I was blank. How do you follow in such big footsteps?
When Lisa-Jo needed to hand off the visionary baton for (in)RL to someone else, and I was that person, I looked at God in disbelief and begged him for vision.
But I was empty.
Yes, we had team meetings and all brainstormed on what the theme should be for this year, and we even nailed “We Need Your Story” together as what we wanted to do for (in)RL 2014.
But, I didn’t have it. The heart part, you know? The deep down burning and realization of where God was taking us to be able to embark on all that has to happen to kick off a project like this…
Until He met me. Right there in my disbelief, in all my doubts, and in my fears. In levels of stress that were rising to teary-eyed conversations with close friends. It was like any other Sunday one could say, and honestly (sorry Pastor Clint) I don’t remember what the message was about or what even sparked this thought. But then it came…
“Sally, it’s about spreading My name.”
And immediately something in my heart lit up. God knew – that essential connecting thread (a realization many have probably already had) that had to surface for me to fully embrace this.
I have honestly not been very good at community in the past. God has had to convince me that I need it over the past three years, and oh, has He. And can I tell you? I so need it. I need it down to my core. But God is still teaching me (and will be for many years to come) how to be a faithful friend, even through the drama and the extra effort at times, on both ends. God is calling me to let go of those needs to control my “ok” state, to instead see how He’s going to work.
So, this revelation was huge for me, that community was not just getting together with your friends to have a warm, fuzzy time—which it is, and please have no doubt that I LOVE hosting and getting together with my friends. I’ll be the first to be giddy and jump up and down with the fast-hand-clap and high-pitched squeal over some good ol’ girl time—but that this whole idea of being part of the body of Christ and needing each other isn’t just so we can all feel better. But that, at the end of the day, the bigger picture is for His kingdom. For spreading the name of Jesus.
What I’m really getting at here is that we need to be intentional about building each other up in Christ, that we may be ambassadors for Him, in whatever venue that may be. Whether that’s in your moms group on Tuesday mornings, at Starbucks when you’re killin’ a few minutes, at the office among challenging coworkers, the daily grind and joys of raising little ones, or wherever God has us in this season.
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6 NIV
So, how does this relate to “We Need Your Story”? Well, it’s just that. As we learn each other’s stories—where we come from, what burns in our hearts, our hurts, our successes, our dreams—we are then able to connect better, understand each other, build each other up, and together glorify our Father in Heaven.
As a friend here in Kansas put it this week, we are ministers of the Gospel. Love that. Isn’t that what community is for? Yes, to be edified in each other, but at the end of the day, this edification is to draw us back to our Savior to then send us back into the world. We are called to go into all the nations preaching the Gospel. What a beautifully orchestrated plan God has laid out that we get to embark on that together, in all its different forms!
So, will you join us?
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We’re so excited to giveaway 30 of these lovely ((together)) necklaces by Lisa Leonard to anyone registered for (in)RL by midnight tomorrow! Head over to this page to register, and then be sure to find (or start!) a Meetup to get together April 26th with friends in real life. If you want to learn more about the vision for this year’s (in)RL, you can watch the trailer here!
(in)RL Lisa Leonard Necklace Giveaway
Spreading His name reminded me this morning of the rural farmers I see (I live in a developing country) with a seed bag over their shoulder, kind of like a baby sling, and using their right hand, they dip into the bag and then fling the seeds out in a smooth motion over and over and over as they slowly walk over their land. Praying for much good soil and much fruit…
Ah that’s a great illustration, Tami. Love that.
Sally,
Praying for you as you undertake this vital role in order to spread His precious name. God has a way of meeting us in the place and time when we feel the most inadequate. He WILL work through you and (in)RL for His glory. I’m all signed up and am looking forward to it!!
Blessings,
Bev
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Bev. You are so right about that. Yay! So glad you’re signed up and ready to go. As we show up, I believe He’ll work. It may not look like what we had hoped, and sometimes it might be way better, but He will work nonetheless. 🙂
I was so nervous when I hosted a couple of years ago. It didn’t even work out well – not many people came, my media wouldn’t work. So I didn’t do it last year. But this year. I’m going to try again. Don’t let your “issues” keep you from connecting with other women. You need them, and they need you.
Ah man, I’m so sorry that happened to you, BJ. So glad you’re going for it again! I pray God shows you what He’s doing, even amidst whatever the circumstances are this year. And definitely don’t feel like it has to be a big production. You’re going to do great.
my advice would be to try to be a bit more real and a bit less perfect. it puts everyone at ease
together in Christ’ name… it’s all for HIS glory!
Sally! So sweet to hear your heart here and so excited to meet you inRL. Oh goodness. My heart might explode.
:)!
Can’t wait to meet you too, Dana! Wahoo!
Love your heart for Jesus, Sally. It’s been such a blessing to get to know you a little better through (in)RL. I know God will bless the fort, all for His glory! 😉
Have loved getting to know YOU, Kris. Really. You are such a gift.
And yes! ALL for His Glory. Thank you, Jesus.
What I have come to realize in my 68 years (38 of them learning to lean on the everlasting arms of our lord), is that no gift of the Holy Spirit is ever small. You can put together a 1500 piece puzzle yet without that last piece it isn’t complete. there is not a person alive that does not need encouragement. I have also come to believe that some gifts are given where there is a need. Think about it – God is not in a box – He uses who and what is willing to be available to be used to accomplish His will. Think of Samuel — Here I am was his response to hearing his name called. That is all that is required of us, to be available
That is so good, Loretta. Totally agree. That intentional availability.
The best decorating you can do is with a smile. 🙂
Beautiful reminders
{Melinda} I’ve been learning more and more lately the importance of leaning on the Spirit. I NEED Him. I can’t do anything without Him. Or, else I feel all scattered and rung out. You are so right — He has to be the one to light that fire inside of us. To help us see the true purpose of all this ministry that we do. Because it can seem like going through the motions if we aren’t keeping His purposes at the forefront. Excited to see how God works through 2014 (in)RL! 🙂
Doesn’t that somehow take the pressure off too, right? It’s so cool how He works. He’s so personal. Amazing that He cares that much. Just amazing.
We are definitely “sowers” in the fields that are continually “white for harvest.”
Since I’m considering hosting this year, my advice would be to just go for it! Join that meetup or decide to host! No fear! (Okay, there most likely will be fear, but this the body of Christ we’re meeting up with. Get to know a new part.)
I love seeing and reading your words here, Sally. I am astounded by the community that has grown out of (in)courage both online and in real life. I love this line–> We are ministers of the gospel. YES, and we can’t do that isolated. So glad to push into the hard and beautiful things that are community.
So agree, Alia. You have been such an encouragement to me. Hope you know that. So glad we get to be friends. 🙂
Prayers for you Sally as you embark on this wonderful endeavor to spread His Word! I know He will give you the strength and courage to pull this off with flying colors! Remember With God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! 🙂
Matthew said it best: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37. We need more workers, even local daily workers to encourage each other!
Blessings 🙂
Thank you so much, Beth. And it’s DEFINITELY not just me. There is an AMAZING team around this project, and I am grateful to get to serve alongside them. Thanks for your encouragement!
Spreading his name is the reason I write, the reason to live intentionally in community, the reason to share our stories and live heart wide open.
Thank you for being brave.
Sara
My most recent post:
Why we need the hope of Spring
So excited to hear others’ stories and to get to know women in my community. I’m new here and am looking forward to starting some new relationships as a result of (in)RL.
So glad you’re stepping out, Holly! And welcome. 🙂
I am SO excited for this year! Can’t wait to see how God is going to bless so many because of the ministry of in(RL).
It took a very long time for me to communicate my story to other women. It’s so true that we need each other. Every story has a purpose because The Father has an amazing plan for His daughters! I love your theme!!!
You are an inspiration that you are telling your story, Jennifer. Yes, He does have a way of working His plan in and through us, doesn’t He. 🙂 So glad you’re here.
That was so inspiring Sally…thank you for being brave enough to share your heart and helping reach others with your life experiences. So proud and honored that you are my sister!
Love you to pieces:)
Ah, Elise. You’re the best. 😉 Love you bunches. xo
Thank you for your transparency and the reminder that it is all about Jesus.:)
Sally, I think you just gave me my word for this year. Intentional. Yes we need to be intentional and not just in the proverbial way. Intentional with a purpose and a focus —Christ.
Love that, Loretta. Yes this!
Being in community is so tough for me too. I can become a hermit in a heartbeat, but just taking one tiny step forward is all it takes. Jesus is there in the baby steps. Thank you for being there too.
I hear ya, Lindsay. Thanks for being brave and stepping out. So glad you are!
Sally, what a great and encouraging post! I teared up at the end thinking about amazing it is that our incredible God uses little ol’ us and our stories to spread His name. Incredible! Prayers for you as you move forward in community. I’m with you!
It is incredible. That’s a great way of describing it, Karin! Thank you so much for your prayers.
Hi Sally,
Straight to my heart is where your words landed. I am struggling with releasing my self, my family and words to God right now. I have started to write my worries and such down and lay them at His feet. What a wonderful place to begin to live…
With a grateful heart,
Kristin
I so know what you mean, Kristin. It’s scary and freeing all at the same time. I’m still in process too. Very much so.
Hey beautiful friend. You spread His Name more than you realize. It is so natural to you that you might not recognize all you do. You are amazing!
Thanks for that encouragement, Diane. You are blessing, my friend.
I am new this year at (In)RL but excited for the opportunity to learn what it means to live my life honoring God in all. Community is where my life meets others in the body of Christ and it is where encouragement, strength and grace allow all of us to become who God meant for us to be. Looking forward to this community and all I will learn. Blessings!
So glad you’re joining us for (in)RL this year, Mary!
It’s about spreading His name. Amen, sister. And the together necklace is the perfect accessory for that…because they will know we are His by our love for one another. I wear my necklace often as a pretty little reminder.
Yes! Spreading the name of Jesus and building one another up in Him! What an encouraging post. Thank you for allowing yourself to be used of God to be such an encouragement!
I’ve been concerned about writing about what I love in the Scripture. That was good. But to further the gospel and especially write to give Jesus’ name would be so warm to me and hopefully those who read me, so powerful and something i should have been doing all along. My Jesus has walked through the waters with me.
Thank you Incourage for your wonderful blog! It brightens my day, and it reminds me that I’m not the only one who’s not perfect. I have a blog – it would supercalafragalistic (or however you spell it) if you checked it out. Just click on my name 🙂 Thanks! xxx
Sorry, don’t click on my name on the comment above, click on my name on this comment 🙂
LOVE this.
I find more an more each day that finding and sharing Christ isn’t in the grand gestures, it’s IN the moments that are small or least expected.
So true, Dawn. Good word.
Reading this I just wanted to shout: Yes!
It’s about spreading His name! 🙂
Thanks for taking us on the journey of your heart to find His heart.
And since I am already gushing, can I just also say: Yay! I’m excited for inRL!!
Wahoo! Yes, excited for (in)RL. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement, Amanda.
I love this quote – but that this whole idea of being part of the body of Christ and needing each other isn’t just so we can all feel better. But that, at the end of the day, the bigger picture is for His kingdom. For spreading the name of Jesus.
Thank you so much for your message!
Can I just say “amen!” to all you just said about us needing community. Because you totally nailed it.
Hi Sally,
What a wonderful ministry opportunity this is! Oh yes, how we all need community and the encouragement we receive from one another. This helps us to better ‘shine’ for the Lord when we go out into this dark world we are living in.
Love and blessings,
Kim
Hey there, Kim! 🙂 Great to see you on here. Thanks for your support. Miss you all!
Hi Sally,
I stumbled across your post tonight and I want to thank you for your transparency and realness. Im a Sally too but im struggling to battle on after 17yrs of anorexia and bulimia. Im 27yrs old so know that God can still use me if I conquer this but some days, like today, it feels like I’ll never recover or be free…. but then I read that line “Sally, its about spreading My name” and thats really touched me too. I mean my recovery is not for me but for Him and who He is. I know I’ll fight this alone some days and fail but the more days I look to Him I know I can conquer and therefore spread His name. So thank you for this timely reminder after a day that nearly crushed me completely. Ps: those necklaces are a beautiful idea, solidarity connection and love that moon is alone in the family of God!
Love Sally