You know you don’t have to save the world by trying to reach everyone in the world.

You don’t have to dream and plan and strategize how you can maximize your potential on some grandiose scale.

You don’t have to wonder what type of platform will be the best one so your voice can be heard.

You don’t have to worry and fret over feeling stuck and trapped and that you are not doing what you’re supposed to be doing.

You don’t have to chase down every opportunity wondering if “this is the one that gets me somewhere.”

You don’t have to ask questions like “do I have what it takes?” or “am I even making a difference?” or “what am I supposed to do in this world?”

We are too busy looking for great things that are really small things.
We chase the bright lights, when the ones fading need attention.
We look for the book deal, the record signing, who’s who and do they know me and follow me on Twitter.
We spin in circles putting out fires, and at the same time creating new ones.

S T O P.

Jesus says the last shall be first, and the first shall be last. Simplicity and singleness is where it’s at.

When Jesus gave the paragraph of the Sheep and the Goats…they were hanging out together, but at one point they were separated. They appeared to be doing the right thing on the outside, but the goats were doing it because they were told to, and it landed their face on the cover of a magazine, or got them the next speaking gig.

The sheep were doing it anyway, unaware the hugeness of it, but it was woven into their lives so simply.

You feel it. The huge God-awesome-sized potential in the thick of your gut….churning…you wondering WHEN you’ll have the chance. You’ve already had it. Are you the sheep or the goat? Already knowing what the right thing is to do, or waiting for someone to tell you, or someone to notice?

If you have to ask where, then you’re not a sheep. Jesus said the least of these.

Your ‘big break’ is breaking your heart. Or rather let God break it.

-When was the last time you visited a child dying of cancer in the hospital?
-When was the last time you looked the homeless man in the eye instead of looking away because it was so awkward?
-When was the last time you gave someone $100 when you really didn’t have it, but they couldn’t afford groceries?
-When was the last time you stepped up to protect or defend the defenseless (abused or neglected children, the lonely, suicidal)
-When was the last time you handed out hope like the world hands out false promises?
-When was the last time you actually prayed on your face, tears flowing, heart wrenched for someone that you’ve said “I’ll pray for you.”
-When was the last time you grabbed your son and daughter and said “I love you, and I’m so proud of you?”

2009 flew by, 2010 is upon us.

STOP, breathe…..let’s become teachable this next year.

I got up out….I stood on the mountain high
Even felt the warm sun on my face and the wind against my skin
Mountaintop times seem to last forever…almost promising false hope
You think your footing is sure again, you think you’re strong
But one slip of the foot and pride hath caused the fall
You’re being crushed underfoot and ground to a powder
Where you were supposed to trample you are now trampled

Where is the hope? Is the secret exposed?
The truth IS the truth
Whether you want to believe it or not.
But are you seeking or running from truth itself?

I have gone so low swearing to never arrive back again
But here I find myself as low as ever could be
Hope where is your hand? What is the truth?
Can I ever find a drink in this dry land?

Your mercies are new every morning
But why do I think they are not for me?
My worth is nothing, I’m too far used
To have You even desire to look at me.
Why do I throw off the cloak of grace
That you are chasing to throw around me?

I am tired of running. Where do I start?
It’s still not right, I am tired of trying
Show me what I have to do.
Any pain of the journey is better than the sentence of guilt
That hangs so heavy on me like chains that won’t relent

You throw down the burden not to be picked up again
But when You aren’t looking I grab it and run away
Please don’t stop pursuing me, run so hard that I fall in exhaust
If I have to be broken to nothing to be made new again
Anything is better than the sin I am in.

-Jenny Miller