Called Out

I learned another meaning of a familiar word. The word ecclesia combines two words that mean “out of “ and “call.” Ecclesia typically refers to the church. However, by definition it means the called out ones. 1 Peter 2:9 states, “but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” We are all called out of darkness. I think that we think that our callings only refer to the calling to preach the gospel. We are called out to do many things. We are called to preach. We are called to teach. We are called to love. We are called to pray. We are called to write. We are called to dance. Ministry comes in many forms. You are a chosen generation. You were handpicked for this gift. You are special. You are gifted. You are called out.

Confession

James 5:16 KJV Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Confession was something I had only seen in Catholicism. I was raised Baptist. The closest thing to confession was maybe an altar call or a testimony service. Confession was a foreign concept. I could not see myself pouring out my soul like Usher in 2004.

Yet therapy is just that…confession. It is allowing myself to be vulnerable all to discover I’m not alone in my struggle. It is recognizing that healing is on the other side of my pain. Confession is good for the soul. It makes the burdens of life easier to bear.

Yesterday, was suicide prevention day. Ironically, a mental health advocate and associate pastor of a megachurch committed suicide. We are not above suffering. Nor should we suffer in silence. We should not hide behind the masks of joy or faith. If you find yourself feeling hopeless, or that you are out of options…reach out using the link below: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Or call 1-800-273-8255.

Testimony

Growing up in a Southern Baptist church, I always looked forward to testimony service. It was the one time besides announcements and “the welcome” that the members got the mic. Depending on who got the mic, determined how entertaining the service would be that day. You never knew what people were going to thank God for doing, or even give credit to God for doing in their lives. As I grew older, I began to recognize the importance of sharing my testimony. It really wasn't me as much as it was to encourage those who hadn't made it to the testimony stage yet. They were just being tested. Every opportunity you are given to share what God has done in your life, do so. You never know how your testimony can bless someone else.

Contribution

I sat in church yesterday and listened to the guest speaker, Sam Collier say, "there's a difference between a moment and a movement." He spoke about the conversion of Paul being a moment that led to a movement. I began to think about all the moments in my life that could have led to a movement. I thought about the moments when fear and doubt paralyzed me. Then, I thought about all the times I moved. I thought about all the times I finished. I finished starting the business. I threw that show. I wrote those books. I sold those t-shirts. I made those cards. I wrote those poems. Those are my contributions. Those are my movements. It's easy to focus on what you didn't do, but what have you finished? What did you accomplish? What's your contribution? Maybe it's that little boy or little girl you are raising. Maybe it's that overtime you are putting in at your job. Maybe it's those ideas that are keeping you up at night. Whatever it is, you have something the world needs.

Yelp

Genesis 4: 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

In light of recent events, I was reminded of the story of Cane and Abel. Long story short, Cane killed his brother out of jealousy. While it seems hard to fathom, what would cause someone to kill another human being in cold blood? We live in a day and age where murder and genocide are all too common. Our churches are not safe. Holy ground is not sacred. Domestic terrorism is real. I can't help but think that but by the grace of God that could have been my church, my cousin's mosque, or my co-worker's synagogue. As people of faith, we must recognize that there must be some sort of atonement. Just as Abel's blood cried out, so does the victim's of America's violent past and present. Can you hear their cries? What can we do to help prevent these senseless tragedies? Is it gun control? Is it acknowledging mental health? Is it recognizing domestic terrorism? Sound the alarm. Hear the yelp, and ask what hast thou done?

yelp noun

1. a short sharp cry, especially of pain or alarm.