Go, Be…
The Sunday message has often ended with ‘Go be the church’. I knew what he meant, I knew the intention. I thought I did.
But knowing and action are different. Knowing can be acknowledging and even agreeing. Action is both of those and then being. But not in just a single action, not in some great cause, not even in good deeds. It is a lifestyle.
2018 has me reflecting – a lot. Wondering, how can I more truly glorify this God I proclaim. Again not in some act of service, though that is good. Not in some cause I give to, though that is good. But in a living moment by moment way. A way that so fills life…that end of day exhaustion…is due to overwhelming joy lived out.
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 ESV)
And there it is – the act of surrender – to listen for the voice in the noise of life that says ‘this way’. And when we listen, then those moments will add up to a day spent being His – for souls around us needing to find their way. When we spend ourselves in countless ways that live out a joy that longs to bubble out of us, we will find an endless strength to do it again. Maybe this year, you and me, maybe we can put aside agendas and lists and listen. Intentional.
“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love.” (Psalm 145:8 HCSB)
Do we believe this? If the God we serve is gracious (no matter our shortcomings), compassionate (hurts when we hurt), slow to anger (so patient with us), great in faithful love (immense love that never wavers) – then this day will we live what we believe? Love this from a Matt Redman song:
Here I am, God
Arms wide open
Pouring out my life
Gracefully broken
My heart stands in awe of Your name
Your mighty love stands strong to the end
You will fulfill Your purpose for me
You won’t forsake me, You will be with me
So our challenge this year is: Go, Be. Eyes, heart, hands – all His. Go: wherever we find ourselves, whoever we’re with. Be: the joy-filled soul in the midst of suffering and blessing. Spreading His glory, forgetting self.
parisrenae 
Thank you for the insight and reminder!
parisrenae wrote:
Paris Renae posted: “The Sunday message has often ended with ‘Go be the church’. I knew what he meant, I knew the intention. I thought I did. But knowing and action are different. Knowing can be acknowledging and even agreeing. Action is both of those and then being. But n”
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Yes, hear it on Sundays, help us Lord to live it everyday 🙂
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Paris, I have no words. Thank you for sharing this post as it ministered to me deeply. My word this year is “Focus” and this so perfectly fits with my prayer to run my race, keep my eyes set on what the Lord would have me to do in the days ahead. And thank you for sharing the video as well. May God bless you as you surrender to Him in 2018.
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Joanne, ‘focus’, what a special word. May the God who adores you enable you to so focus on who He is that the race, though never easy, is joy joy joy. Many blessings…
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I think God’s intention is for us to be more than it is to do. Actions do go hand in hand as you said but if we don’t start with being it’s easy to make it about us and not God who calls us. Good insight Paris Renae. I also love your photos 🙂
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Debby, yes, so right, being so in love with Him that the outflow of what we do reflects Him. Blessings on journey…
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Go be his hand, feet, and mouth. Here I am , my Lord – use me.
Such a powerful message to be His messenger to those who haven’t heard about Him
Visiting you from #dancewithJesus linkup.
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Diana, many blessings as you spread His message – may His power daily show you the way.
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My one word for 2018 is surrender. I’m adding this post to my Pinterest board, Surrender.
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Debbie, it is a moment by moment undertaking, to Surrender. I pray His grace will enable us to do so more and more and find us giving Him all the glory.
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