couldn’t ignore the repetitious cries to “Get wisdom! Get understanding!” (Prov 4:5,7). In the first several chapters, Solomon, son of King David, repeats it over and over again; to the point of frustration. We voiced several times, “All right already, I think we get the point!” However, as I have come to learn in the past, if the scriptures repeat, and repeat, and repeat, it must be because we are NOT getting the point.  So, I’ve spent some time mulling over this thing called wisdom.

Proverbs 9:10 tells us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” What better place to start than the beginning.  What is the fear of the Lord? And doesn’t 2 Timothy 1:7 tell us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love of and a sound mind? How then are we to fear the Lord? Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance offers some insight into this confusion, informing us that the fear of the Lord speaks of reverence, exceedingly and dreadful.*

Compare that to the definition offered regarding the spirit of fear which is described as timid, faithless fear.* These explanations draw very contrasting pictures of fear. A reverencing fear of God is distinctly different than the timid, faithless fear many of us have experienced; a fear that leaves us feeling helpless and hopeless.  The Godly fear of the Lord brings with it power, love, and a sound mind that faithless fear robs us of. This godly fear also brings with it wisdom.

James (the book, not my husband J) tells us that there is a wisdom that is from above and a wisdom that does not descend from above. Funny, when you consider wisdom, don’t you generally relate it to knowledge, insight, intelligence, perception, or good judgment? Isn’t wisdom always a good thing? Not according to James who describes wisdom as fitting into one of two categories: earthly, sensual, and demonic or pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (Jas 3:15-17). If you are anything like me, you read this and think, “Surely I’ve never offered or received wisdom that does not descend from above. Surely I’ve had nothing to do with demonic wisdom!”

Then I am reminded of poor Peter. Yes, Peter, the one we remember as opening his big mouth and being silenced by God Himself (Lk 9:33-35). The same Peter we are told rejected his Lord three times after boldly proclaiming “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matt 26:35). Yes, poor Peter. No doubt there were times he must have wanted nothing less than to crawl into a hole and disappear. Well, Matthew 16:21-23 had to be one of those times! After hearing Jesus tell of his coming crucifixion, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Jesus replied “Get behind Me, Satan!” Wow! That had to hurt. But, we argue, Peter only had Jesus’ best interest in mind. No, Peter had faithless fear, failing to trust Jesus’ words that He would be raised the third day. Jesus’ best interest was centered on doing His Father’s will, showing His love for sinful mankind, and going to the cross to save us from that sin. Anything contrary to that was and is in the interest of Satan.

If this same Peter, who repeatedly testified boldly of Christ, lead three thousand to the Lord in one day (Acts 2:14-41), healed a lame man (Acts 3:1-9), and miraculously escaped from prison (Acts 12), was capable of offering wisdom that does not descend from above, capable of offering demonic wisdom, are we not more so? Thankfully, we can go again to the book of James for some encouragement: if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (1:5).

The message to me in all of this: Fear God, be about His interest, be steadfastly asking Him for wisdom that comes only from above, and always keep in mind that I am not above receiving and giving demonic wisdom.

Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him

-Ephesians 1:15-17

* Strong, James H. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House Company, 1989. Print. – (Hebrew #3374, Greek #1167 )