Conviction

As I was cleaning out my closet yesterday, deciding what to keep and what to give away, throw away or sell, and generally reorganizing, I listened to several sermons by Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. I enjoy listening to many of his sermons because he takes every single one of them back to Christ. And without a trace of apology about the Gospel. At this point in my life, looking at a very different sort of future than the get married-have kids-work 35 years at the same job-retire at the lake formula, feeling a need to minister through music, I need to get back to the basics, spiritually.

And wouldn't you know it? God used these sermons not only to help me clean my closet, but also my heart.

One of the biggest convictions was that of idolatry. I've been a semi-Type A person most of my life. I get things done, and generally quite well. That also makes me a bit of a people-pleaser. People-pleasing is not a sin until it becomes a continual search for approval from people instead of God. And if God gives the go-ahead to do something, we are to test it, yes, but not drag our feet until someone sings our praises before we do what we are to do. I have been idolizing human approval instead of trusting God to go forward, speaking the truth- even just the truth that I am moving to TN- without apology. After all, is THIS not part of my witness, my testimony?

In addition, after a most delightful conversation with my dear friend, Amber, I plan to make a list of God's blessings in my life. When the going gets tough and tougher, it will serve as a good reminder that God is in control and that he loves me through it all. I might encourage you to do the same!