More on Planning Ahead

Hi! looks like you need more help or incentive to plan ahead for your ministry this year. I get it. Leading in ministry is hard, and adding that on to family, work, and personal responsibilities can be overwhelming. You came to the right place. First, let’s review:

We already established that planning ahead in your ministry can allow you to be a better steward of the resources you have. Unnecessary spending, whether it’s money, resources, or time, is, simply put, wasteful. Instead, anticipate spending by planning efficiently.

Next, we noted that planning ahead lets you disciple completely. Looking at the year of learning and growth that you plan for the women you lead will give you the “big picture” and allow you to make sure you are covering all the kinds of growth we need as healthy Christians. This will also be helpful in coming alongside your pastor and staff in order to support the work of the church, which is vital to a healthy women’s ministry.

Underscoring efficiency in leading is crucial to establishing your ministry as a trustworthy and responsible leader. Constantly playing “catch up” or making last-minute requests gives an impression of someone who is not giving the ministry the priority and attention it deserves.

So how else is planning ahead helpful?

Well, I probably should have added this first, but planning ahead allows you to pray effectively for your ministry. Asking the Holy Spirit to speak to the women you lead in your church as well as those you serve in your community, based on the events and studies you plan, will better prepare their hearts as well as yours. The difference between going into an event that has been bathed in prayer, as opposed to one that has not, is palpable. Because prayer aligns our hearts with God’s, it gives incomparable peace and direction. You will be blessed by the sense of calm and order that comes out of being able to pray well in advance of your events and studies.

Planning ahead allows us to anticipate problems. While reviewing an event that was scheduled to take place in a few months, but had been planned for over a year in advance, I was made aware of a conflict occurring in that region of the state. Multiple area college graduations were also scheduled on the same weekend, and that would have created difficulty in booking hotel rooms, using area resources, and drawing women to the event. Because we were planning so far in advance, we were able to reschedule the event and move forward.

One last thing to keep in mind as you plan ahead: you’re not invincible. By training yourself and your team to calendar months in advance, and by assigning tasks, meeting regularly to discuss the status of your team members’ roles, and paying careful attention to detail, you’ll be better equipped should you have to sit on the sidelines for some reason. Building strong, confident team members, prepared because they have planned with you, will grow your ministry and help to fulfill the Titus 2 mandate of the older women teaching the younger women.

If you have any questions about this concept, or other topics in leading women in ministry, please feel free to contact me at dmink@sbcv.org. If you’d like to read the first part of this blog, or any of our SBCV Women’s blogs, visit SBCV.org/women .

Are You Shining or Are You Casting a Shadow?

A few days ago, we woke up to a pretty heavy frost. Now, when I say “heavy,” remember we are in coastal Virginia, where we can actually have school delayed because of the threat of snow. So it may not seem heavy to you, but for me it was what I like to refer to as “pretend snow.” Just white enough to get me excited about the real thing.

Later that morning, as I was walking though the bedroom, I glanced through the window and I stopped in my tracks. As the sun was rising high over the house, the heat was melting the frost, but the house was still casting a dark shadow over part of the yard. Where there was no light, the frost was still heavy and cold. But where the sun had melted the frost, the yard still looked green and warm. The drops of dew sparkled like diamonds.

That image stirred the Spirit in me. I stared at the warm, bright grass and I thought about how I didn’t want to be one who cast a shadow over the Light. One who stood in the way of the Light that was shining in others. Nor did I want to stand in the way of His Light shining through me.

You see, Scripture teaches us in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Once we know the Lord as our Savior, it is up to us to shine for Him so others may see Him in us. If we’re not shining, we’re not being living examples of Jesus.

Sister, don’t be afraid to shine for Him!

• Seek His will for your life. Pray. Take a spiritual gift survey. Ask trusted believers what they see in you that reminds them of Jesus.
• Evaluate the talents and gifts that you have. Are you using any of them for His glory? If not, what’s holding you back?
• Stay humble. Remember that the gifts you have are only yours because He gave them to you. Stay connected to the Father and continue to decrease in your opinion of yourself so that the only obvious reason for your gift is the Father.

As we begin this new year, let’s all try to shine and reflect each other’s Light- and let it all point right back to Jesus.

Customizing Christianity

There is a disturbing trend I have been observing in the Christian community. I have seen it everywhere from the screen to the page to the pulpit- and, in my less mature days, I was guilty of it too. 

The Greek word for it is eisegesis. (ice-i-jee-zis). Simply stated, it means to take a truth from the Word of God and use it to suit your own agenda or desires. We do that by disregarding the context in which it is written. It is both dangerous and it is wrong. 

As God breathed His Word into the writers and scribes He used to record His truths, He had very specific and meaningful messages. (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Yes, there are passages of Scripture that can be interpreted in many different ways and may apply to a variety of situations – that is part of the beauty of the Bible. But we are not to extract a phrase or concept and use it to further our personal agenda or purpose, even if that purpose has the best of intentions. 

When we misuse Scripture we are in danger of damaging someone’s opinion of God’s Word and we are leading her into an area where she may begin to misunderstand God’s meaning and purpose for His Word. In essence, we insult God’s Word when we use it for our own gain. 

It’s tempting, particularly in social settings, to try to have something to add to the conversation. We all want to know His Word and use it to glorify Him and lead people to Him. We also want to be able to impart biblical wisdom to the lives of the people we lead and love. However, we cannot and must not treat the Bible like a buffet, picking and choosing what we like and discarding the rest. Neither is it there for us to toss up at a topic and see if it sticks. 

So how do we learn how to use the most important reference Book ever written?

1. Read it. I don’t want to sound sarcastic, but it’s like writing a book report on a book you’ve never actually read. You may be able to summarize an event or extract a quote or two, but you’re going to end up with a “B” at best and you’ll never ace the exam. In addition, the Teacher knows what you’re up to.
2. Use a good commentary. There are free, online commentaries on       BibleGateway.com and available for purchase at LifeWay. Invest in one and use it.  
3. Ask for guidance and wisdom. First, if you are in a church, utilize your Bible teachers, leaders, and staff. (they LOVE to help you apply the Word of God appropriately!)  In addition, as you read, PRAY and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you are reading. (James 1:5) 

As we continue on our journey in this Christian life, let’s not take the easy way. DO the Bible study. LISTEN to the pastor and READ for yourself. I pray you start today, carefully using the Word of God to draw nearer to Him and growing in wisdom. 

Saying Goodbye

My LifeWay store closed last week.

Because I was out of town (ironically at a LifeWay conference) I didn’t even get to say a proper goodbye. Not that I would have; I’m terrible at goodbyes. By terrible, I mean I avoid them at all costs. Ask anyone who has known me and moved away. I didn’t come to their farewell party, didn’t stop by their office with well-wishes, didn’t hang around after church to shake their hand.

Why? Oh, how long do you have to discuss my issues with finality and endings? In addition, I ugly cry at the thought of “one last hug.” So no goodbyes for me. Just profound sadness at the loss of one of my favorite places.

I know. You may be thinking, “Why is she so upset over a store closing? Stores close all the time.” Yes, they do. But not stores like this. This store was a balm. This store was more than a place to shop- it was a place to look for and find tools for the most important kind of growth we can have: our growth and maturity as a Christian. This store, in its own way, supported the work of the church and its mission like no other.

Need a better reference for a particular book of the Bible you are studying? LifeWay run.

Need a birthday/anniversary/wedding/sympathy/any reason card? LifeWay run.

Need a special gift? LifeWay run.

Starting a new Bible study at church and need options? LifeWay run.

Need highlighters that will not bleed through Bible pages? LifeWay run.

Need more VBS materials? LifeWay run.

And, when you find the need for a new Bible and you want be able to hold it, feel it, test the texture of the pages, see the font in the light, consider the study references, and watch how it falls open – the only place to go is, make that was, LifeWay.

When the garish “Store Closing” signs went up I couldn’t even go in. I tried once, but was so overcome with emotion I was afraid the clerk would have called the police or paramedics. I know. I missed all the discounted commentaries and dictionaries and references. But it simply was too sad.

See, I’ve seen some pretty amazing things happen in that store.

I once saw a little boy admit that he had damaged a shelf tag and apologize, and I saw the store manager kneel to hug him and tell him he was forgiven.

I’ve seen countless people come in “accidentally,” only to leave with devotion books, prayer journals, and Bibles.

I’ve seen sweet reunions of friends from a wide assortment of churches and denominations squealing with delight at the sight of old friends and closing out their time together in prayer .

And I’ve seen two people come to know Jesus as their Savior in that very store. If it wasn’t locked up tight I could take you to the very aisles.

To sum it up, I’ve experienced CHURCH at that LifeWay store.

But…

Maybe I’ve been going to a field that was already planted instead of working in a new garden. Have I allowed myself to be too comfortable? After all, anyone can minister to people who are already in a Christian bookstore. Go to the book aisle at Sams Club and see how fertile the soil is. Or advise the buyer at Barnes & Noble about their Christian section. Or stop looking at the books on the shelf and ask God if you should write one yourself.

So, with that I say, “Goodbye, LifeWay stores.” I will miss the comfort of being among family. I will miss the way we would say, “Have a blessed day,” or “Merry Christmas,” or “He is risen, indeed,” and know exactly what we meant. And most of all, I will miss supporting a company that helped me and so many others become stronger and more confident in the faith.

I truly “thank God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3

Love one another.

She couldn’t have been more than 20 years old. Sitting on the corner by the Walmart. Her thin, ratty coat stretched around her and her little dog. Propped beside her was a small sign on cardboard that read, “God Bless.” 

I did what I usually do. I saw her, wondered for a minute what her story was, then stared straight ahead and drove past her. 

Then God got my attention:

How dare you be in women’s ministry and ignore her?

Did you pay any attention at all over the last two months as you taught the Book of James?

Have you forgotten everything I have taught you?

This could have been you, you know. 

I looked down at the radio and saw that For King and Country was playing. It’s a little thing, but their whole mission as a band is to bring awareness to human trafficking. Coincidence you may say. I don’t say that at all. 

I was now about a half-mile away and I couldn’t get back there fast enough. Funny how, once I committed to obeying His leading, all the lights turned green just as I came to them. Again, no coincidence. 

When I got to the parking lot, I pulled into a space (I may or may not have hit a curb) and I quickly tore through my purse for a blank piece of paper. Quickly I prayed that she would still be there as I looked up the numbers for the local H.E.R. Shelter and the Virginia Beach Justice Initiative. One exists mainly to help battered women, the other to assist trafficked women and create awareness about human trafficking in our area. We are blessed to have both of these institutions and, if you reading this and you or someone you know needs help, click their names and you will go directly to their site. 

I pulled to the side where she was sitting- a few people had shopped for her and she was looking at the items in the bags. As I rolled down the window she came to me. Her face was tired and her eyes were dark. She had a knit hat pulled down over pretty, curly hair. Her little dog was sleeping. 

Handing her the money, I told her that there was a slip of paper inside with numbers she could call if she wasn’t safe. We exchanged a few more sentences that gave us both hope. She ended the conversation with asking God to bless me. Oh, sweet thing, He already has! 

You see, she may very well be there by choice. She may also be forced. It could even be a little of both. That really doesn’t matter. All I know is that, it is only by the grace of God that I am not where she is tonight. And what matters the most is that we treat each other with love and compassion. It only took a moment for me to offer her safety and love.

And in that one 10-minute episode I celebrated #internationalwomensday. 

On Turning 60

There is something about a “milestone age” that makes us want to consider our own legacy. We ask questions like, “What will they say about me when I’m gone?” and “What will I be most remembered for?” Will people smile when they think of me, or will they frown, thinking about how I never met my full potential? There is also a sense of urgency when you reach a “certain age.” I mean, face it: we’re not getting any younger.

So, with that in mind, I have compiled a list of a few thoughts, opinions, and words of wisdom. You may agree with some of them, and some you won’t. These are my thoughts and so you don’t have to agree. But please, allow yourself to think them through. You may surprise yourself.

Jesus is Everything. 

I know. You’ve heard it before. But it’s true. If not for my relationship with Him, I have no idea where I would be, or even if I would be. If you want to know anything about how to have a relationship with the Creator, please message me. I’m happy to share. 

• Appreciate nature. Take time to look around you. Contemplate the majesty of a tree. Listen to the sounds that are all around you. Drink in His creation, and that includes your fellow humans. 

• Give yourself a break. I have wasted a lot of time blaming myself for things that I did in haste or in poor judgment. Move forward. If you have His forgiveness, that’s what counts. 

• Play. Not everything has to have a noble or profound purpose. Playtime allows our brains to disconnect from the things that bring us stress. So play. Have some fun. It’s good for you. 

• Be present. It’s easy to miss the blessing awaiting you in the now, when you are too concerned about the future. 

• Love. 

• Stop taking yourself so seriously. The world still revolves around the Sun, not you. 

• There is no better blend of flavors than roast beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions. Unless it’s chocolate and peanut butter. 

• Never, ever shame your child on social media. How dare you? It isn’t funny and I will call you out. 

• The most amazing transformation in my life has been the work of the Holy Spirit. Any forgiveness, compassion, and grace I show are totally because of Him. 

• I am continually undone by the blessings of God in my life. Just when I think He has given me all He will, He gives more. 

• I still don’t understand how the following work: telephones, television, lights, microphones, and really big ships. Oh, and algebra. 

• I still have trouble believing I am the age I am. I should know more stuff. 

• Pet peeve: being interrupted. It’s not polite. People who try to diagnose other people’s ailments (without medical credentials)  is a very close second. And those who complain about how long they wait for a doctor. Don’t get me started. 

• The more attention you call to yourself the less you will be able to direct attention to the One who matters most. Decrease. 

• I like to wear makeup and color my hair. Is that vain? If so, I’m confessing it now. Still gonna do it, though. 

• I love: horses, dogs, turtles, and birds. Then come the other mammals like cattle and alpacas. You can keep your snakes and lizards. 

• The view from the “high road” is always the best. You do not have to have the last word, nor do you need to disgrace your walk by being less than He wants you to be. 

• This isn’t heaven. Don’t expect perfection- we’re not there yet!

• Jesus forgives EVERYTHING. I know, because He did it for me. 

• Finally: Be nice. Be honest. Be kind.  Life is short. One day you’ll wake up and be 60 and you’ll think “How in the world?”

On Spilled Nail Polish

Some messes are easier to clean up than others. I had that lesson reminded to me today. Doing a little straightening of my kitchen island, I turned around while holding some manila envelopes in my hand. Without glancing at what I was doing, I knocked a brand new bottle of nail polish off the island and onto the ceramic tile floor. Hot pink polish all over my classic black and white tile.

I stared in horror.

I had to act fast- there was polish and glass everywhere. I got the broom from the pantry and began to get the glass up.

Nail polish doesn’t sweep. I was actually painting my floor with my broom. Not only did it spread, but it thinned the paint and allowed it to dry faster. Into the trash can went the bits of glass as well as the dustpan- which looked now more like a one-color artist’s palette.

I ran upstairs to get the one thing I knew would remove the nail polish- you guessed it: nail polish remover. Acetone. I had no idea how it would react on my tile, but at this point all I knew was that if I didn’t start soon, I may as well not start at all.

As I put on my kitchen gloves and squatted down on the floor, I surrounded myself with paper towels and got to work. A whole bottle of acetone later, it was looking better. But it needed more attention and more acetone- a lot more.

On the way to the store I got tickled. I even called my sister- we love to revel in each other’s goofiness. I was making a mental list of the things I needed: disposable gloves, a new broom, bleach, more paper towels, maybe a mask, and acetone- lots of acetone. I began to worry that the FBI was going to investigate me for purchasing so many potentially toxic chemicals together.

Oh, and we needed more pepperoni because tonight is home made pizza night. Woo hoo!

The clerk began to take stock of the items very quickly. “Spill something?” she asked, knowing that the answer was going to be “yes.” After I told her what happened, she gently reminded me that, however bad it was, it could have been worse. And she was right.

I have a floor to clean. I could be wandering around somewhere looking for a place to lay my head tonight. I could be on a cot in a shelter or in a third-world country or at the border fighting to keep my children with me. Yes, it could be so much worse and I am so thankful it isn’t.

I can clean this up. We have enough money to purchase what I need to get my floor clean again. And, if it comes to it, we have extra tiles in the garage and we could call the man who tiled our floor and it would be made right. It will take some effort, but this will be just fine. We’d rather not have it come to this, but it is not earth-shattering. (just nail polish bottle shattering- sorry, I couldn’t resist)

And, most importantly, I have a Father who has and will continue to clean up all my messes. Having the assurance of the power of Jesus Christ in my life allows me the freedom to know that, no matter how badly I mess up, I am forgiven and my messes- my sins- are washed so clean God doesn’t see them any more. That’s because Jesus sacrificed His life for my sin. There’s nothing I could do to clean my mess up; it took Jesus’s sacrifice to make me clean.

As I write this blog on my back porch, I have the kitchen window cracked open to let out the noxious fumes. The hot day has grown cooler and the sound of tractors cutting grass hums along with the hummingbirds. Thank you, Lord, for the peace that fills my heart tonight and the blessed assurance that You are there to fix all my messes.

Why I Choose to be Southern Baptist

 

These have been tough days for those of us who call ourselves “Southern Baptists.” I won’t go into all the details. I don’t think it’s Scriptural to re-hash other peoples’ sins, nor is it beneficial to the kingdom. We all know what’s been going on, and if you don’t, you can look it up. Instead, I want to explain why I want to stay in my denomination. Why I am choosing to remain a Southern Baptist.

Here are a few reasons why I’m not going anywhere: 

I believe in the doctrine. 

There is a publication called The Baptist Faith and Message. In it, the Baptist doctrine is basically laid out and explained. It makes sense to me. I don’t believe it because a bunch of seemingly godly people wrote it. I believe it because, to me, it logically aligns with Scripture. I believe things like creation, the virgin birth, the holiness and perfection of Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus actually died for my sins and that He was buried in a borrowed tomb, and on the third day after His death the tomb was empty because He was raised from the dead. Yep. I believe it all. And that just happens to be what the Southern Baptists believe. I also believe that God has a plan for the family, and that plan is for the man to be the head of the home. Now, if you had asked me 40 years ago if I would agree with that, my answer would have been resoundingly different. You see, I had a really bad example of what a Christ-centered home was like. But God blessed me with a Baptist husband and my life and my opinions changed over time. I didn’t change because he told me to. I know my own mind. I’ve done my homework. Our marriage is one of a true partnership and, as I believe Paul in his exhortation to the church at Philippi said we need to “work out our own salvation,” (Philippians 2:12-13) I think we need to work out what works for our own marriages. That, for me and my husband, does not mean that I check my brain, opinion, or calling at the door. Nor does it mean that I think I am in charge of my home.  It simply means that my husband and I value each other as children of God and as His servants. We are partners on this journey and we have been for over 34 years. Only the grace of God can explain it, and we give all the glory to Him. 

I believe in the purpose.

Because I believe that the Bible is the true Word of God, without error, I therefore must believe what it says. And, incidentally, I like believing the Bible. Yes, I am inspired by it and I am comforted by it. I am also challenged and corrected and convicted by it- thank God! John 3:16 teaches that God loved the world so much that He sacrificed His only Son (Jesus) so that we would have eternal life with God. Matthew 28:16-20 tells us that we must go everywhere and teach everyone about Jesus. Southern Baptists do that. That is a purpose that will never be abandoned by them. Moreover, the Southern Baptist Church strives to be an example of Christ’s love to the world. They show up at disasters and they serve as Jesus would. I have been personally thanked by a pastor of a different denomination because he heard I was Southern Baptist and, durning the devastation following a hurricane, his church benefited directly from the efforts of my denomination. Without prejudice. That is a purpose I can believe in. 

I believe in the programs. 

Southern Baptists serve abroad and at home. There are programs that benefit inner city youth. Programs that feed hungry children in the Appalachians. Programs that teach English to people who desperately need to learn it in order to get a job or read their Bible. Speaking of that, there are programs that publish Bibles in every language known to man. I can keep going, but you get my point. Southern Baptists are busy about making much of Jesus at every opportunity. I choose to join them in some of these efforts and I am eternally grateful for the opportunities that God has provided to me. I am honored to represent Southern Baptists on many platforms. 

And finally, I understand that people are human. 

The Bible begins with a book called Genesis. Appropriate, don’t you think? It doesn’t take long (3 chapters in, actually) for sin to show up. And it (sin) has been with us ever since. Doesn’t it seem logical, then, that sin would show up where God is doing some of His best work? I mean, the Devil really wants us to fail. He wants us to be divided. He wants to step into our minds when we begin to doubt. The Southern Baptist Convention is made up of people who are flawed, weak, and sinful. Granted, they may be (and I hope they are) saved, but they still are vulnerable to sin because they are human. Please understand this:  I didn’t join the Baptist church because of any person; I chose the Baptist church because of the Person of Jesus Christ. My Savior is well-represented by this denomination and I will not abandon Him or it because of some men who are so threatened and intimidated that they choose to discredit a woman just because she is strong and vocal in her stance. What kind of Christian would I be if I left a faith system just because some people failed? Do you abandon a friend when she makes an error in judgment? Or would you walk away from a child who has made a poor choice? Of course not. I will offer grace. I will offer compassion. I will offer forgiveness. But as long as He continues to give me breath I will keep learning and growing and telling people about His love. I will also stand up for those who are too weak to stand on their own, and speak for those who are too afraid to speak for themselves. And I will continue to pray for the leadership of my denomination and for God to be glorified in everything we say and do.  

When Life Makes You Angry

It has been quite a week. And it’s only Wednesday night.

This week, people I know have had things thrown at them that are cruel, unfair, and horrific. And it has made me angry.

I am angry that there is an evil seducer who offers lies in the form of mind-numbing drugs and alcohol. I am angry that lives are forever changed because of our weakness. I am angry that we have become so detached from each other that we think we are as close as the computer screen and that we know everything that’s going on with someone by the pictures they post and the status they share.

And I am angry with myself. Because I don’t feel like I am doing enough to fight this evil.

The only source I know that has the answers that I need is sitting right in front of me. The Bible.

We must know the Truth. 

You cannot know what is false until you know what is True. In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” If you want to know what is true and good and real, you must begin here. Accept Him for Who He is. Tell Him you believe Him. Ask Him for forgiveness. Read the Bible. If you don’t have a Bible, guess what: there are plenty of versions online and they are FREE! If you need help with any of this, email me. I want you to know my Jesus. I want Him to be yours, too.

We must spend time in prayer. 

Your God wants you to talk with Him. And you need to talk with Him. Because He has the answers that you are looking for. He alone can provide the peace that you so desperately seek.

If you are reading this and you do not believe in God, in Jesus Christ, or if you have been hurt by someone in the church, these words may sound empty to you. They have sounded empty to me, too, at times. But let me ask you this: what better answer do you have? Do you think you can read, download, or “vote in” any better solution?

Take one step of faith and try the way that has brought me peace and hope. I’ll walk with you if you let me.

We must act. 

My pastor once said (and I paraphrase), “Jesus went to the cross for us. We need to live on this earth for Him.” The meaning? We have to represent Him here on this planet while we are still alive. We must speak about His truth. We must offer hope.

We must love. And we must love enough to be willing to have difficult conversations.

I will not be silent about the evil in this world. I will call it out for what it is and if I see it in your life I will speak His truth in love to you – whether you want me to or not. It may be inconvenient, it may be uncomfortable, and it may end our friendship. But I’d rather risk it than stand by and watch the enemy destroy you.

Because I love you too much to let that happen. And so does Jesus.

Broken

It’s tea season. Hot tea, that is. After the recent blizzard (yes, it was a real blizzard) we found ourselves in coffee overload but still in need of a hot drink for a cold afternoon. As my husband reached for a mug for me, he chose one that was way in the back of the cabinet. A lovely mug, large and thick. The kind of mug that, once it’s filled with steeped tea, you want to hold it close to you and breathe in the steam. Sadly, the mug had occupied a place deep in the cabinet for a reason: the handle was cracked in two places.

I informed my husband of this, regretting that I couldn’t drink from what was once my favorite mug, because I had banged it against the divider in the kitchen sink and thus had caused the cracks. He’s always been handy with the glue, my husband. He has needed to be! He’s repaired paper towel holders, toys, jewelry, and a multitude of cup handles- I have spent almost 34 years contributing to his experience in household repair. So I felt confident seeking his opinion as to whether and how my mug could be mended. His response left me thinking. He told me the cracks were too severe to continue to use it, but that they were “stuck’ in position because they were supporting each other.

The mug would have to be broken completely in order to be truly repaired. 

Sometimes, when we have a “crack” – a fault or a sin in our lives – we tend to let it stay where it is. We may be fearful that, if we expose it and identify it, we wont be able to recover from it. But sin, even sin that is held together by seemingly healthy foundations, cannot allow us to truly be used of God.

Just as my mug could not support the weight of the liquid because the handle was too weak from the cracks, our lives cannot completely be used to serve a perfect Savior until we allow ourselves to break and rely completely on His healing.

God is the only one Who can “bind up the broken” (Ezekiel 34:16). Won’t you take a moment to ask the Lord to show you where there are some cracks that need to be mended? Then allow the Master Potter to mend them. He’s waiting.