Above Every Other Noise!

Psalm 91:1-2 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." (NIV)
Whew! What a weekend. From conference coordinating, catering, and caring for each conference attendee...there was little time to rest. It was a whirlwind filled with wonder, blessing, and power...and yet challenges, endless decisions, and multiple opportunities to feel overwhelmed.

It's funny...For the last several years, I felt hidden from the world...tested...called to serve God in a place of obscurity.

Obscurity??? That place where no one seems to know your name. That place where you feel unseen. That place where despite your greatest efforts to stop forward in obedience "the plan" doesn't seem to come together. That place where you see the "Promised Land" but remain stranded, left to wander desert lands.

Truthfully...nothing stripped my pride quite like the desert of obscurity. My motives were revealed. My agendas set aside. My faith, refined. Obscurity solidified my hope in Christ alone.

Quite honestly, I became comfortable with obscurity. I learned to embrace and enjoy serving the AUDIENCE OF ONE. Life became strangely simple as I learned to listen intently to GOD'S VOICE alone.

Ironically, the moment obscurity became comfortable...God called me to step forward. Doors opened. God set the stage and positioned me to proclaim His message...a message no longer whispered from quiet recesses of silent solitude but from the shining lights of a formal stage.

For a moment, this weekend I was tempted to worry: What would people think? What would they say? How would they perceive...?

It didn't take long to realize the importance of the lessons learned in "my desert wanderings." The "lime light of the stage" invited new opportunities and challenges. Unfortunately, opinions are never lacking and my desire to want to please still remains a temptation. How about you? Ever worry about what people think? Do the opinions of others cause you to want to defend your actions...that's not what I meant...if only you understood my heart...

Friend, the only place of refuge from the world's opinions resides in the shelter of the Most High.

The lessons we learn in the darkness of obscurity are no different than the one's encountered in the lime light of the stage--

The only way we can live free from the weight of performance or fear of failure is found in CHRIST ALONE. Our freedom is found when:

1. We live for the Audience of ONE...
2. We lean in to intently discover and remember WHO HE SAYS we are...
3. And, when we KNOW and HOLD FAST to WHAT HE HAS SPOKEN and PROMISED.

Today, I want to encourage you to press in to GOD. Listen intently to what He has spoken.

Proverbs 16:2-3 reminds us that "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (NIV)

Father, may every word we say and every action reflect your glory and honor You. Fill us with Your wisdom. Help us to HEAR YOU above every other noise!