Are You Sharp?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iwjtVNNVG4

Cages ~ We the Kingdom

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. ~ Proverbs 27:17

Over the past few weeks, Proverbs 27:17 keeps coming up in my studies. I think people like the idea of this verse, but when it really comes down to it, we shy away from it. The Bible App depicts this verse as an axe head being sharpened by a sharpening stone, with sparks flying from the point of friction. The friction, I believe, is the main reason we tend to steer clear of relationships, or opportunities, that would lend to making us stronger, better, sharper, and more godly versions of ourselves. Friction hurts! 

In a time of easy, quick-fixes to whatever ails us, we don’t want to invest in something that will likely bring discomfort, even if it will help, heal, and/or sharpen us. We then find ourselves in a paradox.

• In opening ourselves up to others, we risk our trust being shattered.

• In removing our masks, putting aside the facade, and coming out of our cages, we risk getting hurt.

• In giving love away, we risk being rejected.

But on the flipside…

• Opening ourselves up to others allows us to be known by them and them by us.

• Removing our masks, putting aside the facade, and coming out of our cages affords us the opportunity for real relationships where intimacy and trust are built.

• Giving love away creates room in our hearts to receive more of God’s love, character, and spiritual fruit.

When we’re not in relationships that, lovingly, challenge us, we will grow dull over time. When we become dull, we tend to withdraw, believing the lie that we’re of no use to others. But when we allow our “dull” selves to be surrounded by and open up to others, the dullness starts getting removed. Then, not only do we become sharper, we also get excited about and seek out others whom we can help sharpen.

The first few steps in anything new are always the hardest, because they involve the greatest risk. But if we want to live Proverbs 27:17 lives, then we must be willing to step outside of ourselves, leave the quick-fixes behind, and get closer to sharpening stones--people who love God, live for Him, and are wanting to invest in you. We need each other!

As iron sharpens iron…

©Heather Potts 2021

Redeemed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It1XzDf-pFo

Thankful for the Scars ~ I Am They

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, ~ Psalm 103:2, 4 NIV

Confession: I get nervous speaking in front of people, even though I’ve taught classes, led small groups, etc. I’m sure it’s rooted in a fear of rejection: what if I say the wrong thing and sound like an idiot. Ironically, the smaller the group, the more intimidated I am to speak.

This past week, our life group was discussing Romans 8:17, listing the benefits of being an heir of God and co-heir with Christ. The word “benefits” reminded me of Psalm 103:2-5. Our group leader asked which benefits stood out to me. Typically, this would be a nerve-wracking, hands-shaking, face-reddening moment. But Holy Spirit was with me; and, in peaceful ease, I was able to share what God has done for me. I used to suffer from Endometriosis, a disease doctors say is incurable, but God healed me, (v.3). And in the past, I struggled with depression, but God redeemed me and pulled me out of that pit, out of the darkness, and into His light, (v.4).

This morning, I heard the song, “Thankful for the Scars,” and it reminded me of a post I saw, the gist of which is, if you understood my story—the pit from which He redeemed me—you’d understand my worship. The woman who anointed Jesus with the expensive bottle of perfume is a great example of this: she’d been forgiven much, so she loved much, (Luke 7:36-47). David, dancing before the Lord, is another great example: He “danced before the Lord with all of his might,” and said, “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this,” (2 Samuel 6:12-22).

We all have insecurities and things that make us afraid. But when the Spirit of the Lord is on us, it’s amazing how His peace overrides them. The best part is that He often uses our lives and testimonies to bring glory to His own Name. What are the scars and victories in your life? Ask God to give you the opportunity to share them, to dance mightily, and to love much in response to all that He’s done in your life.

©Heather Potts 2019

No Fear in Love

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear *involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.  ~ 1 John 4:18

We know that fear is nothing more than False Evidence Appearing Real, but I’ll take it one step further and say that fear is a lack of trust.  As God’s Word says, “the one who fears is not perfected in love.”  God is that love and those of us who live in or with fear have not yet been perfected or encompassed by it.

This fear can be broken down into many different categories.  There’s the fear of abandonment, which keeps you from speaking up for yourself in a healthy and respectful manner.  There’s the fear of rejection that keeps you from standing up for what is right and true.  The fear of rejection can also be coupled with the fear of failure and/or the fear of success, all of which can keep you from fulfilling your dreams and God’s purposes for your life.

Fear is a great immobilizer.  God put warning signals in our brains to send out as messages to our bodies to keep us from harm.  Satan, however, twisted it to keep us from the things God intended for us.  One thing, above all others, that fear keeps us from is understanding and living in a perfect relationship with God our Father.  Because the enemy has used our earthly relationships with other the men in our lives—our fathers, uncles, brothers, husbands, boyfriends, etc.—to cause us fear in some way, we reflect that back onto Father God and we are kept from having the perfect relationship with Him—the One who is able to cast out all our fears and protect us.

If there is only one scripture you study and get to know better, make it this one.  Allow Father’s perfect love to displace your fears.  Allow His tenderness to sink into your bones and seep into your heart.  Allow His peace to overcome your thoughts.  Allow His joy to replace your fretting and grief.  Allow His promises to replace your worries.  Trust in His love enough to allow it to replace your fears.