Friday, September 05, 2008

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!


13 comments:

Lisa said...

Loved this, Leigh. Really loved it!!! It made me think and take inventory and search my own heart. Thank you for the challenge. I wholeheartedly agree with what you are saying and have to daily ask myself those hard questions. We don't like to talk about the messy things, do we? I am guilty myself. I believe we won't ever totally "get there," because we aren't intended for perfection on this earth. But still, within that daily introspection we make strides toward godliness -- holiness. Most importantly, our strides towards purity of heart change US and help us be fulfilled on this secular earth we live in. God knows that we need Him, sometimes it just takes us longer to realize that in EVERY aspect of our life. See? You've got me thinking, girl. :)

I'm right there with you, clinging to everything about HIM. Oh, this flesh I wear is so incumbent sometimes. It grosses me out.

Thanks for the reminder today to point everything in my life to Him.

Much love,
Lisa :)

Mom of Many said...

I just read My Utmost for His Highest today - July 17. Did you read the same today too? Because it just had the same message. We are a representative of God whom He works through. He works through us to get glory for Him, not for ourselves. That fine line is so hard to see sometimes... Thanks for reiterating a message to me today. Maybe God is really trying to get me to understand something... ; )

Melissa

Sarah said...

Sweet, precious, Leigh -- God used you to STEP ON MY TOES!! I have really been talking to the Lord about my pride lately. I know it will be a battle for me as long as I inhabit this flesh! Love what Lisa had to say. Keep me honest, girl! Call me on the carpet about my pride. I need a friend who will be tough with me -- and you did just that today, Leigh.

Great words -- let's give them back to the Lord in praise, lest you be prideful! ;-)

Sarah said...

Sweet, precious, Leigh -- God used you to STEP ON MY TOES!! I have really been talking to the Lord about my pride lately. I know it will be a battle for me as long as I inhabit this flesh! Love what Lisa had to say. Keep me honest, girl! Call me on the carpet about my pride. I need a friend who will be tough with me -- and you did just that today, Leigh.

Great words -- let's give them back to the Lord in praise, lest you be prideful! ;-)

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Oh girl.....I have so many thoughts on this, I'll be back to share them, when the house is STILL and DARK and QUIET. =) Then maybe I'll make some sense!!!

Joyful said...

Oh Leigh, how my heart resonates with your heart. I have been asking myself those same questions. "Not unto us O Lord, but unto Your name be glory".

I get exhausted from the role of 'perfection' and desire to be unmasked. The days when I've failed the Lord yet again and struggle with the strength to begin again. Days when insecurity cries louder than assurance, when thoughts are mean and actions selfish. Times when life is definitely more mundane than miraculous and pride dominates.

"Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be a wicked way in me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness." Ps.139

Saying His Name,
Joy

ocean mommy said...

Oh Girl...I hear you I hear you I hear you! This was such a powerful post. I'm going to go and get alone with the Lord and ask Him to search my heart and show me my motives. Thank you for being obedient to His plan for you post today.

Have a great weekend,
steph.

Julie said...

It's interesting that I find this post here. I feel like God is showing me a transformation of my heart.

I used to desire to speak. In some ways I still do. But my reasons have changed. I just finished reflecting and writing about it on my blog. For so long I wanted to have some deep significant purpose of usefulness with and for God. What He showed me was that so much of my value was tied into it.

I am grateful now that He kept the door closed, for the most part. He allowed me a couple of times speaking to show me how much my heart loved it.
But then He pulled me back in with Him. He wanted to remove the parts that made it about my value. He wanted it to be about Him and His work, not mine. I am amazed at what He has done and how my heart has changed. (you can read about it on my blog if you desire) He may open the door again sometime. I'm OK either way.

But like you I feel like there is something on my horizon... I just don't know what it is right now. It's OK that I don't know. I am at rest. His transformation in me is being revealed to me and this rest that I have found is unlike anything I have ever experienced.

I am grateful He has for the most part kept the doors closed. There's no telling what I would have done with "the gift" He has placed in me.

Thanks for sharing your heart. I loved it.

Julie

Julie said...

Leigh,
Thank you for visiting my blog and your sweet words.
I have just recently realized the transformation in me.
I have been walking with God 28 years and it has just been in the last season that i have come to understand the things I wrote about. I am so grateful for the winter wilderness, though I haven't been.

You should pick up a copy of the book, "Anonymous". It is blowing me away. It's speaking my language.

Anyways, I am grateful for your visit and your kind words. You have blessed me.

Julie

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

hey girls - just wanted you to know I have a week of giveaways going on this week. come back each day for another something awesome!!

Love, Leigh

Speaking Thru Me Ministries said...

hey girls - just wanted you to know I have a week of giveaways going on this week. come back each day for another something awesome!!

Love, Leigh

Lindsee said...

Well said, Miss Leigh. Thank you for your honesty and transparency! I think all of us would be lying if we said we hadn't dealt with this at one time or another!

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Leigh,
You have spoken Truth here! Words that I, and everyone else, need to hear! We are all so prone to want to get some of the glory for ourselves! Even when we don't set out to, we sometimes end up there.

One of the points in our Ladies Sunday school lesson last week was how God does not share His glory with anyone! So true!

Keep up the good work. And keep sharing your thoughts with us as God leads.

Thanks!
Marilyn