I'm back.

It's been a hot minute since I've been in the space to blog. Honestly, for me, I haven't felt the Lord on it and also I've said 'yes' to other things in different seasons these past months (maybe even a year or more?) that didn't include sharing here.

One thing I know for sure as I come back to this, I know my seat at the table. Hear me on this, I'm no one of prestige or great influence and my words that I share here or on a podcast are not done from a well-known platform, they are words that burn so deeply in my heart that they bring tears to my eyes and need a place to reside that they may find another person to resonate with, encourage or challenge. I leave it up to anyone to chew up and spit out anything that Holy Spirit doesn't find nourishing to their body, mind or spirit.

I see often people that have much, much greater influence than I do present their passions and declarations to the world in a way that has 'rubbed me the wrong way'. Now, that feeling of conflict- I've also learned is not in it's own right "discernment". It very well could be my own flesh or experience getting in the way of what an individual is saying outside of any form of relational equity. A criticalness rather than wisdom. Simple terms- no one truly knows what someone's motives are behind an impassioned statement. However, because this happens often within the Christian sphere of influencers, pastors, evangelists, prophets, apostles, everyday believers- I asked God what to make of it. You know what I heard Him say?

Not all personal convictions are corporate words.

That one really, really struck a chord with me.

How many times have you been so passionate about something that the lack of response of the world around you pertaining to that one thing became the most egregious thing to you? The absolute absurdity that not everyone could see the importance of the very thing that was so highlighted to you? The line that that thing drew between you and those that didn't see the same value as you did in that moment....

Man, I have been there so many times.

And yet.

If the body is made of different parts for different reasons, wouldn't it make sense that each and every one of us just might be operating in a way that we see value to different things at different levels on purpose? That our capacity and reach and influence has been created and apportioned to us to cover multitudes- which means that passions are not exclusive of one another, but are pieces of a greater whole that are not in competition, but made to shine brightly as defined by God in each of us specifically and intentionally IN ORDER that the manifold presence of Christ is revealed.

What does this mean?

What is important to me, may not be important to you or to the state of Iowa or the US or the world for that matter. My influence and reach (grace and favor) is governed by the Lord. IF you don't have value for the things that I speak or write about- maybe it just isn't for you or your lane. Just because I feel SUPER passionate about living as a new creation and building a culture of worship, doesn't necessarily mean the Lord gave me that "word" for the Midwest. You hearing me? Social media, podcast world, YouTube, etc is filled with people (I believe well-intentioned, good hearted people) that are positive that what they are passionate about is a mandate for a sphere of influence greater that what heaven has apportioned them. We know from scripture that favor is a really good indicator of where God is directing. We also know that there is favor with God and favor with man. So, my question becomes:

How do we navigate in our technologically connected world what the Lord is sharing with each one of us as far as what the reach should be with that conversation?

Not all personal convictions are corporate words.

I don't actually know the answer to this, but I do know what the Bible directs based on the examples that we are given- specifically, for me, Esther is a GREAT example of following the favor of the Lord as we move through life. In every epoch moment of Esther's rise from orphan to queen, she specifically looked for favor from God and man as an indicator of moving in the right direction. She didn't act only on the favor of man, She looked for God's favor as well: She was patient, she asked questions and looked for confirmation.

Patient. Question. Look for Confirmation.

How does this tie into this conversation?

When we are passionate about something in our lives, that we are even really, really sure is directly from the Lord. We need to be patient with that. Patient with our response. Patient with our process. Patient with WHAT (if anything) the Lord wants to do with it past our personal relationship with Him. IE) What God sparks inside you of you may not actually be what your church should be teaching on. Consider this: Mary had the Son of God and had it declared and celebrated around her- She didn't set up a stand in the marketplace to talk about her position or platform as the Mother of Jesus, she pondered these things in her heart. Mary's ministry- if you will- multiplied and affected the multitudes wayyyyy after the fact. That's what God's favor and grace does, it goes far beyond us personally. I believe He protects the intimacy of our relationship with Him far more than He expects us to share it and as a result, I'm feeling more and more aware of those specific things that are supposed to be pondered and prayed about rather than promoted and acted on.

It doesn't mean what God has told you isn't important, quite the opposite, it's so important that He probably started a specific conversation with you to be known by you in a way that will affect the world around you....He is talking to you because He wants a relationship with you not a platform through you. If the time comes that He desires to increase your tent stakes, friend, HE WILL DO THAT.

But, Lyndsie, there is varying levels of favor and influence.

Yep. and I would challenge us all to be aware of the seat we've taken at the table.

It's far better to be humble and elevated than it is to be arrogant and brought low. PS Arrogancy is by definition having an exaggerated sense of one's importance or abilities. It's pretty easy for any of us to fall into that trap if we're not careful; especially when we are persuaded to believe that what is most important to us should be the most important thing to everyone else around us. I have been so arrogant, so many times.

Am I wrong? I don't think so.

And also, maybe some people really do have the favor and influence that God has ordained to reach the multitudes and what they hear individually with Him in conversation is meant to go out. I believe that. I also believe many well-intentioned people that have access to reach because of the world we live in operate outside of their favor and influence and we are all left to DISCERN what actually is a part of the Lord's direction in our life and what is not. Maybe not necessarily (or at least always) what is true, but what is relevant and leave it at that. Chew it up, and spit it out.

Whether it is what God is saying about worship or teaching or Hollywood or family or community or, or, or. May I just challenge all of us that what He is saying- if it is relevant to our personal sphere or metron- He will confirm and He will engage us in if we ask about it. And if He says something different to me than He did to the gal in Florida, we may both be right and live in completely different spheres of influence and operate as different parts of the body ON PURPOSE not to be opposed to one another, but in cooperation as the body. We don't only want a bunch of eyes or a bunch of arms- we need the diversity of what He's saying for a full picture.

The main point being, what God says to you is important, but what is important between you and God has a specific grace and favor on it for a reason. Maybe it's personal, maybe it has a larger reach- but it is wise for us all to be more aware of what this looks like.

We should all steward well what the Lord is doing in our lives, families and communities. Afterall, He has given each of us a something to multiply- not all is the same and what we measure as influential and relevant, I believe can ensnare and lead us from His intentions and reach by being completely oblivious to our own arrogances that have been encased in passionate response to His voice.

Lyndsie