About 4 months ago I found out that Deeper Still was coming to Birmingham. I gathered up a few of my close friends and we made plans to attend. It is, without a doubt, one of the best things I did all year.
Imagine for a moment, almost 14,000 women being taught by 3 of the best female Bible teachers of our time. It will take me months to process what I learned in a short day and a half. But here are a few of my favorites that I took from the weekend.
Friday night, Kay Arthur filled us with the book of Matthew. She taught about Christ. Who is He? What is the cost of the cross? How do we weigh the gains against the losses in following Him? She said “Jesus is not someone or something that you add to your life. Like salt. True repentance is having a complete change of mind about the Kingdom of God, then Jesus BECOMES your life.”
I can relate to this. Too frequently I look and find that Jesus is just seasoning my life. Sometimes He’s the sugar in my lemonade and other times He’s the sprinkles on my 2 layer chocolate cake. Either way, He’s simply added to whatever else is going on. I need to make sure He’s my WHOLE life. Each and every day of my life.
Then we began Saturday morning with Priscilla Shirer. I had never heard her speak before and all I can say is WOW. That’s it. WOW! She taught primarily from 2 Kings 13, but the verse she quoted out of 2 Chronicles 20:12 is what spoke to me the most. “…for we have no power to face this vast army [enemy] that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you”. I was reminded that my homeschooling needs to be a joint effort. I have been trying to do it in my own strength, which quite honestly was depleted months ago! I need to keep my focus on Him and each morning draw my strength from His unlimited power.
It was all wrapped up for me when she said, “God has great things for you, but He’s not going to put them directly into your hand. He will put them within your reach.” I feel that I’ve been called to homeschool my kids during this time of my life. This has the possibility to be a positive, enriching experience within the life of my family. However, it isn’t going to be given to me on a silver platter. I need to pray hard and work hard so it can be all God wants it to be.
And last, but certainly not least, was the afternoon with Beth Moore. I love her passion. The way she loves Jesus, her family and the women who come to hear her speak. It’s open and honest and raw. It’s refreshing and real. I prayed for her in the months after buying our tickets. I knew God would use her to speak to me.
Rewind to January of this year. I began a study called “Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only“. This is obviously a study about the life of Jesus, but the thing that struck a chord with me was said about Mary, Jesus’ mother. In the book of Luke it says, “she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19 and 2:51).
When I read that passage during the study, once in relation to the shepherds coming to see Jesus and once after he was found sitting among the teachers in the temple courts, I related to Mary in a way I hadn’t before. At times, I too have taken myself out of the moment to “soak up a memory”. Maybe it was my first born baby splashing happily in a tub of soapy water or my little boy snuggled next to our dog at the foot of his bed on a cool night, not a cover in sight.
Sure my kids won’t grow up to be the King of Kings, contrary to their attitude sometimes, but these are special moments for me. Taking time to notice them in the midst of laundry, clogged toilets, sibling rivalry, grocery lists, and life in general needs to be purposeful.
I learned that earlier this year, but I had forgotten. Is it any wonder that Beth’s message Saturday was on our treasures? She told us “the Lord will give you things to treasure up and satan will do all he can to take them away or diminish them”. This is SO true! Is it easier for you to recall your offenses or your treasures?
It takes time to ponder. It takes time to sit at His feet and renew our strength. This is the cost of the cross. Do you have the time?
3 Comments
Wow. Well-said.
Thanks, Jodi. Great post. I really needed the part about Jesus being more than the seasoning in my life. And I am glad to see you knowing how important it is to raise your children in the Lord. I watch my children, who have become men, and more than anything else, am glad that they are men of God.
Powerful insights!! Thank you for sharing them! So glad you got to go!