Comparison Can Kill Your Calling

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”—2 Timothy 1:6

One of Mirriam Webster’s definitions for call is, a divine vocation or strong inner prompting to a particular course of action. As a Christian, this is when you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to do something. I have no doubt, that God called me to be a knitter so that I could share the love of Jesus. Of course, 15 years ago, when I first learn how to knit, I had no idea how God was going to use this craft to glorify Him.

What kept me from pursing my dream of writing some type of knitting book? Doubt. Is this God really leading me to do this? I’m not that good of a knitter. Surely God wants to use someone that knits better than me. The thing is, when you start comparing yourself to others, it can kill God’s call for you. 

Guess what? God didn’t want to use a master knitter for a pattern/devotion book. He wanted a simple knitter with simple patterns to share the Gospel message. He wanted me to do this. My initial response to Him was not “Yes” it was “Am I the right person for this? There are others more qualified than me.”

As God gave me the words and opened doors for me to walk through, I soon realized this was definitely something God was leading. I obeyed even though I had no idea where it was going.I know following Jesus will look crazy to the outside world, but if God is clearly directing your steps to do something that will lead others to Jesus, then listen to that inner voice. 

Despite our human limitations, God can use each and every one of us. He has created us for a unique purpose. Wherever you are, God wants to use your talents as a role in the body of Christ. 

You could be in a season where God isn’t calling you to something other than to be the best wife, mom, caretaker or friend to those in your life. Don’t discount that. That is still a calling whether you realize it or not. Where is God asking you to navigate to make a difference in your corner of the world? You and I both have the ability to impact those around us.

Do you believe God can use you? What dream has God laid on your heart that you are ignoring or afraid to pursue? Where can you invest in the lives of others? 2 Timothy encourages you to fan the flames of your spiritual gifts. A song I like to listen to as a reminder of this is  Reason by Unspoken. Soak in the words and let God use that fire that He has placed in your soul to make a difference in someone’s life this week.

Dear Lord,

Lead me to starving souls who are in need of Your Living Water. When I compare myself to others, help me to turn my focus back to You, Lord. Fan into flames the spiritual gifts that you have given me to share the love of Jesus with those around me. Thank You that You have personally called me to make a difference in Your Kingdom. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

July Memory Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8

Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.

Comparison Can Kill Your Calling

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”—2 Timothy 1:6

One of Mirriam Webster’s definitions for call is, a divine vocation or strong inner prompting to a particular course of action. As a Christian, this is when you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you to do something. I have no doubt, that God called me to be a knitter so that I could share the love of Jesus. Of course, 15 years ago, when I first learn how to knit, I had no idea how God was going to use this craft to glorify Him.

What kept me from pursing my dream of writing some type of knitting book? Doubt. Is this God really leading me to do this? I’m not that good of a knitter. Surely God wants to use someone that knits better than me. The thing is, when you start comparing yourself to others, it can kill God’s call for you. 

Guess what? God didn’t want to use a master knitter for a pattern/devotion book. He wanted a simple knitter with simple patterns to share the Gospel message. He wanted me to do this. My initial response to Him was not “Yes” it was “Am I the right person for this? There are others more qualified than me.”

As God gave me the words and opened doors for me to walk through, I soon realized this was definitely something God was leading. I obeyed even though I had no idea where it was going.I know following Jesus will look crazy to the outside world, but if God is clearly directing your steps to do something that will lead others to Jesus, then listen to that inner voice. 

Despite our human limitations, God can use each and every one of us. He has created us for a unique purpose. Wherever you are, God wants to use your talents as a role in the body of Christ. 

You could be in a season where God isn’t calling you to something other than to be the best wife, mom, or friend to those in your life. Don’t discount that. That is still a calling whether you realize it or not. Where is God asking you to navigate to make a difference in your corner of the world? You and I both have the ability to impact those around us.

Do you believe God can use you? What has dream has God laid on your heart that you are ignoring or afraid to pursue? Where can you invest in the lives of others? 2 Timothy encourages you to fan the flames of your spiritual gifts. A song I like to listen to as a reminder of this is  Reason by Unspoken. Soak in the words and let God use that fire that He has placed in your soul to make a difference in someone’s life this week.

Dear Lord,

Lead me to starving souls who are in need of Your Living Water. When I compare myself to others, help me to turn my focus back to You, Lord. Fan into flames the spiritual gifts that you have given me to share the love of Jesus with those around me. Thank You that You have personally called me to make a difference in Your Kingdom. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

July Memory Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8

Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.

Living in Faith not Fear

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound mind. —1 Timothy 1:7

God doesn’t want us to live in the “what-if’s.” He wants us to trust Him in the here and now. 

Trust me when I tell you that stepping out in faith with this whole knitting book thing has been a bit scary for me, because it was way outside of my comfort zone. Since I was so sure that this was where God was leading me, I was more fearful of missing out on God’s best for me if I wasn’t obedient to His calling. 

There is still the unknown with it and that is where I have to be careful to not listen to the “what-if’s” that Satan tries to whisper in my ear. “What if no one buys the book? What if no one wants to be a part of this knitting movement?….what if, what if, what if????” Honestly, I don’t know the answer to any of those questions and it really doesn’t matter. What I do know is that with God anything is possible. He is with me! I continue to trust Him on this journey.

Any feelings of anxiousness or fear expose a trust problem, and that happens when I listen to those lies being whispered in my ear. Living like Jesus is when I choose to live in obedience to where God is leading me no matter how crazy it may seem. There is nothing wrong with dreaming big as long as it aligns with God’s Word and will for you. 

I am still in awe at how God can use an ordinary person like me to not only write this weekly blog post but also to be an author of a knitting pattern/devotion book. I am by no means a master knitter. My sock knitting attempts are a perfect example how challenging knitting can be for me. As much as I enjoy it, it does not come naturally to me.

However, God is able to use me as a vessel to share my love for Jesus, writing and knitting through avenues that I could not ever have imagined. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that I am only able to accomplish these things. God gets the credit, not me. The only thing I did was be obedient to His call. 

You may think,“There is nothing special about me. How can God use me?” You are the exact person that God wants to use. God can use your ordinary day-to-day activities to make a difference in the lives around you. How can you impact those in your local community in your daily routines? I think too many of us underestimate how we can minister to those that are right in front of us. 

Are you able to spend a few extra minutes to let the clerk, receptionist or wait staff know that you appreciate the job that they are doing? Where can you cause a ripple effect by words or acts of kindness this week? Maybe knit a gift to give to them to let them know they matter?

Dear Lord, bless and use what I have to meet the need of someone in my sphere of influence. Thank You that You are with me wherever You are calling me to serve You. Take away any feelings of anxiousness about what is ahead of me or my loved ones. Help me to remember that You do not give me a spirit of fear but one of power, love and sound mind. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen. 

July Memory Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8

Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.

Meditating On God's Word

“But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.”—Psalm 1:2 (NLT)

When I hear the word, “mediation,” I automatically think about other religions such as Hindu or Buddhist, but when I did a Google search on what religions practice mediation, Christianity was listed among them. It shouldn’t have surprised be because it is mentioned in the Bible how we should meditate on God’s Word day and night. 

This means, I do more than just memorize my monthly scripture verses. I need to be letting these verses soak into my soul so that I am living them out too. Incorporating scriptures during my prayer time is another way I do this. I specifically pray certain scriptures for me, my husband and my children. One in particular is Hebrews 10:23. This is how I pray it: You are my Father and I know that you have a plan for Pat, Brandon, Mallory, Danielle and I. Please bind us to Your will and teach us to desire Your heart above all else. Help me to hold unswervingly to the hope that I profess, knowing that You are faithful. It is simple practice that helps me to give God’s Word life during my prayer time.

Meditating on God’s Word is more than reading and studying it but dwelling on it as well. By memorizing Philippians 4:6 this month, I am reminded to not be anxious about anything which gives me the power through the Holy Spirit to remove those worrisome thoughts rather than let them take residence in my head. I will repeat that scripture over and over until I am filled with peace and not fear. 

The scriptures that I have been memorizing the past few years are reminders of the strength available to me through Jesus. He is the one that lifts me up when I am down. Have you ever opened a devotion book and flip to one that was exactly what you needed to hear? It is as if God wrote it specially for you. That gives me hope because I know God hears my cries and cares about what is heavy on my heart. It makes it harder to let doubt fill my mind rather than God’s truth. Especially when I feel He is speaking directly to me through a devotion, person or sermon at church. Praise God that He hears not just my prayers, but yours too. Will You trust Him and release your burdens at His feet?

Lord,  I thank You that I have the freedom to meditate on Your Word both day and night. I give thanks that through the Holy Spirit, I am able to change my thoughts, attitudes and behaviors. I praise You that when I allow You to flow through me that I am no longer bound by fear and worry. Help me to trust that you hear my prayers and that Your will and ways are better than the world’s. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

June Memory Verse:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”—Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.