Gifted for Leadership

Comments

I agree....recently God has been really speaking to me that it's my heart, not my accomplishments, that are most important. When I honestly examined my motives behind my "noble ambitions" (wanting to be a good witness, wanting to be influential and significant) I could see that I wasn't operating out of love for God and others, but out of a need to prove I had "met the mark" and been "good enough". An unwittingly I'd become less loving, less compassionate, and less inclined to listen to the voice of God. So now when I feel the need, the drive, to "succeed", I check my heart and ask God to remind me and secure me in the knowledge that I am already His, and already a treasured princess. And then I can go forth and serve in love.

Posted By: Matsushima | September 12, 2009 9:50 PM

WOW! While we're all busy de-cluttering our home, office space, etc., how wonderful of you to share this inspirational message of "de-cluttering" our motivations for our good works.
Evaluating our motives and being completely honest with ourselves requires courage because we might discover as you did that some of our successes are only "feeding the needy areas of [our] hear." Thanks for sharing! I'm off to de-clutter :)

Posted By: Tiffany Temple | September 13, 2009 1:32 AM

Great post, Melinda. This fall, I've cut back on my travel and speaking, mostly to be with my children, who are 13 and 15. I asked that question: is it right at this time? And felt the answer was no. I need to be with my kids as much as possible, and I needed to focus on my private relationship with God, rather than always being in public. I blogged about this today at www.keriwyattkent.com/soul/

Posted By: Keri Wyatt Kent | September 14, 2009 8:18 AM

God richily bless you for this awareness. We sometimes, forget to check our motives behind everything we do. We also forget that we are here on earth to glorify the name of God in everything we do because selfishness and selfglory. This message has taken away a veil from my way of doing things. I particularly received it as a rhema. Thinks you Sister Melinda.

Posted By: Mercy | September 15, 2009 5:02 AM

God richily bless you for this awareness. We sometimes, forget to check our motives behind everything we do. We also forget that we are here on earth to glorify the name of God in everything we do because selfishness and selfglory. This message has taken away a veil from my way of doing and seeing things. I particularly received it as a rhema. Thank you Sister Melinda.

(correct version)

Posted By: Mercy Ndubuisi | September 15, 2009 5:06 AM

This truly fits what is happening in my life right now. I am recently retired and finding my new agenda. I go to the Lord daily for direction in what to do next. I pray about it, and I try not to overbook, because it takes away. My calling is clearer when my mind is de-cluttered. This was good. I will remind myself to... "check my heart and ask God to remind me and secure me in the knowledge that I am already His, and already a treasured princess. And then I can go forth and serve in love". That is so good. Thank you.

Posted By: Lori | September 15, 2009 10:42 AM

It is fairly certain that most of us are into this quagmire of trying to find the balance in our lives that feels correct. The Lord and I have been discussing this for several years. I wonder if He feels that I am a slow learner? Recently we went through this yet again. I can see that what He wants is "me," not what I do. Lots of men are not that way, so it is difficult to imagine any relationship that isn't expecting performance, as such. The performance He expects is that which He does through us and our duty is to REST, to stand, and to enjoy and report what He does.

I have never seen poetry posted here but I wish to share something I wrote in 2004. As I said, I must be a slow learner.

My Motive?

I brought my righteous works
to God to hear Him say
how good I am
and what He said was, “No,
I cannot accept them.”
“What?” I said, “I have worked
so hard, long and grueling hours
in Your Vineyard, I’ve done
good and mighty things,
and You refuse what I bring?”
“What is the problem anyway?”
Then I heard the Lord say,
“Child, your motive is wrong."
The works you do,
should not glorify you. So
come to Me, bend your knees
and let Me fill your heart
and rest in strength that I give
and praise Me that you even live.
Then, My Child, I can receive
every work your life can give.
I would not have you work in vain,
So I remind you again and again.
My great desire is that you
allow Me to be close to you.
In you dear Child, lives no good thing,
and so I give to you things to bring.
You see My Child, I love you so
and all I do, is just for you.”

Ramona, 2004

Posted By: Ramona | September 16, 2009 8:44 AM

Interesting. I'm going through this now. A self check if you will. I'm currently in charge of the Christian Arts ministry as well as the youth ministry@my church and have felt like maybe this was premature. I have felt that I don't belong in these positions as of yet. I've been contemplating talking to my pastor about it. It's been on my mind for quite some time now and I just feel kinda lost. Thanks for the confirmation that I just be doing just so things get done.
Blessings!

Posted By: Jerusalem Singleton | September 17, 2009 10:51 PM

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