My Indicators Went Haywire

When something's just not right with my car, an indicator starts flashing on my dashboard. The same thing is true for checking and mastering our moods. When we’re dealing with an emotion that is causing our bright light to dim, then we need to fix it -- quickly! And, if we want to be the brightest light that reflects Jesus everywhere we are, then we should always be checking our indicators.

Case in point: Two weeks ago I reserved a large, private room in a restaurant for a group of 20 women on Monday night. This room would give us plenty of space to play some fun icebreaker games. I show up early and find they've placed us in a much smaller, tighter room with little space to move around. The larger room was now FULL of poker players. Did you notice I said “full”? They needed that room. We didn’t.

I should have taken notice of my “indicator lights” but didn’t. I proceed to fold my arms over my tummy. You know. That “look” that speaks without speaking. The co-manager is on the phone and I wait in that stance. He gets off the phone. I express my angst. He calls the manager who took my reservation. She says she had told me she would move us to a smaller room if our group was smaller. In my memory, (Lord, help me!) she never said that. And, if I could make it worse, I did. With little candor, I say: "I won't be selecting this place again in the future." I just HAD to make my point. Grrrr! My little light dimmed as I ate a slice of humble pie when only 14 of my women show up. Obviously, the smaller room was the right fit for us.

Some of our emotions can be so damaging, so hurtful, and so non-effective. We’ve (I've) got to change what we’re (I'm) feeling. Philippians 2:5 says, “Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ”. Our attitude includes our emotions, so what we’re feeling should be the same as that of Jesus. We need to ask our self, “How would Jesus feel in this situation? Would Jesus get irritated with this manager? No. Would Jesus have a “tude”? No. Would Jesus be up all night, wringing His hands and worrying that something isn’t going to work out? No. Would Jesus be fearful? No.”

We should instantly dismiss any feeling that doesn’t make us more like Jesus. If Jesus wouldn’t respond to someone with negative emotion (i.e., a store clerk, a spouse, a co-worker), then we shouldn’t either. If Jesus would present Himself as kind and understanding, then we should, too. We quickly drop that attitude, and we figure out what Jesus would do instead.

It's time for us to take control of our emotions and allow God to use them for good. Then God will do His part. Romans 8:28 says "ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes." Those things, in my case, DID work out for good. Because this group of women had this smaller, intimate place to be, we were able to share miracle stories, encourage and support each other, and pray together. No need for games when God steps up and brightens up the room with His love. AND, gives me content for this blog!

Less of me and more of Him. "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

I Want to be a Pointer

Okay. I’ll admit it. Some days I struggle with humility. I get so fixated on who commented or liked or loved my blog, that I fail to remember it is HE Who deserves all the honor and praise. Less of me, more of Him. That I might decrease and He increase.

We’ve been talking about John the Baptist a lot lately and, WOW, did he ever exude humility! Those two boys – Jesus and John – were cousins with intimately close mamas – so intimate that when Mary showed up at Elizabeth’s home, Elizabeth’s baby boy, John, leapt in her womb. They were quite a foursome. I suspect those boys had many play-times together. They were more than cousins – they were “soul and spirit” brothers.

Just think how John could have been jealous of Jesus, but He continued to say things like: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) And, I agree with John. I want that, too! I really do desire that when others see me, they see Jesus. I want any attention I get to deflect off me and land right to He Who is worthy of all praise. He must increase, but I must decrease.

I suppose this is a common struggle in the world we’re living in today. In this “survival of the fittest” to gain the most followers or take the best “touched-up” selfie, or profile our amazing “bestie” friends, it is easy to allow the self-praise desires to cloud the path to Christ. This is why I know I am inspired by the humility of St John the Baptist. When given the opportunity to claim personal fame, he deflects the attention to Christ.

I wonder how much of what we do proclaims to the world, “more of you, God"! In the midst of racking up those likes and loves, are our efforts leading others to Christ, or are they fattening up the number of followers in the popularity score we’re keeping for ourselves? Lord, please help us show You off and be a pointer to You as an example of true humility. And when the world seeks to capture our attention with promises of glory or fame or accolades of any kind, may we point to the One who deserves all our praise. Less of me, more of You, God!