On being an heiress
Melanie - August 29, 2008
I can't believe it's already been a week since everyone was in San Antonio, eating a multitude of flour tortillas and heading to the Alamodome. I've spent much of this week walking around in a bit of a preoccupied daze.
Of course, some may say that's not much different than any other day.
But this past week has been filled with sending my only child off to Kindergarten on the heels of a weekend where I felt God speak to so many of my fears and insecurities.
Beth taught on the theme of inheritance and everything was framed in the context that we are heirs of God.
She had me at the first point which was I am an heir of God, my life is not left to chance. The truth is that nothing happens by chance. God has a plan for my life and the people and things He brings into my life may seem random, but are God-ordained.
Beth said that Providence is the FACT that God works as powerfully in natural events as the miraculous. That hit home with me because when I look at my husband, my marriage, my friendships, and the path my life has taken, I realize that all those things are a series of natural events that add up to the miraculous. I was created for all those things and those things were created for me.
That's Divine Providence.
For a semi-reformed control freak, it's comforting for me to relax in the arms of God and know He has my life under control. It's not my job to figure everything out or have a plan, it's my job to listen and follow.
Beth had us draw a box that depicted our boundary lines. The four walls represented intimacy with God, our past, our life experiences, and our gifts. Faith was in the center as it should be.
She challenged us by asking if God was invading all of our boundary lines because if He isn't, then it means the devil has it. We may think we have it, but if it's not covered by God, then it's not covered.
I struggle with guilt over past failures and mistakes, I have some life experiences that I wish were different, I struggle sometimes to find intimacy with God, I often wish I had different gifts, but all of those things are what make me unique.
God wants to use my past, my present, my future to fulfill His purposes, but He can only do that if I get out of the way and let Him take over my boundary lines.
That spoke to me more deeply than anything else. Everything about me makes me who He created me to be. He knew all the days of my life before one of them came to be. He's not caught by surprise at my failings and weaknesses, He uses me in spite of them and sometimes because of them.
I've spent this week taking a closer look at my boundary lines and surrendering all that ground to Him. He's the only one that can make it into something beautiful.
Hope y'all have a great weekend.
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris
Comments (11)
Thank you for taking the time to share that with us! I’m so glad it was such an awesome experience for everyone who attended. Sounds like God answered all of our prayers with a loud “YES!”
Posted on August 28, 2008 11:18 PM
Wow! That’s a powerful word. It comes at a time where I am in great need of taking a look at those boundary lines.
Posted on August 28, 2008 11:54 PM
He has made it beautiful already, dear Melanie. You have a beautiful inheritance that you are walking in right now. You are a miracle, my Sister. I am so glad to know you and pray for you.
The thing that Beth said and God translated to my heart that struck me the most is this: People may disinherit you, but I NEVER will. I am so glad that He never removes His love from me. I can rest in that.
Love you! Holly
Posted on August 29, 2008 10:28 AM
He makes all things new! Nice recap. Thanks for sharing.
Posted on August 29, 2008 11:58 AM
Thanks for taking the time to share Beth’s words with us who were unable to make it. I’ve been doing a lot of boundary-checking lately, so this Word is just another encouragement. I just finished leading a Stepping Up group and we just talked about the awesomeness of how we are heirs with Christ! It’s cool enough that I get to be called a Child of God, but to be an Heir too? Awesome!
Posted on August 29, 2008 2:05 PM
That is, quite simply, some of the best nutshelling I’ve ever heard. God and I are working on the same things in my life right now. We’re not a mystery to Him.
Thank you for sharing.
Posted on August 29, 2008 2:54 PM
I’m still processing as well.
God spoke and I’m overwhelmed at how specific He was to me. I love it when He does this!
blessings, steph.
Posted on August 29, 2008 5:09 PM
I was standing in a pool with a friend who finally asked, “so what was the weekend like?” I was able to tell her (not quite so elequently as you) about the list of I am a heir of God because statements and the whole boundaries box. Thanks for sharing. I sent her the link so she can see it from your perspective too. I also love Beth’s quote,”It is for freedom that you were made free.” Whew…I want to walk in freedom. also, “Quit behavin’ and just believe!” love it.
Posted on August 29, 2008 8:38 PM
I love the way you recapped the message…. I knew it had been about inheritance, and was anxious to learn more. Thanks for sharing this. I love the reminder that God isn’t surprised by our failings and weaknesses & that He uses them! Powerful stuff. Thank you!
Posted on August 29, 2008 9:09 PM
You know Melanie, this is such a good post and covers so well what Beth taught about this element of the message.
Its hard to imagine how God could see our weaknesses, failures, and most shameful experiences and beneficial and useful - but as I came out of a desert season, I began to say, “You know I would do it all differently if I could, but as of now, I don’t regret a moment of it because I would not be the person I am today without that history - without the good, the bad and the ugly.”
I didn’t even know what it meant to have a consistent walk with the Lord back then, but now… Oh Now… I know He can use anything and everything. Even painful and devestating things to bring glory to Himself and reveal the good in our lives. When we come to the end of our natural selves and begin to live fully dependent on His grace, His love and His will —- we really begin to fly.
That truth has never been more clear to me than now. I celebrated - hard to imagine those words going with this next part, but it is true - I celebrated the Homegoing of my oldest child at LPL in San Antonio and something I knew from the moment that it happened was that God is sovereign, He is good - He knew all the days of my son’s life before one came to be and had he not been in an accident, he still would have gone Home to be with Jesus on August 23, 2005 no matter how it happened. God in His mercy chose the accident and 8 days in the hospital to deliver my son home and bring me peace and strength to endure such a tragic loss.
He is good, and Hebrews 11:40 says we have something better awaiting us in Heaven that those who go before us will not experience until we all get there. Heaven is real and my son is living in the reality of that truth. How glorious is that?
Posted on August 30, 2008 9:38 AM
Do you know if she is going to release that weekend’s teaching on audio cd? :)
Posted on September 4, 2008 12:58 PM