Our Stories
Jesus, Show Me What Glory Means
By Debbie Hancock | posted 11/08/2007
"Be prepared. You are up against more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you will still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (Ephesians 6:13-18, The Message)
I have been really busy lately, busy trying to measure up. It is exhausting and discouraging. I have been trying to fit into someone else's armor and it is uncomfortable. I can't move in armor that doesn't fit. And I have found that the armor I have been trying to make work for me is way more elaborate than it needs to be. The Armor God has fashioned for me is all I need to stand against the biggest giant I will ever face.
The simplicity of it is what I think fools me. The Message says in Ephesians 6 that truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation are more than words. I need to apply them. Without them I will perish. God's armor along with His Word and prayer are essential for survival in battle.
Amazingly, the words "control" and "ambition" are not part of the arsenal. Those are the things I add. And they just don't fit. Control and ambition open doors that allow the enemy access. They also steal my ability to wait in Faith.
I used to be really scared to pray. (I measure myself in that, too). I found out that prayer is simple. It is nothing more than honest conversation. I was so relieved when I found that out. Prayer is the place I can come clean with God. Tell Him my concerns, fears, troubles. It is the place I can be transparent and straightforward. In prayer God takes me by the hand and meets me. I am assured that He will see me through. Even when all I can see is the Giant or the Battle raging around me, He is there for me. I know this because His Word says so and I have witnessed it for myself.
I have been in my position at work for about 6 months now. I work in the Owner Services group. We put out fires, untangle problems, clear up misinformation, and basically walk with people or sometimes the Resort through their problem to a resolution.
I am still new in my position. (Measuring.) I work with people who have been doing this job for 10 or more years. (More measuring.) Their experience has been an asset to me because many have been gracious to advise me when I have questions and concerns.
God has been working on me at work. I sit about ten feet from a member of the Board of Directors for WorldMark. She is vice president of our division. She knows my name. The first time she came out of her office and called me by name giving me the "come here" signal I honestly thought "what have I done wrong!" I gathered my pad of paper and a pen and went with trepidation to her office. She wanted my help with something. I was stunned. I thought "doesn't she know there are people here who have way more experience?" (Measuring myself again.) She proceeded to tell me she thought of me for this particular task because she had observed that I am patient and kind. That just messed me up. It was too awesome and wonderful! She saw Jesus in me. I prayed that He would be glorified in the task she set before me. Then I asked God to show me what is up with me thinking I had done something wrong. (It's that measuring thing.)
I depend on the Lord when I am invited by an owner, resort or my boss to take a look at their problem. Often by the time the problems get to our department the sometimes small issue has escalated to a 3-alarm fire. The Giant is looming large. I can say there have been times when all I see are the Giants. I step into the fire with the owner and take them by the hand, being transparent that I may not have the answers now but assure them I will see it through to resolution. Sometimes it disarms them and we can proceed right away. Other times it takes a few more passes. I have to earn their trust.
This week I was given a task that I couldn't wrap my head around. The problems were so deep and intertwined I had to pull two reports to help me to see where they intersected just to find a starting point. I could then map out a strategy for resolution. I had to resist ambition and control and wait in Faith. About 10 minutes before the point of no return, when the window for resolution was about to close, the final piece of the puzzle was put into place. I looked up and it was 5:55 PM. I had been at work for nine and a half hours. I was amazed, exhausted and exhilarated all at the same time.
I am finding out about myself through my job. I see how far God has brought me and how He has all I need, to do what He has for me to do. Even when He has to make a few more passes He is faithful to do it. When I try to measure up or put on somebody else's armor He knows me. I am learning how to apply every weapon He makes available to me. He will see me through to completion.
Debbie
To respond to this message, email Debbie at djh_is@truthrelationshippurpose.com.
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"Be prepared. You are up against more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you will still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (Ephesians 6:13-18, The Message)
I have been really busy lately, busy trying to measure up. It is exhausting and discouraging. I have been trying to fit into someone else's armor and it is uncomfortable. I can't move in armor that doesn't fit. And I have found that the armor I have been trying to make work for me is way more elaborate than it needs to be. The Armor God has fashioned for me is all I need to stand against the biggest giant I will ever face. The simplicity of it is what I think fools me. The Message says in Ephesians 6 that truth, righteousness, peace, faith and salvation are more than words. I need to apply them. Without them I will perish. God's armor along with His Word and prayer are essential for survival in battle. Amazingly, the words "control" and "ambition" are not part of the arsenal. Those are the things I add. And they just don't fit. Control and ambition open doors that allow the enemy access. They also steal my ability to wait in Faith. I used to be really scared to pray. (I measure myself in that, too). I found out that prayer is simple. It is nothing more than honest conversation. I was so relieved when I found that out. Prayer is the place I can come clean with God. Tell Him my concerns, fears, troubles. It is the place I can be transparent and straightforward. In prayer God takes me by the hand and meets me. I am assured that He will see me through. Even when all I can see is the Giant or the Battle raging around me, He is there for me. I know this because His Word says so and I have witnessed it for myself. I have been in my position at work for about 6 months now. I work in the Owner Services group. We put out fires, untangle problems, clear up misinformation, and basically walk with people or sometimes the Resort through their problem to a resolution. I am still new in my position. (Measuring.) I work with people who have been doing this job for 10 or more years. (More measuring.) Their experience has been an asset to me because many have been gracious to advise me when I have questions and concerns. God has been working on me at work. I sit about ten feet from a member of the Board of Directors for WorldMark. She is vice president of our division. She knows my name. The first time she came out of her office and called me by name giving me the "come here" signal I honestly thought "what have I done wrong!" I gathered my pad of paper and a pen and went with trepidation to her office. She wanted my help with something. I was stunned. I thought "doesn't she know there are people here who have way more experience?" (Measuring myself again.) She proceeded to tell me she thought of me for this particular task because she had observed that I am patient and kind. That just messed me up. It was too awesome and wonderful! She saw Jesus in me. I prayed that He would be glorified in the task she set before me. Then I asked God to show me what is up with me thinking I had done something wrong. (It's that measuring thing.) I depend on the Lord when I am invited by an owner, resort or my boss to take a look at their problem. Often by the time the problems get to our department the sometimes small issue has escalated to a 3-alarm fire. The Giant is looming large. I can say there have been times when all I see are the Giants. I step into the fire with the owner and take them by the hand, being transparent that I may not have the answers now but assure them I will see it through to resolution. Sometimes it disarms them and we can proceed right away. Other times it takes a few more passes. I have to earn their trust. This week I was given a task that I couldn't wrap my head around. The problems were so deep and intertwined I had to pull two reports to help me to see where they intersected just to find a starting point. I could then map out a strategy for resolution. I had to resist ambition and control and wait in Faith. About 10 minutes before the point of no return, when the window for resolution was about to close, the final piece of the puzzle was put into place. I looked up and it was 5:55 PM. I had been at work for nine and a half hours. I was amazed, exhausted and exhilarated all at the same time. I am finding out about myself through my job. I see how far God has brought me and how He has all I need, to do what He has for me to do. Even when He has to make a few more passes He is faithful to do it. When I try to measure up or put on somebody else's armor He knows me. I am learning how to apply every weapon He makes available to me. He will see me through to completion. Debbie To respond to this message, email Debbie at djh_is@truthrelationshippurpose.com. |
