Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s a new day of a new week and I’m looking forward to how He’ll be using me every step of the way. I took a little “beating” straight from the Throne of the Living God this morning as thoughts of doubt about myself and my Purpose crept into my soul; but it didn’t take long for Him to set me straight at all. When I begin to feel doubt about me and my Mission, it’s always because I’ve allowed someone or something else take up residence in my mind or my heart, and when I allow that to happen; I become worthless to the King. So, after a gentle Reminder from Him and a little confession from me; I’m recharged and I’m filled with excitement for my Life and my Purpose…and I’m humbled for the journey…and now there’s not a doubt in my mind that I’ll be having an impact for the Kingdom today! Isn’t that the way you deal with doubt and discouragement too?

It’s so easy to complicate Life and to get wrapped-around-the-axle over things that make no difference at all in the Bigger Picture of Life; and it’s even easier to become discouraged when we do. There will always be someone “out there” intent on rocking-the-boat, and there will always be Obstacles set out to discourage. It’s only when we look at Life through the Eyes of a Mighty God that we realize that none of those things have the “power” to derail us or to stop us from making a Difference in the world at all…unless we let them. It’s not the people who disappoint us, or those who fight against what we Stand for that matters; it’s how we deal with those people that has the potential to make an Eternal Difference beyond anything we can begin to comprehend on this side of Heaven. The way we “deal” with them, has everything to do with the way we “deal” with God and how we allow Him to deal with us. It’s only when we let God peel back the layers to reveal who we really are without Him; that we find the grace, the love and the compassion to see someone else for who they really are too….and we extend love and forgiveness freely no matter what. This is why when I’m feeling discouraged… when I’m doubting myself and my Purpose… or when I get my feelings hurt here and there…that it’s my transparent Time with my Transparent God that matters the most. It’s when I get ME Right that can I get it Right with the World too. And when I get ME Right…there’s no Limit to the difference I can make in the world on behalf of the Living God.

When we’re willing to step-up and to speak-up about our Faith anytime and anywhere, the world is ready and waiting to lash out in ways that most people can’t imagine. It’s not possible to count the number of people prepared to debate politics or Rules set forth by the Living God. But the people most ready to “attack” aren’t the people who don’t know better when it comes to things of God; it’s the people of Faith instead. Somehow the world has become filled with Pharisees that have convinced themselves that it’s their Role to battle these things no matter the bad Witness they are to a Good and Righteous God in the process. People of Faith spit insults at the clueless ones, and they’re ready to judge the world at the drop-of-a-hat. But there will always be people who go against us and what we Believe. It’s not what somebody else believes or doesn’t believe that matters the most…it’s the way we deal with them in spite of what they believe or don’t believe that matters the most. The way we “deal” with them has everything to do with the way we “deal” with God and the way He deals with us. It’s only when we allow God to peel back the layers to reveal who we really are and how pathetic we’d be without Him; that we find the grace, the love and the compassion to meet others where they are too…no matter what they believe or don’t believe. There’s “nothing new under the sun” and there isn’t a conflict that we face (or a people so vile), that compares to the persecution and Crucifixion of Christ… if He could extend grace, love and compassion to his enemies while hanging from a Cross…I think that’s a clue for us in how we are to treat our “enemies” too. If we’re truly Followers of Christ (and not just bird-dogs for righteousness) then we have to learn to love others no matter what they say or do…AND we need to tame the tongue. It’s when our world sees Christ IN us that we make the Biggest Difference, and nobody has EVER been won to Christ by insults and judgement. If we want to be Right with the World; it all begins with getting it Right within ourselves and Right with Him. This is the Key to humility.

I may have temporarily succumbed to my heart over people and things in my Life, and I may have doubted myself and my Purpose at sunrise; but it’s an entirely difference story now. He peeled back the layers of me and I’m humbled, And NOW I have the grace, the love and the compassion to Represent the King of Kings.

How about you?