What’s my mindset?

What is my mindset, and how does it align with God’s word? This is a courageous question and it requires immense amounts of transparency. It’s one that can often feel uncomfortable when we sit in reflection and realize, “In this area, I actually don’t align…” As a Christ follower, we use the Bible as a source of measurement. We take it, and ponder it asking ourselves, “How am I doing in this area?” at least that’s the point God desires us to get to, sometimes, however our source of measurement gets misplaced, and rather than using God’s word, we start to use people. When we start using people, specifically other women – we tiptoe a dangerous line, one that will quickly lead us toward the culture of this world rather than the Kingdom focus God is calling us toward.

Today, I want to spend a few moments talking about our mindset, what we think compared to what God’s word says.

The Word says…

Looking at scripture, we consistently find God pointing us toward a mindset of humility, valuing others, investing in them.

Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”

James 3:16, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

2 Corinthians 10:12, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”

Self vs. Kingdom

Taking these verses, and allowing them to wash over us, is necessary. How we treat others, and how we think of them says a lot about the status of our heart. It will quickly reveal to us areas of prayer, where we need to ask God’s help in refining, and molding us to align to His word.

Let’s do a quick check, where do we stand are we self-minded, or Kingdom-minded?

Self-mindedness looks at another woman and is threatened by her success.

Kingdom-mindedness looks at that same woman and has the courage to applaud that success.

Self-mindedness tells that woman to take a seat.

Kingdom-mindedness looks at that same woman and says here take my hand, let me help you stand.

Self-mindedness tempts a woman to use her hands (and her words) to lower that woman back to her “place.”

Kingdom-mindedness causes a woman to lower herself using those hands to wash that woman’s feet.

• What mindset do we have?
• What mindset do we want?

Truth is, self-mindedness causes us to focus on building our own kingdom. While Kingdom minded-ness drives us to find the courage to focus on allowing God to use us to build His.

The kingdom we try to build – it’s momentary, a vapor, a wisp, a breath.

The Kingdom He WILL build – is everlasting, eternal, unending – and initiates a ripple effect we CANNOT image.

What kingdom do we have?
What Kingdom do we desire?

mine OR HIS?

My kingdom is easy – our culture is cheering us on with unlimited reasons keep on building.

His Kingdom is not – it goes against the grain, and has a force that will continually work against you. It takes courage, the kind that can only be granted by God, and to find that courage requires a bow. The kind that takes us low enough and keeps us long enough to a place where we can find that courage to step off of our own perceived pedestal, and onto the platform where we link arms with our Sisters understanding that we are all on the same field as fellow workers for the Kingdom.

When we find that courage, we step off of the pedestal of selfishness, limitedness, competitiveness, bound living – and begin to experience true freedom. The freedom we are promised that a life lived for Jesus brings. A freedom that you will have no idea exists until you experience it.

Remember – Whom the son sets free is free indeed.

If Jesus has not set you free, if you have not submitted to him, and surrendered your life yet – please don’t stop…. There’s more, soooo much MORE.

It’s chains that keep us on that pedestal of self-mindedness…

And it’s Jesus who has the key and desires to get us out of those chains and into His freedom.

I want to be a woman who rallies around every woman I come into contact with – and I know with everything in me, that you do too. I want to cheer you on, wipe your tears, help you through, and wash your feet even when they’re dirty and carry a little stink (because you know what? Sometimes…mine do too).

I know you want those same things too.

So let’s be focused, let’s be intentional, and lets fight like mad against every self-minded thought that tempts us to be threatened by the women we’re supposed to be rallying around living this life with as warriors for God’s Kingdom – the fields are white, the workers are few… your Sister, the one that may have you feeling a bit threatened by… she’s not your adversary, she’s an answer to your prayer, “Lord, send more workers.” And you are an answer to her prayer asking, “Lord, please don’t let me go this alone.”

Let’s be She’s that possess the courage of Hur. Every She Needs a Hur