New Day. New Year. New Mercies.

“Make the most of every opportunity for the days are evil.”- Eph. 5:16

Four years ago today I walked through the doors of the World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta and waited in many a long line at my first ever Passion Conference. I was in a very exciting season of my life at the time. Now, it was not without it’s hardships, but it was a season were I had been called to “make the most of an opportunity…” and the opportunity was time that I had been given as a single young lady.

In 2007  I read something I want to share with you. God made it very clear to me in that moment that he was not just going to drop a husband in my lap. Which was what I wanted him to do at the time. If that was what I was waiting on Him to do I was going to be waiting a long time. I was  21-years old at the time and the Lord whispered in my heart, make the most of the opportunity of time I've given you right now as a single. Maximize this season for my glory. Run the race I've set before you. Along the journey you'll meet someone who is running in the same direction, but you're not going to meet him in your comfort zone. 


This is what I read. It comes from the book "Lady in Waiting." I changed a few things to make it applicable to guys as well. Learning how be diligent with the time you have is a lesson we can all learn. 

If the Lord wants to give you a man, He does not need your clever “chance rendezvous.” This is not advocating that you avoid men completely and expect the Lord to “UPS” His choice to your front door. You need to participate in activities that involve  men and women, but be sensitive to your motives whenever you find yourself in the presense of “available men.” Consider this Scripture whenever checking your motives and your pulse! Proverbs 16:2 (NIV) says, “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him but motives are weighed by the Lord.”

Understanding God’s promised provision for windows, Naomi sent Ruth to gather  grain in the field of a kinsman. Ruth was willing to use her life working diligently  at whatever her Lord called her to do. She would not be paralyzed by her lack of a husband. “And Ruth the Moabities said to Naomi, ‘Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I may find favor.’ And she said to her, ‘Go, my daughter’” (Ruth 2:2). She also did not allow the fact that she was a stranger from Moab to cause her to fear while she was gleaning in a strange field. Ruth was the “new girl in town,” an obvious newcomer, but she was not afraid to walk into a totally unfamiliar situation. Countless single women stay home rather than travel alone into the unknown. They not only miss out on being encouraged by others, but also are not exposed to new relationships when they remain at home tied up by cords of fear and feeling sorry for themselves.

If a single woman/man allows the fearful prospect of meeting new people and new challenges to keep her at home, she may find herself bored and lonely while all the time missing many satisfying and fulfilling experiences. Don’t stay home as a fearful single woman. Take the step of faith and volunteer. Get involved and see what you have been missing.

Are you busy serving Jesus during your free time, or do you waste hours trying to pursue and snag an available guy or girl? Ruth was a widow, but she did not use her time sponsoring pity parties for all unhappy single women and men to gather and compare the misery of datelessness. When she and Naomi moved back to Bethlehem, Ruth did not waste a moment feeling sorry for herself. She went right to work. Instead of being drained by her discouraging circumstances, she took advantage of them and diligently embraced each day.

Ruth came to the God of Israel after years of living in darkness, but He gladly received her service even though she was a Moabite foreigner. She bound herself to the service of the Lord, interweaving her service with Him like the braiding of a heavy rope. Isaiah 56:6-7 (NIV) refers to a foreigner binding himself (or herself) to the Lord and Him willingly receiving their “diligent” service: “And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve Him…these I will bring to My holy mountain…”

Are you tightly bound to the Lord, serving Him diligently, or has your relationship and service been unraveling over the years as you continue to be single and not married? Has resentment  and self-pity unraveled what used to be a tightly woven labor for the Lord? You must be sensitive to the things and situations that distract you from redeeming your free time.

Some singles see the lack of a mate  as God denying them something for a more “noble purpose”—a cross to bear! Our selfish nature tends to focus on what we do not have rather than on what we do have—free time—that can be used for others and ourselves. Is your life on hold until you have someone to hold?

It is doubtful that there could ever be a better time to serve Jesus than this “moment” of singleness. Rather than wasting precious moments fantasizing about an earthly loves, take advantage of your free hours each day to serve the Lord of Heaven. If you are frustrated and distracted, rather than fruitfully serving Jesus, then ask Him right now to adjust your vision.

As Ruth diligently worked at what she could, God sent her a man to protect and provide for her. God will do the same for you  if that is His plan. Is there a ministry opportunity you should be working with? Why not consider a short-term mission trip? Don’t worry about that certain guy you’ve had your eye on for a while. If he is God’s best for you, he will be there when you return. Your single state may not be permanent, but it definitely is not to be a comatose state until your “Prince Charming” arrives and whisks you off to his castle. Single women are not “Sleeping Beauties” waiting for their prince to fight his way through the throns and past the wicked witch to finally kiss them awake. This is an illusion often used by the enemy to defraud many a young lady.

Is there an opportunity of service that you have avoided because you can’t give up your “post on the castle wall” looking for your knight in shining armor? Is there an application for a summer ministry waiting for you to fill it out? Such a chance may come again next summer, but then it will be even harder to respond to the prospect of serving, for time brings more and more distractions. As you get older, you assume more obligations and responsibilities that demand your time and attention. Some distractions will make serving Jesus even more difficult. Have you given Jesus full reign over your time?  Limitless opportunities exist. These ministries are available right this moment. They don’t’ demand a Bible college education. The only requirement is a single woman or man who desires to use their time wisely. 

God had given me the opportunity of time. What was I going to do with it? I decided to take FULL ADVANTAGE of  it and haven’t looked back.

Since that moment it has been an adventure full of mountaintops and valleys; but God has made himself known in all seasons. Through tears and laughter and everything in between God has been faithful.

I was all of 23-years old and had just stepped off a plane 2 weeks prior from a mission trip to Nicaragua. Still adjusting to life back in America I walked through the, what are now familiar doors, of the World Congress Center with my wonderful group of friends. 

The year leading up to Passion 2010 was one full of me taking opportunities to volunteer at conference, traveling, learn, work, meet new people, teach the Word to students, leading worship, and learning how to work through conflict, how to love my enemies and see God restore broken friendships. It had been one of the most emotional years and spiritually challenging I’d had in a while, but not any less full of God’s mercy and grace in every moment.

So, as I walked through those Passion Conference doors it was another thing I was checking off my list. Another opportunity I was going to make the most of.

I had always wanted to go to Passion, but it wasn’t until that year that I finally made the decision that I was going to go. The only thing holding me back from going was myself.  That week was life-changing and a catalyst in many ways to many more opportunities that I am so thankful for today.

At Passion 2010 I do remember in my family group saying at the end of the week that I went into that week at Passion desiring healing. I didn’t even plan on saying that until it was my turn to share and it just came out—but out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. But, that was indeed what I needed and wanted.

Sitting in the World Congress Center in January 2010 I remember Beth Moore saying, “Do not try and run someone else’s race. You and I have been equipped with all we need in Christ Jesus to do what we’re called to do.”

I’m reminded all the time how I’m not qualified to do what God has called me to do. No matter how much education or experience I gain I’ll never be qualified on my own. The disciples were ordinary, uneducated men; what made them qualified was that they had been with Jesus. Jesus Christ alone is who qualifies us.

Just a few weeks ago while walking to Philips’s Arena for a concert I walked past the World Congress Center, looked over at the Georgia Dome and looked up at the OMNI hotel and felt a bit nostalgic in that moment. Oh, how those places hold such cherished memories to me. I’ve been to Passion many times after 2010, but that year will always be special to me; because I chose to make the most of the opportunity I had been given, and I’m forever in awe of the ripple effects.

Going into 2014 I feel a similar calling/challenge set before me: to make the most of the opportunities God gives me, and not to take them for granted! I need not be fearful if I  have the Lord’s favor. To not shrink back and settle for what would be easy and comfortable, but to be thankful for the opportunities He has given me, and embrace the ones he has yet to give. To allow them to accomplish the work he desires them to accomplish. 

To embrace opportunities to: share my story, learn from my mistakes and not allow them to define me, to let go of the past, trust God to redeem the past and move forward in faith to experience all that is ahead.

Opportunities are simply gifts set before you—it’s up to you what you do with them.

Aside from that I’m also challenged to be brave. To love people, yes. Continue to be sweet and understand, yes--but to stand up for myself. If there is one thing I have seen as a cycle in my life (that I’m praying in 2014 to see end) it’s my tendency to let myself be walked over or taken advantage of  in order to keep the peace. I’m not playing victim here! I let people do it, and it needs to stop. Out of fear of confrontation I’ll just not speak-up sometimes when I need to.

I deeply desire God to help me be courageous (I know courage is in there somewhere because I have His spirit. I just have to walk in it).

I try to be respectful and understanding, but I can’t do that at the expense of my conscience convictions, and dignity. To not just know who I am in Christ but really own it and walk in it! By no means is that a call to behave entitled (Read Phil. 2) but when the moment calls for it I can no longer be afraid to stand up for myself and say whatever may need to said.

For years, pretty much my whole life, I was really good at hiding. I always wanted to be the “good girl.” I aimed to please! I never wanted to disappoint anyone. So, the moment that I felt like I had or was letting someone down shame would envelope me and I would respond from a place of shame, and that response was usually a sinful one, and I carried that into adulthood. 

The Lord has already begun to help me in overcoming this—to stop hiding! Stop trying to “please” everyone all the time! I need to be FAR more concerned with being obedient to the Lord than making everyone and their mama happy because it’s just not going to happen. 

There is always going to be someone who just doesn’t like us for whatever reason, there is always going to be someone who we can never do enough for. I’m having to let the need to please go this year!

To no longer try to keep up appearances--It’s okay to not be okay. We all need to start being more honest versions of ourselves and with each other. More importantly with God! To not sweep things under the rug thinking that if we busy ourselves enough, avoid it, don’t talk it then whatever “it” is will go away. It won’t! Sweeping things under the rug is still a form dishonesty no matter how hard we try to justify it.

“If something is still impacting your present it’s not in your past.”- Pete Wilson Let Hope In

I’m challenged to be real, in love, with people. To just call stuff what it is. It will take time. It does not come natural to me at all to be that way, but I know I have to be. I have very few pet-peeves but one of my biggest is when someone keeps the truth about something/situation/person you name it, out of fear of my reaction. 

We're not held accountable for how others respond. We're held accountable to how we respond. 

 We keep stuff to ourselves that we should share thinking we are helping by not saying anything, but really it's just dishonesty. It’s not loving someone enough to tell the whole truth. I respect realness and honesty…even when it hurts. I respect it and appreciate it, when it’s done in love and kindness. Because even if the truth hurts the healing process is much easier, because the truth will set you free. 

I share all that to say: What opportunities has God given you in the past that you made the most of? Thank Him for them! What opportunities do you have set before you this year? Thank Him in advance and embrace those opportunities when they come. Pray and look for opportunities to bring God glory and further His Kingdom this year!

This year, lets be more honest versions of ourselves! In Christ the shame is gone, we have no need to hide! Lets love God and Love people, and sometimes loving someone means having uncomfortable conversations. Sometimes the uncomfortable is not because it's bad news. It could be really excited news, it's just an awkward conversation. Not all hard conversations are necessary because there is something to say that the other person might not want to hear. It's just uncomfortable. 

Now, don’t go looking for a fight, but don’t be afraid of one either. Even the good fights. Fight for you friendships, marriages, relationships, families,  health, finances , your Churches, your ministries...etc. Some fights are worth having when they are fights for each other not against each other.

No more sweeping things under the rug—thinking if we busy ourselves enough, don’t talk about it anymore, avoid that person(s) it’ll magically go away. That’s not called moving on, letting go, or healing that is called suppressing. Be honest with yourself and with others this year (I’m preaching to myself this entire time just so you know).  Lets pull those things out into the light and find healing in Jesus!

I truly believe that 2014 has the potential to be an amazing year if we will make the most of the opportunity that has been set before us! New Day. New Year. New Mercies!

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.- Isa. 43:19