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stir it up in my heart
Where has that fire gone? There was a time when I really believed that I could change the world. I really believed that God could use a shy Mexican kid from a small town to reach the world for Him. Maybe I was delusional. Maybe I set my goals too high. Maybe I was wrong to believe that I could do something so great for God.
I pray for God to give me faith like a child again. Growing up, my parents always encouraged me to follow my dreams. They said that I could accomplish anything if I worked hard at it. They always believed in me in whatever endeavor I pursued, even if it was foolish at the time. Always I was reminded that I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phillipians 4:13).
I think as we get older, we sort of get stuck in our ways. We stay in our comfort zone and do things we know we are capable of doing, but refuse to venture off and take risks into the unknown. That next step is the hardest, the step that very possibly might send you tumbling down a cliff. We limit ourselves because of fear, because of lack of effort, or just lack of faith. My Bible says that with God all things are possible (Mark 9:23). We tend to hold God back from doing the real work He wants to do in our lives. “Lord, help my unbelief.”
When I was in High School, I had dreams of playing basketball in the NBA someday. Unrealistic? Yes. But, I put in the time and effort, practice after practice, shot after shot, trying to make that dream come true. Reality slaps you in your face sometimes. When I got to college, I realized that I wasn’t tall enough, strong enough, fast enough to compete at a higher level. Truthfully, I love basketball, but I’m glad God moved me in a different direction. Bouncing a ball cannot compare to worshiping God and being alone in His presence.
Failure can do either one of two things: Drag you down so far that you quit altogether, or make you stronger so you do better and try harder next time. My basketball coach in High School told me that there was going to be greater things in my life than basketball and not to determine my success in life based on my success on the court. At the time, I didn’t really understand what he was saying, or actually I really didn’t want to understand what he meant. Basketball was my life for so many years, but as I look back, he was right. If I based my life on my success in basketball, where would I be today?
I’ve heard it said so many times that when God closes one door, He always opens another. That passion I once had for basketball was turned into a passion to write, to worship, to be used by Him. I wouldn’t trade that for anything, not even if I could trade that in to be Michael Jordan.
A co-worker of mine, when I first started working at my job, asked me what I went to school for and I told him I studied Journalism. He made a sarcastic comment, “I went to school with a bunch of Journalism majors. They were all set out to change the world.” I don’t get offended easily, but that comment sort of hit me personally. I believed in my heart that I was going to make a difference in this world. No one was going to tell me different.
God’s been stirring this up in my heart again. He’s been reaffirming that call He’s placed on my life. Since moving to Houston, I’ve struggled with what God has called me to do. The last couple of years have been hard. It just seems like I’ve had so many failures. I’d try to do this, or try to do that, and my efforts seemed to just end in disappointment. Why? I think my focus shifted from God as the centerpiece to “the work” that I was doing. There are many people that claim to be doing the “work of God,” but it is all to no avail if we’re not doing the “work of God” for God (Matthew 7:21-23).
One thing I’ve learned in life is that Godly dreams and Godly desires only work if God is behind them. When the focus isn’t on Christ, everything falls apart. That’s one thing I won’t do with this website and this column. The only way for PutHimFirst.com to continue on is for me to continue to “Put Him First” in all I do. I know that as a fact. So I pray:
“God stir up that fire in my heart again. All things are possible through You, so strengthen me with Your love. Give me words to write so that I can make a difference in this world and help me to keep You as the Centerpiece of my life. Amen.”
After saying all that, I do believe that God is going to use me to reach the world, and I believe that He is using me. What’s my proof? It’s all of you who read this column each week. That’s enough to keep me writing from week to week, trying to make a difference for Him.
I pray that you continue to let God stir you up to do that thing He’s called you to do. Take care and keep spreading the word about PutHimFirst.com. God Bless Ya’all.
w/muchluv,
geno
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