In the roll of Minister’s Wife
"Now playing the role of Minister’s Wife", should have been announced a few times in my life when I was an actual naive young girl trying to be what others wanted me to be.
In the
church environment, there becomes a standard of how you are to walk and talk
and even, dress.
At 18, I was
a youth leader in my church which amazed me at the time that the church people
would allow me to teach, but I was very committed and on fire for God so they
did.
In that very
monumental year of being 18, I fell in love, married and joined a touring
Contemporary Christian singing group. Once back at home, after touring life, my
husband settled into his career as a Minister of Music and Youth in the
Southern Baptist church.
My roll of
Minister’s wife began and I became so worried about what others thought, I lost
my authentic self along the way. I misplaced who I was organically. Was it valuable?
Did I minister? Yes. But, not being authentic with myself, with my
co-Christians, and God…I could have been so much more.
It’s good to
be sensitive to other’s opinions, especially in a church situation, but I
smothered my personality and even dressed the part.
I saw the original
fire fade and though I have many fond memories and experienced much spiritual
growth through those years, it took me awhile before I realized that my overall
priority was playing the role. That became my focus...
When you
playact, you are hypocritical, two-faced and somewhat deceitful. You are disingenuous.
You are not the whole functioning of what Christ wants. He needs the whole being,
not partial commitment.
God doesn't want great actors, he wants great believers. Getting real with God is what we
all should do. He knows we have warts, so discuss them, ask for help and quit
trying to hide them.
Matthew 6:1 (the Message version) says, “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.”
Just as you
lead in your church, or perform a song, teach a class, we have to remind
ourselves that God can use the worse examples of our talents to fulfill his
will. Of course, do your best, but just do not pretend that it’s your skills
and talent that will work the magic of Christ’s plan.
If you
remember, it’s “Make a joyful noise….” Anything better than noise, is just for
the other Christian’s enjoyment.
The sound we
make is not what is crucial; it is the intent of our heart....why we sing? for what benefit do we sing, teach or lead?
Do we play the role of Christian or do we live it? Whose applause is more important?
God bless
and have an Awesome Day!
Comments
Post a Comment