I have been praying for something for a long time; a deeper revelation of God. “Father, please reveal more of Yourself to me,” has been the simple cry of my heart.
This morning I have been awakened from another restless night of sleep. It is early. My thoughts are clear and the house is quiet. I am not distracted by anything or anyone; though part of me wishes for a distraction.
God has given me a revelation. He has shown me that sometimes His revelations are eye-opening exposures of the parts of me that must change so that I may become more like Him.
This is not the revelation I was hoping for.
I was hoping for a deeper revelation of God’s love. I was hoping for something warm and fuzzy.
The more He reveals to me about Him, the more the parts of me that don’t match Him are leaking out, shocking even myself with the truth of their disclosure.
He is showing me that to hide His Word in my heart requires much more than simply reading His Word and knowing it in my head. A person can memorize and know many things without the knowledge changing his or her heart.
As God, in His goodness, has slowly been revealing the darkness within, I have wanted to keep it a secret. I have longed to be made pure and holy and righteous in the sanctuary of my own home. Me and God’s little secret. I wish to hide away from the world until I am “all better.”
Thankfully, God is not revealing my sins to punish me or to make me feel like giving up. He’s answering the deepest cry of my heart- to be more like Him. Not even a hint of impurity is hidden from Him. My unwillingness to admit my darkness does not fool Him.
During this time of “revelation,” I am drawn to God’s Word like never before. I am desperate to be made clean and holy. One thing I know fully; I cannot change myself.
I know that I am not alone. James says it well when he says that “we all stumble in many ways.” (Jas. 3:2) Paul shares in Romans that we are to “not let sin reign in our mortal body so that we obey its evil desires.” (Rom. 6:12) We are also told that we are “sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.” (I Thess 5:5).
Our Inner World, the very core of our being—is the place where the Holy Spirit resides. The Spirit is not timid. We must not ignore that which leaks out and is brought to the light. The Spirit is power and love and self-discipline.
As we continue to ask God for a deeper revelation of who He is, I trust that He will continue to open our eyes to those parts of us that do not match Him.
Perhaps that is why He instructs us to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (I Pt. 4:7)
God will not relent until He has every part of us —are we willing to trust Him with the darkest parts of our hearts?
This is not the time to hide in our secret worlds. Our enemy, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. It’s time to hold onto Truth and learn to pray to the God of our souls for a deeper revelation.
Light always overcomes darkness.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Friday, January 27, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Things Are Not What They Appear To Be
Many years ago while employed by a large company in Anchorage, Alaska, I learned a valuable lesson that I have never forgotten.
Sprawled in large letters on the blackboard in the employee break room were the words, “THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.” It was drilled into our heads that we were to “assume nothing” and that open communication was a must.
Whether or not our position seemed important or insignificant, everything hummed along quite smoothly when we all worked together as a team. We learned quickly that there was no such thing as an insignificant position.
What about church?
Sometimes, as I walk through the front doors of the church, my heart is troubled; my thoughts far away. I mindlessly make my way through the maze of people in the foyer, through the doors of the sanctuary, plopping into my seat; hair in place, smile on face, children all in a row. Things are not what they appear to be.
Other times, I pray in the back room prior to service and my heart hurts for the people who are walking through the front doors of our church, and churches across America. I know there are those whose hearts are broken and whose faith is hanging on by a thread. They want to give up; but something called hope forces them through the doors, perhaps for the last time, in a desperate attempt to be seen and to be heard.
They may look polished and poised. They may have a smile on their face. They may look unapproachable or unfriendly. There are many “faces” one wears when full of pain or shame or heartbreak—only God can see to the truth that lies within. However, if we take time to look into the eyes of those who cross our paths, we may see that things are not what they appear to be.
There is no such thing as an insignificant person, just as there is no such a thing as an insignificant position. In order to reach the lost, the broken, and those without hope; we must assume nothing as we link arms, working together as a team.
God used a prostitute for His glory. God used a man whose bad attitude led him to a three-day-stay in the belly of a great fish. God used Moses and Abraham in their old age. God used Samuel when he was just a boy. God used David mightily although he was both an adulterer and a murderer. God used Ruth when she was a grieving widow and Joseph even though he was boastful.
From appearances, not one of the above mentioned men or women were qualified to be used by God. The Word of God doesn’t reveal their sins or weaknesses so that we can feel better about ourselves; but rather so we may more clearly identify with the real issues of our own hearts. In so doing, our hope is renewed as we see God’s ability to see past our humanity.
In the moments when we are willing to admit the truth regarding the depravity of our own hearts, God chooses to use our brokenness to reflect His love to others.
The next time you make your way through the maze of people in the foyer, through the doors of the sanctuary, plopping into your chosen seat, take a moment to look into the eyes of those around you, and remember…THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Sprawled in large letters on the blackboard in the employee break room were the words, “THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.” It was drilled into our heads that we were to “assume nothing” and that open communication was a must.
Whether or not our position seemed important or insignificant, everything hummed along quite smoothly when we all worked together as a team. We learned quickly that there was no such thing as an insignificant position.
What about church?
Sometimes, as I walk through the front doors of the church, my heart is troubled; my thoughts far away. I mindlessly make my way through the maze of people in the foyer, through the doors of the sanctuary, plopping into my seat; hair in place, smile on face, children all in a row. Things are not what they appear to be.
Other times, I pray in the back room prior to service and my heart hurts for the people who are walking through the front doors of our church, and churches across America. I know there are those whose hearts are broken and whose faith is hanging on by a thread. They want to give up; but something called hope forces them through the doors, perhaps for the last time, in a desperate attempt to be seen and to be heard.
They may look polished and poised. They may have a smile on their face. They may look unapproachable or unfriendly. There are many “faces” one wears when full of pain or shame or heartbreak—only God can see to the truth that lies within. However, if we take time to look into the eyes of those who cross our paths, we may see that things are not what they appear to be.
There is no such thing as an insignificant person, just as there is no such a thing as an insignificant position. In order to reach the lost, the broken, and those without hope; we must assume nothing as we link arms, working together as a team.
God used a prostitute for His glory. God used a man whose bad attitude led him to a three-day-stay in the belly of a great fish. God used Moses and Abraham in their old age. God used Samuel when he was just a boy. God used David mightily although he was both an adulterer and a murderer. God used Ruth when she was a grieving widow and Joseph even though he was boastful.
From appearances, not one of the above mentioned men or women were qualified to be used by God. The Word of God doesn’t reveal their sins or weaknesses so that we can feel better about ourselves; but rather so we may more clearly identify with the real issues of our own hearts. In so doing, our hope is renewed as we see God’s ability to see past our humanity.
In the moments when we are willing to admit the truth regarding the depravity of our own hearts, God chooses to use our brokenness to reflect His love to others.
The next time you make your way through the maze of people in the foyer, through the doors of the sanctuary, plopping into your chosen seat, take a moment to look into the eyes of those around you, and remember…THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Saturday, January 14, 2012
He Finished Well
As I awaken to a soft snowfall, a blanket of white covering the ground, highlighting the tree limbs in my backyard, I am deep in thought.
A new year has barely greeted us, new snowfall is all around us, yet the question I find myself asking is, “What really matters?”
I’m not trying to be negative, and at this moment I don’t have a bad attitude; but there are “happenings” in each of our lives that cause us to stop in our tracks, look around, and ask ourselves, “What really matters?”
Yesterday I found out that my Uncle Jim, after a difficult battle with cancer, passed away. Upon learning that I only saw him a handful of times in my growing up years and only twice in the last 20 years, you might wonder why such news could impact a person.
I am realizing that there are people in our lives who impact us greatly, and it has nothing to do with where they live, how often we see them, or whether or not they are related to us. Instead, they are people who make a mark on the fabric of our souls, and once having been around them, we are simply changed.
Each one of us has been put together with the hands of the same Father. Although each unique and one of a kind; there are some internal wirings that match across the board—such as our desire to find a person who’s character emulates that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to know that this walk of faith can weather the trials and tribulations of time. We need to believe that a person can not only start the race strong, but more importantly--that he or she can finish well.
Yesterday, I’m happy to say, I knew a man who finished well. Uncle Jim was a talented artist, a professor at a university in California, a tall man with a gentle nature and a strong heart to live for God. Uncle Jim was a loving big brother to my dad and absolutely adored his wife, Ana, a spitfire from Panama who loves the Lord as boldly as her personality.
As I have been pondering the true reason I am feeling the weight of the loss of my uncle, I believe it is because of the strength he held within; his determination to live a life of obedience to God. Although the Word of God is laced with example upon example of men and women of faith; Uncle Jim was tangible.
Perhaps you have such a person of faith in your own life; perhaps you are that person in another’s life. You may think that your life is not making an impact; let me assure you that whether or not you are aware of it, your life has far-reaching ramifications.
People are watching. People are longing for a tangible example that exudes the character of Christ.
There is no better life than one lived fully and passionately for God. When we draw our last breath, may it be said of each one of us that we finished well.
I believe this is what really matters.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
A new year has barely greeted us, new snowfall is all around us, yet the question I find myself asking is, “What really matters?”
I’m not trying to be negative, and at this moment I don’t have a bad attitude; but there are “happenings” in each of our lives that cause us to stop in our tracks, look around, and ask ourselves, “What really matters?”
Yesterday I found out that my Uncle Jim, after a difficult battle with cancer, passed away. Upon learning that I only saw him a handful of times in my growing up years and only twice in the last 20 years, you might wonder why such news could impact a person.
I am realizing that there are people in our lives who impact us greatly, and it has nothing to do with where they live, how often we see them, or whether or not they are related to us. Instead, they are people who make a mark on the fabric of our souls, and once having been around them, we are simply changed.
Each one of us has been put together with the hands of the same Father. Although each unique and one of a kind; there are some internal wirings that match across the board—such as our desire to find a person who’s character emulates that of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We need to know that this walk of faith can weather the trials and tribulations of time. We need to believe that a person can not only start the race strong, but more importantly--that he or she can finish well.
Yesterday, I’m happy to say, I knew a man who finished well. Uncle Jim was a talented artist, a professor at a university in California, a tall man with a gentle nature and a strong heart to live for God. Uncle Jim was a loving big brother to my dad and absolutely adored his wife, Ana, a spitfire from Panama who loves the Lord as boldly as her personality.
As I have been pondering the true reason I am feeling the weight of the loss of my uncle, I believe it is because of the strength he held within; his determination to live a life of obedience to God. Although the Word of God is laced with example upon example of men and women of faith; Uncle Jim was tangible.
Perhaps you have such a person of faith in your own life; perhaps you are that person in another’s life. You may think that your life is not making an impact; let me assure you that whether or not you are aware of it, your life has far-reaching ramifications.
People are watching. People are longing for a tangible example that exudes the character of Christ.
There is no better life than one lived fully and passionately for God. When we draw our last breath, may it be said of each one of us that we finished well.
I believe this is what really matters.
Stay the Course...
Sheila Cote
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Here We Go
(To all my "Valleybrook" followers: You may want to know that this blog is no longer attached to the VB website; instead it has been linked to my new family church, Gracepoint, in Adrian, MI. I still invite you to read and share your thoughts but I just wanted you to know why things may look different from what you are used to seeing. Love to you all! Sheila)
Here’s the truth—I am severely flawed.
At first glance, things may look “normal,” but trust me when I say that things are not what they appear to be.
Here’s another truth—you are severely flawed as well.
And that’s why we need each other.
I have absolutely nothing to offer another person other than that which is given to me as a gift from the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is one thing that I am certain of; that I was born to write. I do not get to pick and choose which parts of my heart I get to share and which parts are off-limits; instead, I get to be obedient to the One who knew me before there was time.
All that to say, I do not know what lies ahead for each one of us or what the journey we are embarking upon will reveal to our hearts. However, I can look back at history and see that the things we wish to be revealed to us from God’s heart oftentimes do not resemble what we “pictured,” but are always exactly what is needed to bring our character a smidgen closer to matching that of our precious Lord and Savior.
As journeys tend to go; I anticipate there will be some high points where God’s Word jumps out at us in a new way and we feel as strong as the eagle that soars high above the mountains. Other times, God will need to perform some intense open heart surgery as we make ourselves vulnerable to the changes we long for in our hearts--changes that can only come from the hands of the Chief Physician. Will we trust Him with those things in our hearts that force us to face areas of pain and heartbreak? Can we be messy together?
One thing I do know; the picture of the church as portrayed in God’s Word is one of interdependence—trusting in a new way those whom God has brought together in a building with four walls that we acknowledge as the church. We are the church. We need each other. Deal with that truth for a minute. Needing requires trust and vulnerability and authenticity.
Can we grow together and learn to trust one another with the vulnerability and authenticity needed to be messy and flawed; and yet be altogether accepted as we learn to live fully in our God-created identity?
I pray that God’s love and humility will cloak each one of us as we learn how to more completely become the church—the world is counting on us!!!
Let’s stay the course together…
Sheila Cote
Here’s the truth—I am severely flawed.
At first glance, things may look “normal,” but trust me when I say that things are not what they appear to be.
Here’s another truth—you are severely flawed as well.
And that’s why we need each other.
I have absolutely nothing to offer another person other than that which is given to me as a gift from the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is one thing that I am certain of; that I was born to write. I do not get to pick and choose which parts of my heart I get to share and which parts are off-limits; instead, I get to be obedient to the One who knew me before there was time.
All that to say, I do not know what lies ahead for each one of us or what the journey we are embarking upon will reveal to our hearts. However, I can look back at history and see that the things we wish to be revealed to us from God’s heart oftentimes do not resemble what we “pictured,” but are always exactly what is needed to bring our character a smidgen closer to matching that of our precious Lord and Savior.
As journeys tend to go; I anticipate there will be some high points where God’s Word jumps out at us in a new way and we feel as strong as the eagle that soars high above the mountains. Other times, God will need to perform some intense open heart surgery as we make ourselves vulnerable to the changes we long for in our hearts--changes that can only come from the hands of the Chief Physician. Will we trust Him with those things in our hearts that force us to face areas of pain and heartbreak? Can we be messy together?
One thing I do know; the picture of the church as portrayed in God’s Word is one of interdependence—trusting in a new way those whom God has brought together in a building with four walls that we acknowledge as the church. We are the church. We need each other. Deal with that truth for a minute. Needing requires trust and vulnerability and authenticity.
Can we grow together and learn to trust one another with the vulnerability and authenticity needed to be messy and flawed; and yet be altogether accepted as we learn to live fully in our God-created identity?
I pray that God’s love and humility will cloak each one of us as we learn how to more completely become the church—the world is counting on us!!!
Let’s stay the course together…
Sheila Cote
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