Day 14

It's hard to know how much to push. Whether as a parent, a teacher, a wife, a friend, or as myself. I don't really know what this has to do with "stewarding or consuming" but it's what I'm thinking about today. For instance, I have a song I really want to teach my chorus class. I know they'll love it, but most of them can't read music, and it's pretty technical. Do I push if they're not yet ready or wait till next year where they may have more ability? I have a son who is terrified of performing, but is learning that quitting is an easy out. Do I push through this challenge to form his character, or will this particular issue do more harm than good? I have a friend who is obviously struggling with boundaries in relationships. Do I push and tell her my fears for her or do I even understand the full picture and all that is at stake for her? I have a goal for myself that I just cannot seem to achieve for reasons including children, teaching, wife-ing (my word), being a friend, sickness, injury, etc. . . Do I push to the point of achieving my goal or risk physically and mentally falling apart and ignoring important relationships?

The older I get, the harder and easier it is to make decisions. It's easier to make them, I think, but harder to not second-guess my choice. This can be frustrating. Well, at least for a perfectionist type like me. Maybe that's why it's hard for me not to second guess . . . because I want to be perfect. I want to know that the decision I made was the correct one, and I can spend a LOT of energy questioning all the ramifications of making a mistake, often to the point of being paralyzed from any action.

I read this today from a blog a friend of mine subscribes to. It's written in reference to leading a church when you're a sinner. How to continue on "pushing" (my term) when you're often right there in the throes of life with those you're wondering whether you should push. I felt the principles he outlined could be for any Christian who is in a position of leadership (mom, wife, teacher, friend, etc.), not just a pastor or minister, so I thought I'd share. If you want to read more, you'll find it at http://housechurches.posterous.com/107970566.

1. God's power is made perfect through our imperfections. The fact that we are so weak and fragile yet can perform miracles through Christ is a testament to how powerful God really is.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - New Living Translation (NLT)
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

2. If we wait for till we're ready/perfect, we'll never do it. The perfect time to listen to God’s calling isn’t when you’ve got your life in order, it’s right now.

Ecclesiastes 11:4-5 - New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant.
If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.
5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb,[a] so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.

3. You are in good company. Adam, Noah, Moses, David, Peter, and every other person in the Bible (except Jesus) was a sinner with equal guilt to yours. Yet God used each of them to do the impossible. Perfection is not a prerequisite for serving God, it’s actually an inhibitor. As soon as you think you are perfect and an inspiring light for others to follow, it’s time for a reality check.

4. Don't listen to Satan's perverse lies; he wants to immobilize you with feelings of inadequacy. You are never going to be sin-free in this life time, but Christ has already forgiven you for all your sins and you need not dwell on them or let them keep you from doing God's will in the present!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess this post ended up being about whether I steward dependence on God to lead my actions well, or whether I squander and exhaust the Holy Spirit's leading in my life when facing important decisions. I'm glad God doesn't demand perfection, and I'm glad that He left us verses like this to encourage us.

James 1:2-8 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.