Some kids you have to tell to do their homework. You may even have to remind them, sit with them, offer rewards. And other kids? You have to beg them to take a break, to learn to relax, not to worry so much about the spelling test.
I can’t help but think about those two kids when I think about yesterday’s post. Because some of us are seeking our art and searching after success with all of her intricate baggage, while others of us are hiding under the kitchen table, wanting to be brave but feeling safe while we’re invisible. There are cautions in either pursuit.
Because there is a difference between embracing the small places in the midst of success, and hiding out in small places out of fear of success. Our smallness is a reminder, not a cover up. It is a healing place of hope, not a hiding place of fear. We are not to hide in our small place, we are only to hide in Christ — and to go with him wherever he takes us.
The truth about humility is that it is simply seeing ourselves as God sees us: both no more . . . and no less. God writes the big stories. He writes stories about shepherds killing giants, about a baby born King, about young girls carrying the Hope of the world inside. He writes stories we wouldn’t dare dream up. And he writes in a part for us. But it’s all his idea, not ours. So the credit is his. And so is the risk.
You wrote this for me, didn’t you?
Joy @ B-Joyful´s last [type] ..break through the ignorosphere
I’ve never quite thought about it that way. That humility is simply seeing ourselves as he does and that the risk is all his. Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your posts.
Amy Nabors´s last [type] ..Winter Trees
This is the perfect follow up to yesterday’s post. I think fear of failure holds a lot of people back.
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama´s last [type] ..The Amazing Spaghetti Squash a tutorial
To see ourselves as God sees us – both no more and no less. Yes.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Soul Eyes
It is counterintuitive to trust isn’t it? We are made to think that we have to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and go it alone. This causes great paralysis. But, if we trust what He says and see ourselves as He does we know that the safest place is where he has called us. It isn’t always the most comfortable place, but it is safest. This post was right on time for me this morning. Have a great Tuesday!
David Willis´s last [type] ..I remember how it felt and I will never go there again
I’m not sure why this brings me to tears. Perhaps because it is oh so true and yet so difficult for me to live. You know, I’ve always known the credit must be – and is – all His, but I’ve never considered that the risk is His, too. Knowing, understanding and believing something like that can be a game changer, I think.
Imperfect´s last [type] ..And They Just Keep Coming
“And he writes in a part for us.” Just the reminder my scared heart needed. Thanks!
Jamie @ Six Bricks High´s last [type] ..Thoughts
Thank you for speaking such truth!
Amy´s last [type] ..Grace for my Groom
Oh wow. I got the goosebumps. You spoke to me this morning for sure. I am so afraid of not being invisible, yet He is calling me out. I just have to know He is writing the story and I have to be willing to play my part.
Thank you Emily!
Bernice
Living the Balanced Life´s last [type] ..4 ways to be like the Energizer Bunny
This post brought me to tears. I need to get out of my head, crawl out from under the table and just let Him move however that may be.
We read aloud a great prayer in church on Sunday. I wished I had had time to write it down. But it struck me that fear makes us small and keeps us from speaking out of our strengths and gifts. Thanks for this great post.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..A Great Conversation in a Penske Truck
“the idea, the credit and the risk…” yes. His.
adornedlife´s last [type] ..savor
So good as always! I find myself bouncing back and forth like a ping pong ball from one side to another…hiding in fear….then pursuing (to “prove” myself)….then hiding again….then pursuing.
But God is teaching me the art of abiding. It’s this weird middle place that’s easy to slip out of. A place where the Holy Spirit tells you when and how and why to pursue and all the while showing you how much you are in need of your source….your life support…The Vine. It’s a tight rope….so easy to try and run hastily ahead and fall off…or look down in fear and fall off. Instead it’s a slow and steady walk…step by step….while listening to the Spirit and keeping your eyes on Jesus.
How I hope I learn this art soon!
And some of us are both kids seeking – yet hiding – but we all have the same God and Father. So true Emily,
the battle is the Lord’s,
His will not mine,
more of him, less of me.
Thank you and God Bless you and all of yours
Craig´s last [type] ..Love finds peace pt 5
Oh Emily, how I can be like this when writing….the whole putting one’s self fully out there, scary and I needed this reminder: “it is simply seeing ourselves as God sees us: both no more . . . and no less. ” And no less. No LESS. There’s the humble and then there’s the less…and some days I’m waffling between the two. Thank you Emily for these words, His words.
Tammy@If Meadows Speak…´s last [type] ..Writing the way I was created but do I
Powerful words here! Thank you for encouraging my heart, which drifts between the two, and often in extremes.
Esther´s last [type] ..Are you a Glory Hog
Love this today. It is so true. Thank you for encouraging each of us. I think it is so easy to see ourselves as less. That is the idea for me, to see myself as He sees me and trust Him to fix those things that need fixing.
Pattyann´s last [type] ..Sometimes- we get sick
So true. I think Gods get a chuckle watching us think it is all about us when He is the creator of EVERTHING including our strengths. Our weakness is also made perfect in him. Beautiful post
Katie @ Imperfect People´s last [type] ..I had to “Be Still” Carrie Cooper’s story
I’ve been away from computer for a few days, so I’m going to have to go catch up on yesterday’s post now! But, i have a feeling it’s speaking to me.
Thank you.
Cat Moore´s last [type] ..An Update
thank you emily. you are such a blessing…my heart indeed lets out a deep breath and sighs good when you say: ‘and he writes in a part for us…the credit is all his. so is the risk.’
you have the right subtitle for your blog, you know:)
Abby´s last [type] ..Our Story God’s Story- Part 9
Yes… as He sees me– no more and no less. Here I’ve been trying to write my own story again, but He’s already written it and is assuming the risk for me. Thank you for giving us a safe place to express our fears and doubts and helping us think through and TRUST His will for us.
xoxo
Heidi M´s last [type] ..What I Learned This Week
Reading this and breathing deep. Your words allow freedom. Thank you Emily!
Emma´s last [type] ..counting thanks
…”and so is the risk”. Love that. I was recently reminded that obidience is better than sacrifice. I think this post gently ties into that beautiful walk of grace. Thank you so much! RQ
Robyn Q´s last [type] ..John 10-10
Love this last line, Emily. YES! I’ve been listening lately to a song by Misty Edwards, “I Knew What I Was Getting Into”– the words talk about about how Jesus knows the whole of our Story, and calls us into it, just the same– mess and mistakes and all.
And, I just read about you going to the Philippines with Compassion! How thrilling and hard and deeply Good. Can’t wait to read about your experience there! Thanks for saying “yes” to that.
Laura@Life Overseas´s last [type] ..Creativity in Kids In Grown-Ups
I think you are amazing, Emily.
I like this post very much. It reminds me of a Nelson Mandella quote, but I can’t write the whole thing here. I can’t remember the whole thing off the top of my head either, but he says it is our light, not our darkness that we fear. It’s good, so you should look it up.
The idea, the credit and the risk. If we really believe that, it should take the pressure off of us. Now I need to work on believing it.
amanda´s last [type] ..dreams
Wow, I never thought of it that way… I guess I should just take more risks then =)
Henway´s last [type] ..iPage tips
Oh wow, Emily. You have no idea how this speaks to my heart today. Your last paragraph . . . I’ll have to read it over and over to just savor it. Thank you for this.
Shelly W.´s last [type] ..You Again
Yes, yes, and YES!
My prayer lately {as it always should have been} is that I do God’s will with everything, and wow, doesn’t that take the pressure off?! Use me as You see fit, Lord, and I’ll revel in my smallness if that’s where You place me. And I won’t be afraid of growing if that’s Your design either.
Beautiful words, Emily!
michelle @ this little light´s last [type] ..Top Ten Reasons We Should Live Like A 4-Year-Old
Boy did I need to read this, this morning!
misty´s last [type] ..Blogaches
I’m not sure where this comment fits — if anywhere — with your last two posts. I have a lovely friend who got a book deal at the same time I did: hers for an amazing space trilology, mine for a little historical novel. It’s been fun to watch her journey unfold. The week of her release, she hit the NYT bestseller’s list. She is a beautiful, grounded soul, and is handling all this with so much poise. I’m so grateful her experience will not be mine. I don’t think I could handle the pressure to produce the next two books with the same success. I’m thankful my work won’t make a commercial splash but will hopefully find a happy home in schools and libraries.
That said, the literary world needs both big and small titles. No one work will appeal to everyone, which is so rich to remember as we create.
Beautifully said, Emily. And, like so many of your posts, this one sounds as if it comes from a deep place of experience–of having wondered and then accepted, deep within, the peace-proof that God provides.
Richella at Imparting Grace´s last [type] ..Dinner for Real- Crustless Quiche
This is the sort of truth and inspiration and perspective that leads me back home when my mind and actions and impulses are elsewhere. It’s all His. It truly is.
Scooper´s last [type] ..Decade Girl
Linked here from Katie’s (Foot of the Cross). Good post, great blog. You are a good writer. I hope your book does well.
I love that! “it’s his idea. not ours. so the credit is his. and so is the risk.”
Your words never fail to pour wisdom into me!
Zhanna´s last [type] ..Inspirational Picasso
I love it. You are amazing. Sooooo cannot wait to read your book. So glad I found your blog.
wow! profound! one of the best descriptions i have ever read of humility. and what a way to view risk! it is as though you have reached inside and touched my soul…or rather, you allowed Christ to touch my soul yet again through your words. thank you for your gift of words! may they bring Him glory again and again!
Just love this – what encouragement for all of us. I love “God writes the big stories”. When we learn to trust Him it is amazing what doors He can open, or shut. There is no fear – no fear of success or of failure – because He is here. We keep trying because He wants us to; we learn, we grow, we gain friendships and knowledge. Thanks for opening our eyes and ears. Blessings, Jan
Jan´s last [type] ..Under the Cover of Prayer