Living On PitchMay the Lord give us wisdom to remain planted in the Word of God., May we be like trees that are planted by the rivers of water., May we bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. May your plant based diet of spiritual food help you grow and remain healthy in God’s grace.
The two words on the form said fully meets. My performance review was done and it said I was fully meeting the goals of the department and those I set for myself. One quick moment of rejoicing led to another moment of self-reflection and a little more of a reality check. I began to think Lord am I fully meeting your standards? Am I doing the kingdom work that is required of me? I’m going to church, staying active in ministry, trying to serve others, I think I have it right but I really don’t. I know I don’t always measure up and I know I can do better. My ratings on taming my tongue, procrastination and bible study alone can easily knock me down from thinking I’m something that I’m not. Add in fasting and praying and I’m in no better position to fully meet or measure up to any spiritual standards. So I say a quick prayer and ask the Lord to help me live purposefully on pitch. I ask Him to guide me , help me guard my mind, heart and life to fully meet what He requires. Thank God for His grace and mercy which fully meets me at the point of my need. The grace of God is sufficient and still amazing. I am once again reminded that without God I can do nothing and without Him I would surely fail.
James 4:10 ESV Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
As I watched the President of the United States speak at the funeral services for Rev. Clementa Pinckney (a beloved pastor and public servant) in South Carolina, I could not help but reflect and be encouraged by these two words: AMAZING GRACE!! God’s grace is still amazing even in the midst of tragedy.
Here’s an important lesson I am learning and that is I am a grace leader, not a praise and worship leader but a grace leader. We need more grace leaders in the church. Singing about God’s grace is truly amazing but I am sometimes amazed at my own lack of grace shown toward others . God’s grace towards me challenges me to extend grace, be an example of grace as a ministry leader and speak with grace. I must sprinkle grace into my conversations and my daily living. Grace talk leaves people wondering how could they be so kind and tenderhearted? How can they be so loving and forgiving toward each other? It can only be done by and through the grace of God. I must keep focused on how gracious God is towards me so I can be gracious towards others. I am learning more and more, there should be sprinkles of grace throughout my conversations and daily living. I have learned when expressing my frustrations always remember to keep it a conversation, not an accusation. Ephesians 4:32(NLT) helps me lead with grace. It says, Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God, through Christ has forgiven you.
