"About a Burning Fire"...

I've neglected my love.

Yet she hasn't left me for another.

Call it grace; call it mercy; call it whatever you feel appropriate. But just know that I am grateful. Humility is my nature at this stage.

The last time I utilized the gift within me was August 2005. Amazingly, my knack for writing has not abandoned me, as I did it. Though I don’t understand the reason behind it, I have wasted enough time by sitting on my hands and not using this gift.

I call it a gift because not everyone has ability to fluently put their thoughts, ideas or dreams to paper. It’s just like singing. Have you seen an audition episode of American Idol recently? There are thousands of people who “know they can sing,” yet they have as much talent at singing as I do at giving birth. Writing is much of the same idea. We come from a belief system in the States that if it is available to you, you should do it. Never mind the fact that you may not have a calling, talent or gift for that thing, but “what the heck.” In the last three weeks I have witnessed at least 10 (probably more – I lost count) contestants on Idol who have had some sort of “professional training” to aid their “gift” (or lack there of). Isn’t training, no matter the trade, supposed to make one better? I thought so. But these kids – although some are over the age of 20, they still act like children when they are told the truth – grow up with mommy and daddy always telling them how good they are, how talented they are, how they can do anything they want if they set their mind to it.

*ALERT – This may sound a little negative. Just understand that I am a realist, and I have a pure heart about which I write.*

And Christian parents are even worse – sometimes. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV) What I want to focus on is the last part of that passage. Christians read this and automatically think, “I can do whatever I want and be successful at it.” What they fail to realize is that if they have no calling, no gifting nor talent, they will not succeed no matter what they confess. If Christ hasn’t strengthened (read: given ability to; equipped) you, you can’t succeed. I hate to be the bearer of bad news.

That’s the problem with a lot of Christians today. They are trying to establish themselves in a position that wasn’t made for them. It’s the square-peg-for-a-round-hole scenario. What we get is the feet of the body of Christ trying to hear, the eyes trying to do all the talking, meanwhile the ears and the mouth aren’t able to do what they’ve been called to do because someone has filled their position.

About a year and a half ago I preached a message to a group of youth entitled “One Body, Many Parts.” It took the concept of 1 Corinthians 12 and broke it down into actual body parts. Through that process I was able to illustrate how the Body of Christ is made up of many parts with specific roles, just like the human body. Needless to say, the Body would work correctly if the feet would act like feet, the eyes would act like eyes and the ears and mouth would get in their correct office. But people have the thought that being a janitor is somehow lesser than being a high profile lawyer. Sure, the pay scale is different, but without the janitor the building where the lawyer works would be a cockroach and rat infested mess. Thus, the lawyer would have no where to practice.

Maybe if parents would raise their children in the mindset that no position is lesser than another, the Body of Christ could come together as a complete unit.

I said all that to say this. I’m back. And I’m utilizing my gift. I am using what is in my hand to attract my Pharaoh.