Blessed....but less

My mom, grandma, and sister all came to see me today. It was good to see my family and catch up on the happenings. Everyone is still doing well. Though I confess it is harder and harder to look and see them all getting older. Especially my parents and grandparents. Reminds me just how short life truly is.

While here, the four of us ventured over to Mardels, the ‘get anything Christian (ie: mentions Jesus and has a fish or cross on it)’ store. I was needing some new tunes, so I picked up a couple of CDs. My sister got one as well. Kari Jobe is the womans name. www.karijobe.com I’ve been familiar with her for a couple of years now and have been nothing but blown away. She was a worship leader at Christ for the Nations institute for a time and I believe is now a worship leader and music pastor at gateway church somewhere in the Dallas area.
I quickly snagged the CD and copied it quickly before sending it home with the family. While it was downloading I read through the acknowledgements and thanks. In the back was a note from Kari explaining how the album came about and how God grew and inspired her over the course of the project. One thing she said struck me powerfully.

“People are affected by our obedience(to God).”

No truer words could have been said. Many times it is in the patient waiting that God brings about the ultimate miracles and gives us that last bit of inspiration and knowledge that is needed to achieve all that God desires for our lives and our work. If Kari hadn’t been patient and obedient to the leading of God, the album wouldn’t have been all that God desired it to be. And it is good! I’m glad I don’t have to listen and be disappointed by what a lousy album a lack of obedience would have resulted in. Would God have blessed it? Yes, but could it have been all that he desired and planned it to be? No. It is in the follow through that the fullness of blessing is found.

That makes me wonder that if in my life I often times sell myself short. Lately I’ve been having conversations with a friend of mine that have been challenging me (and I think them) quite a bit. One question that has come out it is “Are we selling ourselves short of something better?” The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!” We have been. While our conversations have been limited to a couple areas of life, it definitely carries over and permeates everything. Do I desire to see the fullness of God lived out in every aspect of my life? Or do I lack obedience and follow-through, and thus, end up with something blessed…but less.

Lord show me the areas of my life where I am settling for less than what you have. Abba, then give me strength and perseverance to follow-through with the removal of these life choking weeds in my life. For your strength is all I have. Your breath, my only intake. Your word, my only nourishment.