Ready for Some Tenderness?
Your voice is the sound you are here on this earth to make. It is your best expression of you, where you demonstrate your value. It is the motivation behind your vision, the reason you identify and operate your vessel, and the purpose for which you drive your vehicle towards the future.
~Excerpt from "How to Crack your SistaCode" presented by ilooklikeLOVE
This is a passage from my profit's curriculum for our single moms. Over time, it has easily become my favorite to teach because it explores the importance of understanding and developing one's place in the world. Finding and embracing your voice lays the foundation for how you relate to others. Its where you find your rhythm with the world, and where the world can embrace the music that is you.
We remind them...
People don't miss noise, they miss music. Your music is your VOICE.
Have you ever had to work with, live with, or deal with someone who felt more like noise than music? Always having plenty to say with no purpose or substance? Someone who expects you to eventually bend under the unyielding weight of their agenda?
Ugh. Noise. Makes my ears ring just thinking about it.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ~1 Corinthians 13:1 New International Version
The Apostle Paul presents this text to demonstrate to the Corinthian church how we, the church, the body of Christ, should use our spiritual gifts in the context of God's sacrificing love versus our own self-righteousness.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way. ~1 Corinthians 12:31b NIV
God has called you to steward your time and your attention. If you don't take measures to own it someone else will. It is your responsibility to protect your purpose and your peace, to not allow the someone else's behavior or disrespect detract you from your pursuit of God's glory. So, ask yourself:
"Do the intentions of the people in my space look like love?"
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ~1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
"Is my time with them increasing or stunting my growth?"
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ~1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
"Are they inclined to operate in truth or fiction?
Do they have my back or just talk behind it?"
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ~1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NIV
It's amazing how an instrument can be used in one context for music and another for noise. The word cymbal is mentioned 16 times in the New International Version of the Bible. In all those instances (except 1 Corinthians), it is used to help describe the orchestration of music, love songs, as praise unto God.
Only the tenderness of a godly love can turn what normally would be considered noise into music. I can live with that.
If someone's voice is not in rhythm with God's flow, will it ever be in rhythm with yours?
Just as you should look like love, so should the people you surround yourself with.
Aren’t you ready for some tenderness?
There is a more excellent way. Choose music, not noise.
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Aww, we're in this thing now! Join me next week as take it higher and discover how to handle the "pastel people" in your life.
In the meantime, be sure to check out some our other recent blogs at godnme.org or visit us on Facebook @mygodnme.
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PHILLIPA WILLIAMS
WRITER | MENTOR | TEACHER |
LOVER OF CHOCOLATE |
PURPOSED TO EMPOWER |
30+ YEARS IN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP |
PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL
Phillipa also the Founder of ilooklikeLOVE, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization providing diaper assistance to families in need and opportunities for mothers to empower themselves.
Look for her upcoming book,
GOD n You: Finding Your Place in Forever.
