While at Spirit Song this past weekend, I learned a useful tool that I'd like to share with all of you. Every night they had a guest speaker while they were setting up the stage for the headlining band. Normally this is the time for bathroom breaks, snack breaks, and time to go make the last minute purchases from the merchandising tents. While I admit to doing all those things, the speakers were Amazing each night. I often missed the first 10 minutes, but what I caught was great!
The speaker for Friday night was Justin Lookadoo of McKinney, Texas. He talked about the phrase, "Is It Holy?" Don't ask is this ok? Or should I do this or that? Ask whether or not what you want to do is Holy! Asking if it's ok is only asking to be average and mediocre. God does NOT call us to be average and mediocre. God chose us to be holy and blameless (Ephesians 1:4). When making any decision we should ask ourselves, "Is It Holy?"
- Should I skip church today and sleep in?
- Should I snap back with a hateful defense to prove a point or extend grace?
- Should I partake in the conversation about someone else's failure or point out the positive and leave the conversation entirely?
- Should I go ahead and have a drink or stick with water?
- Should I go ahead and click play on the porn or shut it down?
- Should I really think about him lustfully or pray for my future husband instead?
When you are faced with a decision and don't know which way to turn...Remember to ask yourself...
IS IT HOLY?
IS IT HOLY?
This is so good;) thank you!!'
ReplyDeleteSamantha Gunnoe
Thank you Samantha!
DeleteLove it! We've raised our children to appreciate the choices they make in a similar fashion...what would God think of this? This is a great reminder for anyone trying to live wholly holy...since it all matters.
ReplyDeleteWell shared.
Peace and good to you.
I thought it was a great way to put things into perspective. And the idea of not striving for mediocrity hit home as well...
DeleteLove this it really makes me think and and question things. Thank you Laura and i hope you have a very blessed birthday!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jess! I had a wonderful birthday:)
DeleteGreat post Laura! What a great reminder...strive to make every action, thought, decision HOLY!
ReplyDeleteThx Melissa! And Thx for making my birthday AmAzInG!
DeleteAnother good one! As is part of my bad habit, I'm going to push it to another level. Taken to an extreme, asking 'Is it Holy' in order to make a decision is really about avoiding guilt. If you don't go to church, you will feel guilty because you know it isn't holy. If you do go, you won't feel guilty and, if you are blessed, you will feel empowered (as you did in your example).
ReplyDeleteBut what if a person got to a spiritual level where the decisions were not between holy and unholy. What if the decisions were between holy and holy? Do I take care of my body, God's temple, and get some sleep or do I go to worship, hoping my sleep-deprived body will retain something? One could argue that either one is holy. Do I prepare my sermon or do I throw the ball with my son and be involved in his life? Do I take my wife out to nurture our marriage or do I pray for an hour? Do I volunteer at a homeless shelter or do I lead a Small Group?
In these decisions, guilt must not be a motivating factor. One might always feel guilty because he/she can't be every holy thing to everybody. It's what I call the 'Supermom Syndrome'. However, what if guilt wasn't the motivating factor. What if living out a specific Call from God was a motivating factor? For example, I could never ever sleep again because God wants me to 'pray continually' and praying is holy. The result is that I would be abusing the body that God has given me.... unholy. I could feel guilty because I'm spending too much time preparing sermons and not enough time with my son. I could let guilt motivate me to shift my time and, as a result, have less quality sermons.... Something that God wouldn't like either... thus causing me guilty feelings... so what do I do?
Asking 'Is it Holy' is a great question to ask when choosing between right and wrong. But we should strive to live beyond that question and ask 'which Holy thing has God called me to do today?'. When your day is filled with choosing between Holy and Holy, it transforms life itself and sin is more likely to be left behind because you simply don't have time for it. In addition, you will feel better about yourself as a child of God because you aren't constantly wrestling with guilt... which is good and right because Jesus took our guilt away.... something the Supermom Syndrome can cause us to forget.
Just my 2 cents.... God is Good.
Ohhh Joe. I wouldn't call it a bad habit. I look forward to every single comment you make! Not only did you kick it up a notch, but this: "When your day is filled with choosing between Holy and Holy, it transforms life itself and sin is more likely to be left behind because you simply don't have time for it." Amen to that!! Great words of wisdom! As always, thank you for your input Joe!
DeleteJoe, like Falen said, it's NOT a bad habit. Falen and I both love and appreciate your input/perspective! We both love to be challenged...it makes you see things differently! And the best part of your comment..Falen already hit on so I'll leave it at that! Good, good stuff Joe. THX! And yes, God is Good ALL THE TIME!
DeleteThe gentleman from Texas shoots straight. - Barbara
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! He was awesome. Check out his website. He has some great information/publications on dating.
DeleteThanks for hosting and inviting me.
ReplyDeleteI started following you on GFC. Hope you will follow me.
Blessings
Thx for stopping by:)
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