"If The World Hates You, Keep In Mind That It Hated Me First. If You Belonged To The World, It Would Love You As Its Own. As It Is, You Do Not Belong To The World, But I Have Chosen You Out Of The World. That Is Why The World Hates You."
John 15:18-19
I missed the memo...Stating that the life of ministry would be a lonely one.
I find it ironic that He called someone who has barely spent a second alone, to do a work, that seems to get lonelier by the day...
I have also noticed that the only thing lonelier than be alone, is being lonely when you're not alone.
Not only that, but to take a people pleaser such as myself and push her towards one of the most overwhelming callings to have pretty much blows my mind.
I missed the memo...Stating that I would lose the majority of friends I do have, as well as some family members once I accepted this calling.
Since I have stopped hiding the plans He has for me, people have stopped hiding how they feel about the plans He has for me.
I used to be able to count on 10 hands how many people would be by my side if I wanted to go out and party...
I can count on one hand how many people are by my side if I ask them to join me at Church on Sunday or Bible study on Wednesday or Homeless feeding on Tuesday.
I missed the memo...Stating people would be downright hateful upon hearing you are becoming a Pastor.
Wow, for someone who wants everyone to like them, this one has been hard for me.
People who "knew me then" and people who "know me now" seem to think my life is fair game for judgement.
It isn't.
I missed the memo...Stating that you have to be "perfect" to be a Pastor.
Newsflash, no one on this Earth is perfect, we can strive for it, yet we will never achieve it on this side of life.
If you or someone you know, thinks they are perfect, I am here to tell you that you/they are delusional.
People who think they are perfect tend to hoard a sense of superiority over anyone they are in contact with, because they can't stand to not be the center of attention.
I missed the memo...Stating that this road would involve an enormous amount of emotional conflict within myself.
The nature of a Pastor is to care, be compassionate, be loving, be sensitive & be kind.
With each person I pray for, with each person that comes to me in confidence, I take on their momentary burden, and yes, it does affect me emotionally.
If I allow callousness to prevail and allow my emotions to be protected, I won't be able to do what He wants me to do.
In order to feel their hurts and share their burdens, I will be emotional from time to time.
I missed the memo...Stating that Satan would come after me with everything he has, in order to turn me away from God.
I could do post after post on this subject alone.
Day in and day out is a spiritual battle for all of our souls, not just mine...
The ones that do as he wishes them to do, (ie: the ones of this world) don't have it as hard as the ones who turn away from this world to do His bidding.
The second you denounce living in "this" world, Satan has your name and will come after you like a pitbull after a bone, never, ever giving up.
If he can get you to turn away from Him...
He wins.
It seems I have missed an awful lot of memos over the past 2 years, heck over the past 6 months, I do, however know of a few memos I didn't miss...
His to me.
He will always fight for me, - "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still" - Exodus 14:14
He knows what is around the corner - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" - Jeremiah 29:11
He goes, before I go - "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." - Deuteronomy 31:8
He will always light my way - "You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." - 1 Thessalonians 5:5
He will always, always love me, no matter what - "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." - Proverbs 8:17
MATTHEW WEST
Now You're Here And Everything's Changing
Suddenly Life Means So Much
I Can't Wait
To Wake Up Tomorrow
And Find Out This Promise Is True
I Will Never Have To Go Back To
The Day Before You
