633 - Say the Name

I so often read about people being called to things that they do not want to do. But most of the time those things that they (and myself) are talking or writing about still have much personal glory in them. I think the most reoccurring one these days is ladies being called to speak that do not want to do it. I am amazed at how many God is calling into the speaking ministry and yet so many do not want to have any part in it. It is confusing to me.

I understand being called into something that is within your gifting or even something that is not, but i guess my thoughts today are why don't we talk enough about the things God calls us to do that have no personal glory. No matter how you look at it, even with the most humble heart and pure intentions, there is personal glory, even if you don't ask for it, in professional speaking. Like i said you might not ask for it and hopefully try to detract most of it as well, but there will always be those that "pump" you up and therefore give a bit of His glory to you. It can't be helped at times.

So we talk about the things that are "pretty" that God calls us to do, and our desire to not do them. What about those things that have no personal gain or are not pretty that He calls us to do and still we don't want to do them? Why do not hear about those too often? I have to ask myself quite often about my motivation of blogging. Is it to attract readers or is it to spill my soul to Him attracting readers to Him? Telling about those things that are pretty, but I don't want to do..........bring glory to Him or to me? God has really convicted me lately that those things can often be about me... even though i am trying to talk about the obedience i am engaging in when He calls me to the things I don't want to do. (I feel like i am sounding a bit like Andy Rooney.)

The Lord said to my heart - why don't you talk about my asking you to clean your house with a joyful heart? Why don't you talk about my asking you to cook more often and quit eating out? Why don't you talk more often about my asking you to be more patient with the kids? Why don't you talk more often about my asking you to be more responsible in situations? Why don't you talk about my asking you to go to the nursing home? And it goes on and on... There is no glory in those situations and yet God asked me to do them. Do i not talk about those because I know it won't inspire readers or do i not write about those things because I know I am going to say no.......... or even subliminally it does not do anything to make me look good??

I asked the Lord to truly expose my heart and this is what He revealed. There is still much pride. There is still much glory seeking. There are still obedience issues. It is still not all about ME - that would be Him! There is still hidden agendas. There is still self-promotion. There is still self-yuck!!!!!!!!! There is still false leading. There is still fear. There is still doubt. There is still need to rise above. There is still seeking of approval. There is still the need to be great. There is still comparisons. There is still not total authenticity!! You allow the readers to know what they need to know that sometimes toots your horn instead of glorifying Me...

Oh Lord - I know!! I am sorry. I repent and I want You!! Thank you!

This all hit me this morning as I was reading about the good Samaritan! I am not sure why it hit me this way, but it did. I thought about the fact that if there had been people watching or "reading" would the priest and Levite been more receptive to talking about God asking them to respond even though they may not have wanted to? Would we have heard about this deed that makes them ultimately look better even though they may not have wanted to do it? There was no one watching or reading and so they passed on and we never heard about it. Is that me? Can I too be guilty of that? Do i look to inform my readers, etc. of only the pretty things that God asks me to do? Because in the end of the story or post I say yes and look good in that too... I don't think it should be that way... humility - there is an issue!

God is preparing me for something and I am not sure what that is, AND after this post I am not sure I should talk about it either. But i do know that He wants total humility and not to share one single bit of His glory. In my speaking, writing, and in life - I need to promote Him more than my obedience or even lack of. I need to speak more of His renown even more than my love for Him. I need to shout of Him more so than what He does for me or through me. I need to say the Name more often and not anything else!!

Jesus!!! Say the Name!