As I sit on my cushion, typing on my mini laptop, letting my injury from a fall heal, my mind has been allowed much time to ponder. Sometimes when the Lord wants my attention He tends to stop me in my tracks for awhile. Due to my hyperactivity and OCD and other afflictions I have I guess this is necessary. I still don’t like it. I remember Beth Moore teaching one time that God told her she could bow her knees or He could break her legs. Better to bow. It could be I am just clumsy, either way I am fairly immobile.
I have been feeling very humbled and more aware of how fragile and uncertain life is. I am thankful for life. I love life and I love people. Especially my family. In my feeble state I have been reflecting on what God can do with me even though I not able to get up and physically run around doing my tasks. I am learning it isn’t all about doing but about being. I have realized over the last few days I have some more character adjustments I need to make. I am praying for wisdom and God’s help to change. Mostly attitude (heart) and control issues. I am not sure why I feel so overly responsible for everyone in my world. I guess that cliché is true. “Let Go and Let God“. Whew, that is hard. I always think He needs my help. That is arrogant on my part. He wants me to a part of His work but He doesn’t need me, I need Him. We all need Him!
The main reason I began writing today is to share about becoming all God made us to be. It is more than just finding a purpose; instead becoming more like Him. It is so easy to get distracted. As you know we planted a church about 4 years ago. It has been hard with all the tasks to stay focused on my relationship with God. One of our statements is to become a fully devoted follower of Christ. That is my desire.
When we began it was hard to pick a name for the church. We felt led to the name NorthStar. I loved the name from the start. Some thought it was too astrological. New Age. It was a star that led the wise men to Jesus and stars have always been symbolic of directing people to something or someone. Then I learned the NorthStar is actually made up of 3 stars. Symbolic of the Trinity. So I just loved the name and the meaning. Our purpose is to lead people to Jesus so thus NorthStar was named.
Lately, I have been unsure about our name. Wondering if we made the right choice. It is hard to work with on publications and people aren’t sure what kind of people group we are. LOL. Anyway, I have been pondering over the name for several months. Letting my mind wander to cooler names. Cooler logos. Catchier names to attract people.
This morning this scripture jumped off the page at me. I just love it. I just love God. He is so funny the way He does things. Philippians 2:14-16 “Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like STARS in the universe--AS YOU HOLD OUT THE WORD OF LIFE” (emphasis mine). Wow, people reach people. Not names or logos.
As I have watched countless hours of TV this week I can tell you we live in a crooked and depraved generation. I have watched some crazy Christian TV also. As I read this scripture it spoke so much truth to me. We must become pure and blameless in doing our work for the Lord in the world. If we complain and argue and act like the world as we hold out the word of life it is a contradiction and the world will not reach for it. I am guilty of this very thing. We work so hard making our church services great. That is a good thing. It isn’t everything. To quote Henry Blackaby, “You can sit in a garage all day and you will not become a car.” Same with church. Being in the building doesn‘t make us a Christian. It helps us grow to become more like Christ if we know Him. If we don’t know him it is just another self help meeting.
We must shine like stars of the universe as we live our lives inside and outside the church walls. I love the night sky. I always have even as a child. It is so awesome to look up at the contrast of the blackness of the sky and the brightness of the twinkling stars. The different sizes and patterns are spectacular. All unique. They give us light, direction and also beauty. As a Christian in a dark world we can bring light, direction and beauty. Pure beauty and love that only comes from Christ. Be spectacular for Christ. Not a spectacle.
I love our name NorthStar. Be like a star in the universe. SHINE BRIGHT BROTHERS AND SISTERS! The world is watching. The world needs a Savior.
