Could it Be Possible? (Part Two)

So I listen to Francis Chan via podcast. I love listening to Francis and I will tell you why. He is just so bold in his Word. He is working through Philippians with his church (coincidentally, I am doing the same with our college group and Mars Hill just finished a year long trip through the book of Philippians). The sermon Francis was giving this past Sunday was on rejoicing. As the sermon started, Francis Chan started with a confession. He shared that he was just having a terrible morning. He was angry, he was not in a mood to be with people and just felt that he was under spiritual attack. Then, he opened up with this beautiful spirit of authenticity with his congregation. Saying that he could easily go through the motions of speaking ON rejoicing, but, honestly, it is not where he was and more than anything, he need to be prayed for by those around him.

I loved this message. In fact, he shared that in the early service he had previously preached, he just "went through the motions" of what he had prepared and he said that it "failed miserably." Love it. And I will tell you why. I think at times, we put this amazing expectation on ourselves that we HAVE to act like we have it all together when, truth be told, there are moments when we just need to be transparent and admit we are a mess.

I relate to this all to often because I, too, feel this huge expectation from people to be "up" all the time. As I type this, I also realize that it is an expectation that I put on myself. I don't really think people "hold me captive" to my magnetic personality. But, truth be told, I feel the pressure. But here, in a moment of honesty, Francis shares that he just "doesn't have it all together" and needs some prayer.

So, a challenge for me today is to be authentic. If I need prayer, then I intend to ask for it from those who know me. If I see a brother or sister in need of prayer, then I intend to offer it. And I also plan to spend the day and days to come with "eyes wide open" and seeing what God has in store for me in the days ahead.

Need some affirmation? Re read Isaiah 43 OR read it for the first time and know... this is YOU God is talking too...

Grace and peace, my friends. Grace and peace!

Mark

PS...check out Francis' sermon by clicking here...

EVEN FRANCIS HAS A BAD DAY

Click under media and the sermon is the titled link above...