Apples and Bananas?

So, I told you I'm taking a Beth Moore Bible Study called

When Godly People Do Ungodly Things.

I also told you that it was kicking my butt a bit.

Well, it is very challenging.

The first few weeks are filled with warnings

and an education about the enemy.

There was also the fact that it comes to you 

that just because you have a wonderful relationship with the 

Lord you are not safe from falling.

Just because you have lived with a sin in your life

for.ev.er doesn't make it right.

Yesterday's lesson and following discussion

brought some very cool things to light.

The subject was staying within the walls.

Beth used the temple as an example of our lives.

She talked about how some of us view the walls as protection

and get comfort from them....

and how others see the walls as barriers and resent them.

Beth talked about all of the "trees" and "fruit" within the walls.

How we, as Christians, tend to only eat the same old fruits

over and over again.

Apples and Bananas.

We eat these same fruits because that's what our parents

did and their parents before them.

It is what we are teaching our children to 

eat...apples and bananas.

All the while there is such variety available to us.

She said to think about how many trees are in the garden.

It is loaded with trees and fruit.

She says it is no wonder others look at Christians and think

they are boring and then translate that to the thought 

of being a Christian.

Beth is so right on that front.

Most of us Christians live our lives in a 

comfortably boring state.

We so often do not think beyond tradition and routine 

to grasp the  

awesome opportunities for worship, joy and service 

that are all around us.

Revival must start here.

In my heart...

in your heart.

She stressed that WE ARE the church 

and praying that revival would come is useless

if we aren't open to it in our own lives and hearts.

I've been challenged by my daughter lately.

She has been reading books that are helping her 

to see things differently.

When she goes to the Mall she watches people.

She sees the need so many have for the Lord.

Her heart is breaking for the lost.

I admit that I am not there yet.

Oh, I want the lost to be saved,

but I am not actively seeking them out and ministering 

to them...

I have not been specifically

praying for those who are not in my life.

This needs to change.

Let's call that one pineapple.

I want to eat some pineapple.

Chelsea is also getting geared up for her 

adventure in Australia and Cambodia or Thailand

next year.

We'll call that Papaya.....

Living your life for the Lord to the extreme.

She called it writing the book of your life and 

making it interesting.

(That also came from something she read)

As a parent it would be so tempting to encourage

her to investigate her gifts closer to home.

But we challenged her to take a couple of weeks and 

really pray about her future.

She came out of that even more determined that this 

is the right path.

This parent has to yield and encourage her to follow

God's leading in her life.

Will everything be perfect?

Not likely.

Will we miss her?

YOU BET!

But will she enjoy the juicy goodness of the Papaya?

Most definitely.

And what a story she will be writing in the process.

So, if God continues to call her to walk this path

we will support and encourage her in it.

We'll trust that God has her in the palm of His hand.

Now, just because I am not going overseas

to eat my Papaya does not mean that I can't eat the 

Papaya too.

I'm actively seeking the Lord's will

in the next chapter of my story.

Does He want me to be more involved in the 

rescue of orphans?

Perhaps my ministry will come through the candle 

business and those I can help through fund raising.

Papaya?

Maybe.

Perhaps it is something that He is going to 

bring into our lives which we have no idea of yet.

I definitely feel a call to get more involved in relationships 

with the ladies in our church .....and beyond......to serve them and 

make strong friendships.

I think those might be big sweet juicy grapes.

So much fruit.

And I've gotten caught up in just enjoying the 

apples and bananas.

So routine.

So good.

But there is so much more.

I've been challenged.

Convicted.

Excited!

To be authentic, willing, repentant, open

and to live an exciting and fulfilled life 

FOR HIM.

Told you I would try to share.

This feels an inadequate 

sharing of the thoughts and feelings

swirling in my head and heart

but you get the idea.