Convictional Change

Personal Challenge Moment

On my mind and on my heart earlier this week: Who to vote for?
I prayed about it, and then today I voted.

But, that's not enough. There's so much hate about everything political, that it's impossible to take a stance on anything without being attacked. It makes me hate ever talking about politics to the point where I've made my political viewpoint more and more private.

But, here's what I decided.
Whether I agree with people politically or not, debating about who will do the best job, or how that job should be done, I know that what we care about is the same. And, that's what I want to talk about. I believe we care about people. We want people to be valued. We want to know that we are valued.

You see someone who has no food and is hungry and thirsty.
You see someone who is sick and is in need of help.
You see someone defenseless with no way of protecting themselves.
You see someone who is different, and people out of fear separate them from everyone else.
You see someone making a choice for themselves at the physical hurt of others.

And we respond with pity, we turn away, we judge, we scorn, we excuse.
And most often we are actively vocal about our concern for people not stepping in to help.

How often do I see something wrong, and instead of stepping up, I point out the obvious fact that people or a situation needs help

This should be convicting.

And when I say convicting, what I really mean is that it should become a challenge in your life with tangible results from you.

So, this year (regardless of who takes office, or who is in political power) let's take the power and freedom that we have as US citizens and be that change. Start small and we can make big changes: the friends we love, in the neighborhood we live, in the community we are a part, and in the city we live. That's how real change happens. Permanent change in one person's life can permanently change other's for good.

Don't wait for someone else to do the things you are feeling convicted about.

What does this look like for me? I'm so glad you asked.

Well, really what do I have that I can share, give, and help with?
Compared to some, I don't have much money. To others, I'm doing just fine. I tend to think I don't have much, but do have some. It is hard earned, and will consequently mean that much more when I give it away.
Time, like money, is equally valuable to myself and to others. What I do with it shows what I value most. Am I spending it all on myself, or am I sharing it with people who could benefit from someone just taking the time for them.
Labor is the doing part. Are you willing to make an effort for someone? Get your hands dirty? Make it what you will, but where we cannot give in one area we can certainly give in another.

So this year, I'm stopping with the excuses for myself or for others. I'm taking my convictions and making them an opportunity for change in my life, and hopefully, if you know me it will effect change for you too.

Giving Way

This practice room
really confines you
restricts you with what you are
and what you're holding onto
it's a place where mistakes
are brought to surface
and not just in the music
but your inner demons
that are keeping you from the music
the thoughts that say
you're not good enough
there's no redemption
it's all too late.
Waste of the talent you've been given
a wayward son beyond the reach of home.

And you were the only thing standing in the way.

Because in the practice room
it's just you and the music
You never know what will give way.
you hope to God, it's you