If you would've asked me 30 years ago, if I would stand up in front of a large group of people and invite them to know Jesus more, I would've said, "No way!". Public speaking made me feel sick just thinking about it. I like behind the scenes serving. I enjoyed more of the deeper conversations over coffee.
As I grew older, I was invited to share more of my story with others in larger settings.
This came with an internal conflict of not feeling enough, that still rears its ugly head.
"You aren't enough. You don't have what it takes. You aren't equipped and on and on." We call this shame. It has been a tactic of the enemy since the beginning of time.
We all have an inner narrative inside of us. One of my greatest privileges is walking with others as they share their 'story within'.
What is your 'story within'?
This unleashing and inviting others to journey with you could be a game changer in experiencing more of who God is and who He created you to be. I invite you to take a few minutes and watch my You Tube Video @aholypausespiritualdirection on Inner Critic.
I have heard Curt Thompson (podcast Being Known) say, "The most important thing in life is paying attention to what we are paying attention to."
A holy pause is our reminder to stop, notice, and invite God to speak to us.
A shift in my noticing of this voice, "You are not enough", occurred a few years ago. (I still battle this voice today.) I decided to allow it to come to the surface and be curious about it without judgment. The truth is, we aren't enough but Jesus is. Through time with my spiritual director, I had a safe space to process and go deeper in my curiosity and give this narrative a new story with the power of the Holy Spirit. This lead me into a path of hearing God's voice more clearly as I noticed the voices of shame.
God says something happens when take our thoughts captive to Him and we hear His voice of love, grace and mercy. "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:5
"We have the mind of Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:16b
After being invited to share more of Jesus with a group of amazing women from Porter Memorial Baptist Church this past weekend to learn that 'Jesus is Over All', I reminded myself that this voice of shame lost its grip on me! And it can for you too! Jesus was enough this weekend and He always will be. I asked this group who has an inner critic. I believe every single woman raised her hand. This is a journey of walking through our shame. It takes time. Be kind to yourself.
A Holy Pause~
Pausing and noticing is the first step to freedom. We break the stronghold it has and move to allowing the Holy Spirit to do a deep inner work in us.
Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16a
Next, comes an offering with open hands to invite God into this space with us.
Wait patiently to see what He shares with you.
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ" Ephesians 3:18
May you experience a deeper journey with Christ today! Thank you, Porter women, for a special weekend. It was a gift.
Pay attention to what you are paying attention to.
I would love to chat with you about Spiritual Direction! www.holypause.com and sign up for a free consultation to learn more. I am also offering retreats if you or a group would like to learn more. I have information on my website.
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