For those of you who are new here, God totally wrecked my heart a little over two years ago and moved me to a church in the inner parts of our city. It’s been a move my heart has loved, but yet one that is hard at times.
I’ve loved visiting with a few of you recently who I can see God moving in your heart such the same way. To those of you struggling to feed the sheep and serve the least of these — dig in to God’s word and follow because you are in for the most incredible ride of your life! However, don’t let the challenges stop you. But why is it challenging?
It’s challenging because:
it’s hard to see those in need not want more for themselves
it’s hard to see children living in shelters
it’s hard to see abused women and the helplessness they feel
it’s hard to see how unloved some feel
it’s hard to see people feel so trapped by their circumstances
One thing I’ve learned is that to see God move you have to show up. You might love the idea of beautifying a community, serving the homeless, or loving on abandoned children, but you’ll never see the miracles that occur unless you step out of your comfort zone and show up!
When you show up you get to see the transformation of what is to what will be.
You get to see the unloved feel loved.
You get to see the downcast look up at you and smile.
You get to see the hungry fed.
You get to see the drug addict struggle with laying the addiction aside.
You get to see the prostitute realize she is worthy of so much more.
When you show up — you get to see God in so many ways. If you are struggling with where God is moving in your heart at the moment I beg you to take the step, go to where He leads, and show up to see what God is doing. The journey is beyond words. The blessings are beyond a count.
Have you ever just showed up? If so, share the blessings you got to see to encourage others?
to see God move you have to show up. <—–
Wow.
This is AWESOME.
I love this.
(And I LOVE your new blog! :) )
Thanks Meredith! Glad you popped in today, friend.
I am striving to get out of my comfort zone and just show up Alene….you see, I am a “behind the scene”, the one always at the back….hidden, kind of individual but is striving to get out more and get involve more…
Thank you for this beautiful encouragement. Blessings!
Girl – you can just “show up” behind the scenes. Sometimes you get to see God work and move in greater ways there. Love that you’re getting involved. Find your strength and gift and go — you bless me!
You’ve packaged a profound truth so beautifully here!
Thank you for your encouragement! Learning about these truths here myself.
praising God for His saving grace.
Showing up is huge. So much of the church is sitting comfortably in wooden pews, then forgetting that they’re living in their mission field for the other 167 hours of the week.
Keep showin’ up, Alene. You’re changing the world.
Jennifer – your words inspire and encourage me soooo! It’s hard to see yourself changing the world when you are just showing up and taking baby steps. But each life impacts the world in such a huge way. Life are changing and that’s the main thing. Blessings girl!
The third time is a charm! I have attempted to go to try your rasteurant for dinner on 3 separate occasions. The first was a Monday night and a few months later a Tuesday night only to be disappointed to find I had again chosen a night that you were closed. Being Friday night I finally succeeded and am still in a state of bliss hours after eating at Berry Fresh Cafe. I can never recall trying not to moan or Ahhh after every bite of food ever in my life! Every taste, beginning with the Fire Cracker Crispy Shrimp shared as an appetizer to the Mediterranean Chicken and Pasta and finally to the warm apple cobbler with homemade mango and coconut ice cream,was as if I had discovered Shangra La and Eutopia wrapped in one. I am still trying not to melt from all of those phenomenal flavors.I am already studying the take out menu planning my next gourmet meal perhaps breakfast next time at my now all time favorite rasteurant.Thank you! Until we meet again,Carol A. Ryan