Yesterday seemed like just another day. However, when I look back on it, I must admit for a couple hours I wasn’t my best self. I will spare you the details but let it suffice to say that I have some work to do on my attitude and behavior.
So this morning, as I reflected on my shortcomings, it was natural for me to pray for help and guidance to be a better me. But after doing so, it dawned on me that my prayer, although sincere, was likely part of my behavioral pattern of not being my best self, realizing it and asking for help. A good start… But am I changing? Not so much.
I don’t want to hear anymore, teach me to listen. I don’t want to see anymore, give me a vision. That you could move this heart to be set apart.
These are the first set of lyrics from Micha Tyler’s song Different, which I heard for the first time the other day. (A vivid example of a God Wink for sure). As I was reflecting on the aspects of me that make me who I am, and then in this song, I realized I was praying for the wrong things in the wrong way. I didn’t just need help, I need a much more dramatic makeover! I need to listen, not just hear. I need to have eyes wide open to be aware of the vision laid out before me, not only see.
I imagine we all have areas of necessary refining in our lives that a much broader and deeper approach like this would help. However, if it’s the next lyric line of the song that is worthy dwelling on. That you could move this heart to be set apart. The song goes on to say…
I want to be different, I want to be changed. Till all of me is gone and all that remains is a fire so bright the whole world could see, and there’s something different, something different in me.
Years ago, while reading The Prayer of Jabez, I learned about and was challenged to pray boldly. In James 1:6-16 (Msg) it says, “Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought…”. In full transparency, I’ve thought about that approach on occasion when something I thought I needed or wanted or someone in my family had asked me to pray for. But now I see it so differently, so much more deeply, as the book, the Bible verse and the song lyrics intended, I’m sure.
I don’t want to spend my life stuck in a pattern. I don’t to want to gain this world but lose what matters. Can I get an AMEN!?!
The deeper message and challenge as I see it now is to pray to be changed to be more like Christ. To pray that we are so changed, so very different that those around us can see a fire of His love, grace and mercy so bright that they will want the same thing.
I cringed to think what type of “fire” I can exhibit when I’m not my best self? When my holy fire is dim. So I found my spark today, prayed a different, more eternally focused prayer and relit my fire!
How about you?
I want to be different… I want to be changed. Till all of me is gone and all that remains is a fire so bright the whole world can see…
COME AND BE DIFFERENT WITH ME!
When I went out to get this video of the song for you I noticed a post that said, this could be 3 minutes and 19 seconds that could change your life. Don’t miss that chance! Listen to it now.