Put God first
I am blessed to have two jobs that I love and that give me the opportunity to engage with a large group of people. This week, I had some unexpected encounters from both my civilian job and my military job. Both encounters were not about my jobs or my work, but about my blog. I am always moved when I run in to people that share they read my blog or share it with their families. I am especially encouraged when the feedback comes from people of all ages and backgrounds. I had an earlier encounter with my civilian job and then, at the end of the week, I had a couple of encounters in my military job. I had two women come up to me encouraged that I am so open about my faith, even in such a senior position in the military. By seeing me open in my faith, they are encouraged to be open about their faith. How amazing is our God that my writing would encourage others to be bold in their faith. As Paul stated, when we put God first and listen to our calling, when we are bold in our faith, we exalt Him in all we do. “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death” (Philippians 1:20, NIV).
Before my latest military promotion, I was ready to retire. I had reached a point of acceptance that this phase of my life was over and that I would shift my focus to writing and speaking. I could not have imagined that God had other plans for me. I now see how my courage in sharing my faith in a leadership position encourages others to be open with their faith. I now see how this promotion and network gives me the opportunity to be a greater disciple for our Father. Can you imagine if each of us talked about how we see God in our everyday with just one person? Could you imagine the impact we could have in spreading God’s word by being willing to share our testimony? I never imagined the conversations I would have. I never imagined the unplanned conversations in an elevator when I saw a young man clearly struggling with emotions and how that would open the door to unexpected prayer. I never imagined what relationships would bloom from being vulnerable with my own trials. I never imagined the number of people that would become a part of my community of faith and how it would grow everyday.
I am often asked how I can be so open in my faith in all that I do. My answer is a simple one, how could I not? I cannot help but share how God works in my life and the life of others. Who you are, who I am, is not my title or my jobs. I am a child of God and that is who I am. That is who God created me to be and whatever job or whatever title I may hold, that will never change.
Today, I pray that you never forget who you are. I pray that you not limit the sharing of your faith because of titles or jobs but that you be bold and share your testimony to all that will hear-you never know who may be listening and what lives you may change.
I pray these words spoke to you, please share with a friend. Don’t miss a blog, subscribe to my web page.
