Sunday, June 11, 2017

All Things To All People

Hey Friend,

First, a quick update for those of you who have continued to lift me up in prayer. At my four week post-op doctor visit, the x-rays looked good.  Things seem to be healing nicely.  Two more weeks of non weight bearing and if I get the green light, I can begin to bear weight with the help of a boot and crutches.  This will be the true test of the success of the surgery.

The bruises from the fall, and the shingles have pretty much cleared up.  No new maladies to report, though I have wondered if a plague of frogs or locusts would be next??

During this down time, I have been spending a lot of time in God's Word, wondering what He would have me learn with this surgery?  With my first knee surgery, I started my blog so as not to climb the walls.  Another surgery birthed the beginnings of a non-profit ministry to serve orphans and impoverished children in the Middle East.       

     http://redeemerchristianfoundation.org/

So what this time, Lord?

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.
I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:22

I have been reading through the book of 1 Corinthians, and when I came upon Chapter 9, I was struck by this verse.  To be honest, when I first read the part about "becoming all things to all people," that flat wore me out.  "But, Lord," I protested, "how can I possibly be all things to all people?  That's just not possible."

God, in His patient grace, took me on a little journey down memory lane to help me remember all the things that have happened in my life that I have tried to write and speak about openly and honestly so that others might be encouraged.

I've written about being a recovering perfectionist which struck a chord with many and I have developed a relationship online with others who struggle with this themselves.

I wrote about the hell I went through with divorce and how God was faithful to bring me THROUGH this valley to the other side.  By sharing this, along with my faith struggles and doubts as well as God's answers and abiding faithfulness, I was able to minister to several women who came behind me and I believe that God used me in some way to minister to them because I spoke their language.  I knew, firsthand, their pain.

I've shared the heartbreak of a mother's heart for her prodigal child.  In a Facebook world where only the shining successes are hailed, there are a lot of mothers who struggle with the nagging question of "Where did I go wrong? Why, when I tried so hard, did my child have to take this path?"  

I allowed myself, as well, to be ministered to, and like a volley in tennis, we lobbed encouraging words back and forth to one another.  When one was up, we lifted the one who was down.  

I've shared about my perpetual battle with my weight - talk about a lot of women who speak and know the language of emotional eating.  We were/are able to break melba toast together (fewer calories) and share our struggles and victories.

I've been frank and honest about living my life with mental illness (OCD & depression). Do you know just how many people resonate with this and how few truly understand it?  We need kindred spirits.

Lately, through all this surgery - especially this one to hopefully correct years of chronic nerve pain - I have hopefully earned the privilege to speak to others about chronic pain and disability and finding hope in it.  People are fighting battles everyday with chronic migraines, fibromyalgia, joint and nerve pain, mental illness, gastrointestinal illnesses, deafness, blindness, and the list goes on. 

Many fight on more than one front, and they don't need Polyanna platitudes, sermons, or cliche phrases.  Even scripture needs to be served up with mercy and grace so that it will build up the one suffering rather than puff up the purveyor.  

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I see more clearly why God has allowed all these things in my life.  Sure, there have been times when I've adopted the "Why me" attitude, but then God brings to mind the people with whom He has allowed my path to cross, and how He has given me strength to share Jesus with them - the one and only reason for my hope.  Through these bonds, God brings beauty from the ashes for both of us.

God has allowed me to to be all these things to all these people, so that in doing so, I might save some.  

And so as to not get too lofty - that they might save me too!

God has also allowed me to share with others in joy, and gladness, and victory. This spiritual honey is especially sweet...rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

But, no matter what, He continues to remind me to be Jesus to all these people as that is what He has called me (and you) to do.


What things have happened in your life, that might give you an invitation to be Jesus to someone else?  What does "becoming all things to all people" look like in your life? Who has come alongside you?  Who might God have you come alongside?

Dear Heavenly Father,  Thank you for your faithfulness to ALWAYS walk with me through the valleys.  Thank you for your promises to strengthen me, and help me, and uphold me with you righteous right 
hand.  Hang on to me always and when I come through, give me compassion to help those who now walk the path I've walked.  Give me patience, and love, and your Truth to share.  Enable me to listen and weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice.  Give me a vision of what it means to become all things to all people and let me walk in your ways.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Be blessed....

32 comments:

  1. Wow, Bev. I'd say God has indeed made you all things to all people. I pray that your season of hardships will ease up though, and that you will soon bear the fruit of your surgery and following doctor's orders! Thank you for being so open and vulnerable to share different difficulties in your life. It truly makes a difference when we read of others who have struggled with things we struggle with, and have made it through to the other side.

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    1. Lisa,
      Yes, when I read over my post, I think...what a list. But God has used all of it to build compassion in me where there would have been none otherwise. I hope my stories bring hope that God will bring us THROUGH to the other side. Thank you for your continued prayers.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  2. You are certainly making good use of this "down time." So glad to hear the you have made progress in healing that foot. And it sounds as if lots of other things are going on in your heart as well.

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    1. Michele,
      I'm trying to make good use of this time, though I do admit to some Netflix binge watching lol! God is ALWAYS stirring something...it's just a matter if we will listen and obey. Thanks for your continued prayers sweet friend.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  3. I'm joining you from the Embracing Everyday link up today. You have quite a list of past posts that I can relate to. I'm sure that your words resonate with many people and I'm happy God laid it on your heart to blog about your experiences. Our pain is our purpose and that is just how God wants it to be. He is faithful!
    Patti

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    1. Patti,
      So good to have you here!! It took a long time, but God convinced me that the only way I could relate to others is if I risked being vulnerable. Hard to do, but it opens doors to sharing Christ...well worth the cost. "Our pain is our purpose." Amen.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  4. Sharing with others can be our best work every! We all need to be heard and learn!
    I'm so glad you're healing well!!
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com
    #glimpsesofhisbeauty

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    1. Jodie,
      Boy, do we all need to be heard and have our feelings validated - without a doubt! While I recuperate, I'm not making a very good fashion statement lol. Thanks for your well wishes!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  5. Bev, I'm glad you're healing! You share so honestly in this post, and I admire you for doing so. Keep up the good fight of faith! Visiting from #godsizeddreams.

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    1. Sarah,
      I know you believe, that as writers, we are called to share our trials as part of our testimony to God's goodness and to bring HIM the glory. Just trying to follow His guiding. Fighting the good fight with you!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  6. Bev I just prayed for you in your recovery. What a wonderful perspective on this verse! Thankful for people like you who see all things as purposeful and useful in God's hands!

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    1. Bethany,
      Thank you so much for lifting me up in prayer - I truly feel it!! I am trying to find purpose in all this surgery....some days are easier than others, but thank you for the encouragement!!
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  7. Bev, You're doing this sharing so well! I hadn't considered before the verse here going along with 2Cor1:3-7 before, but it ties right in very well. I am praying for your recovery. Hugs, Joanne

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    1. Joanne,
      Thank you, friend, for your sweet words of encouragement - they keep me going! I'm glad God, through me, gave you something to chew on today. Keep the prayers coming - I truly appreciate them!
      Blessings and ((hugs)),
      Bev xx

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  8. Such an insightful perspective, Bev. Never considered that verse in that way. Thanks for sharing. Glad you're healing up nicely. ((hug))

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    1. Brenda,
      I love how God is always giving us new insights on previously read scriptures - that's what makes them "alive". Thank you for the prayers and continued encouragement!
      Blessings and ((hugs)) back,
      Bev xx

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  9. I love walking with you and am always amazed that we share so much in common. Your open heart has been a blessing to me and your words a gift just when I needed them. God is using you to teach so many about common challenges. You are giving a voice to those who need one. Thank you and blessings on your continued journey.

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    1. Mary,
      Thanks, Mary, I'm trying. I am learning that it is only in being willing to be vulnerable that we can minister to others who share the same journey. If God can use my life to encourage someone else...then so be it.
      Blessings sweet friend,
      Bev xx

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  10. Dear Bev, I've only recently begun visiting your blog. I must tell you part of the reason I return is your amazing smile. Who would have guessed the challenges behind it? You epitomize what Kathy Meeker calls the choice of trust in her recent blog post. One of the hard things I think we have to accept is that there's no limit to the challenges God can allow into our lives. But if we want to claim His limitless blessings, we must accept His limitless ways to grow us up. Prayers for continued healing and inner peace.

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    1. Alice,
      Welcome! I'm so glad you keep coming back :) Thank you so much for your sweet and encouraging words. So true that if we claim His limitless blessings, He will give us grace to handle limitless challenges. I have not experienced anything yet that God has failed to see me through.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  11. Awww, Bev. What a beautiful testimony God has created within your life. He's given you many opportunities to learn and to be able to share His love with others. You are beautiful, my friend. Inside and out.

    For me, God has given me openings for sharing with others out of the pain of infertility. The adoption journey, which is ongoing. Learning how to mother children who have abandonment as a wound can be painful for the child, and for the mother. But it's definitely been something that has drawn me closer to the Lord. And rejection. Yes, that's a big wound God has been healing in my life.

    I'm praying that God will show me if there is someone He wants me to come alongside. LOVED this post, sweet friend.

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    1. Jeanne,
      Infertility is one thing I haven't experienced, but I know that God has and will use it in your life to minister to others. Our hurts and struggles do definitely draw us into a place of reliance and dependence on God (ultimately where He wants us to be). I know He will show you whom he wants you to come alongside. With your caring heart, I know He'll use you in big ways!
      Blessings sweet friend,
      Bev xx

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  12. Loved reading this Bev. It's so true, God keeps growing us through all the unexpected twists and turns of life. Sometimes it is difficult to accept life's rejection of our plans, yet I am so grateful we always have welcoming arms to fall into when things get tough. God is right there with us in the midst of the broken moments, spilled milk, and pity parties...using trials to shape us into the image of His Son.

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  13. I see a book of Memoirs in your future! xo

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  14. How cool is that?! You are a voice and heart for those who've walked where you've walked, Bev. I feel that same way about my ministry. It is formed out of and around the many wounds and trials I've had to walk through but could have only made it with the help and empowerment of the Lord. I resonate with many of the experiences you've gone through. Mine are: having RA, breast cancer, shingles that has turned into PHN, persecution and unfairness in the ministry, a battle with resentment that really colored the way I looked my mate and others, etc. The list could go on, but those are the main ones that rise to the top. The longer I live, the more I have to add too! ha! But you've reminded us that those wounds and trials are a good thing in the hands of our Father! He is such a beautiful Redeemer!

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    1. Beth,
      Not that I am encouraged that you have had so many things to deal with in life, but I see what a beautiful ministry you have and I see how you have used the trials you've endured to minister to others!! Our Lord, is indeed, such a beautiful Redeemer! He can bring good from even the most dire circumstances. Thank you for sharing here today!
      Blessings sweet friend,
      Bev xx

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  15. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.--2 Corinthians 1:3-7

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    1. Loretta,
      What a beautiful scripture that perfectly sums up my whole post. We are called to share in Christ's suffering so that we can have a glimpse of what He endured for us, but also so that we can comfort others in their times of suffering. This is a lesson that I try to carry forward from all the trials I have been "blessed" to endure. Thank you for sharing a wonderful scripture that captures this perfectly.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  16. You are proof, Bev, that "God brings beauty from the ashes." The beauty is how diligently you've turned the pain and trouble in your life into help and encouragement for others. We all pray for your continued healing (So glad your shingles have cleared up!) and delightful blessings as you "share with others in joy, and gladness, and victory!"

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    1. Nancy,
      God has indeed brought much beauty from the ashes in my life and I am filled with the conviction to tell about His goodness so that He might be glorified. I don't think I would have an ounce of compassion had I not been through some of my life's storms. Thank you for your continued prayers and I look forward to sharing my victory through this trial.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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  17. I am so thankful to hear you are making progress in your healing. I am a firm believer that God uses our trials for His glory, and so that we can be more relatable to those struggling behind us. I am thankful for your words and how you share so openly and honestly about your life. Blessings!

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    1. Barbie,
      Relatable is a good word. I take some of my cues from David, in the Psalms, who shares openly his struggles, his thanksgiving, his praises, and God's answers to prayer. All of our life's struggles can be used for His glory.
      Blessings,
      Bev xx

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