And so – we write for five minutes, our words tumbling out – no editing, no polishing – just flat out on a one word prompt! We gather all our beautiful thoughts here in our Five Minute Friday community and then love on each other as only we can do! Click here to learn all about it.
Home is where the Five Minute Friday community gathers so please join us at Kate Motaung’s for our Friday fun!
WORLD
GO…
I have been learning that I am meant to make a difference. Step out of the boat and be brave! I was not made for silence!
With all that said, I am a “chicken” by nature. When God calls, He is waiting for us to be at the ready with our “yes”. Stepping out in courage does not always mean that we are called across the world. Stepping out can be making a difference in our own neighborhood. The bottom line is that we were meant to carry out the plans that God has chosen for us.
One step leads to many and this takes us straight into the arms of God. His arms look like the hugs of gratitude we receive when we have honored Him. His arms look like the faces of joy that sit before us when we have said “yes” to making a difference. God shows up in our acts of blessing others as our gift of praise back to Him.
[Tweet “One step leads to many and this takes us straight into the arms of God.”]
We are called to do the work of God. Let us go out into the world together to make a difference. Let us heed God in all we do!
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
The verse above asks us to work for God using the gifts that the Spirit has given us. Isn’t its simplicity beautiful?
STOP
Blessings,
Mary
Don’t forget our first ever FMF Retreat is less than two months away! Click below to find out everything you need to know and to register! 🙂
The simplicity IS beautiful and so was your take on World! We can’t do it without the help of the Holy Spirit and we weren’t meant to ♥
Amen! The Holy Spirit is the guide we need when we do not where we are going. He gifts us and makes us who we are. So good to see you today!
Ah yes… I think we all have had our chicken moments! 😉 We encourage one another to try on bold, take risks, and cross those chicken lines all the time… and you know what? Each time we do – we get a little more brave!
I agree! There is strength in community and in the way we build into each other. It is a beautiful thing. I have moments where I have become braver because someone was leading the way before me and I trusted the path that was there. Love seeing you here and loved hanging with you Thursday night!!! 🙂
Yep, chicken by nature right here, too. Brave is not a word I lean into. You challenge me and I need that, Mary. I guess I better prepare myself for all that you’re going to speak into my life in the days ahead.
;-}
Hugs for you this weekend, girl!
I find that I was called out by my friend Holly about my lack of bravery. She took that and turned it around so quick by reminding me that I am braver than I believe. There is truth to that and I believe the same thing about you Linda. God’s truth is being spoken in love through our friends. We both need to hold onto the truth and let God lead the way. Here we go!!!! Have a wonderful weekend!
I tend to be a chicken too. And also need to often remind myself that being a world-changer doesn’t only mean going to another country. We can be a world-changer right in our neighborhood. This is where that word SELFLESS of mine comes to mind because I do think I’m guilty of putting my own needs and conveniences before stepping out and helping someone in need. Convicting.
Happy Friday, friend.
xoxo
I don’t want to be a chicken but it is my default. I believe we are very similar in many ways. I see you reaching out in your own neighborhood and love learning more about you when you share your visions and actual follow through of hospitality. We all are guilty of too much “me” time but God knows that and wants us to keep looking outward. Love you friend!
“I have been learning that I am meant to make a difference.” — This is SO much of what I have been learning in the last year or so. It has been one of the things that depression has taught me, oddly enough. We are apparently on the same wavelength in writing on this week’s prompt. Mine is along the same lines. I absolutely agree that often making a difference begins in our own neighbourhood or community. Thank you for sharing your heart and for making a difference! I’m looking forward to meeting you at the retreat in August!
Your words bring such sweetness this morning as I read them. I love the connection we have not only in being part of this FMF community but also in how God is leading us to share our hearts through our writing. Have a blessed weekend!
From one chicken to another….good, thoughtful post. FMF #41
I guess I have a lot of good company in my world of lacking bravery! I do know that it is only with God that I will be made strong. Blessed you stopped by today.
If we all would put the gifts God has given us to proper us, the WORLD would definitely be a better place for us all.
Thanks for sharing this inspiration Mary, have a super blessed weekend!
Love
I loved seeing you here today! God has chosen our gifts and who He wants us to be as a gift to us and we honor Him when we then follow HIs calling in our life. Your encouragement is a gift to me. Have a blessed weekend!
You are much braver than you give yourself credit for, Mary!! Really we all have those moments of “chicken”, so no one is alone here. I’m just glad we can encourage one another to say yes, to go where He leads, and to be brave. And I appreciate your example of doing just that! xoxo
Thank you for cheering me on. I do have a sense of bravery at times but don’t feel like I am always brave. I love calling you friend and knowing that we are on this journey together. Bravery was meant to be done in community! Love you girl and enjoy your weekend!
We are called to make a difference. Yes and sometimes that is right in our backyards instead of across the world. I think it is easy to forget that.
It is very easy to forget that saying “yes” can be right next door. I love how you encourage me and others. Thank you for this gift. Happy weekend!
Mary,
I believe we had the same thought! Being used exactly where we are-intentionally placed. 🙂 And how wonderful to remind us that our gifts are different and all wonderful and for His plan and purpose!
Love and hugs,
Tammy
(#5 at fmf this week)
We were thinking along the same lines this evening. God has the plan and the beauty is that we just need to be ready to embrace how He calls us to sue our gifts. SO glad you stopped by. Have a beautiful weekend!
Cluck.
From one fellow chicken to another…I’d almost rather be called across the world than across the street. There’s something so, I don’t know, intimate? more permanent?, about reaching out to neighbors. It seems fraught with more risk. Like what if she doesn’t like me a gives me the stink-eye for the rest of our years together on this street?
I’m actually rolling my eyes at myself right now.
You crack me up, girl! I agree that sometimes the actual thought of working close to home as God has called can be more intimidating than going across the world where we do not know anyone. Whew! This reaching out business can be mighty hard! Have a great weekend!
Beautiful words, friend. Thanks for the reminder that my job is only to trust that He will glorify His name throughout the world with what He’s given me. I love this simple, yet inspiring message. And this is for my journal: “One step leads to many and this takes us straight into the arms of God” Perfect!
Thank you for encouraging me right back with your comment. Knowing that God is in charge and ready to lead us as He chooses is so reassuring to me. I love that we are in the FMF community together! Happy weekend!
Just being faithful with the gift God has given me. Isn’t that the simple truth? But so often I feel like I need to keep up with what someone else is doing, measuring my progress by their finished product, and feeling disheartened by the unfavorable comparison. Thank you for this reminder tonight, dear friend! God will finished what He started in and through each of us.
Yes He will! Comparisons are the easiest trap to fall into but our faithfulness for God will always be rewarded. Thank you for being here and encouraging me. I realize that I miss seeing you since I haven’t been at #fmfparty much until tonight. Blessings for a beautiful weekend!