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| By Genny Moellring (Board Member and Treasurer of More than Music) |
"Do Hard Things"
Recently our pastor challenged the congregation to
read the book, "Do Hard Things". This book was
written by twin teens, Alex & Brett Harris. They wrote
the book as "a teenage rebellion against low
expectations."
I read the book along with our Grandson, Trevor. While the book was written to challenge teens to go against the culture which expects little from teens, I found the book to be a challenge to those of us reaching our senior years. In fact, it is good for any of us, regardless of our age. Basically, the two authors offered 5 kinds of hard 1) Doing things that take you outside your comfort zone 2) Doing things that go beyond what is expected or required 3) Doing things that are too big for you to do alone 4) Doing things that don't pay off immediately 5) Doing things that go against the crowd Why did I choose this subject for FROM THE HEART? Because I believe that often we sit back in our comfort zone and choose to not step out and move based on what we know God is calling us to do or to do the BEST things in a 24-hour period that God has given to us. I especially chose this topic because as a senior myself, I find that our society does not expect much from seniors nor are seniors respected for their wisdom and contribution that can be made to the younger generations. Even in our churches, the emphasis is on the youth and appealing to the younger generation. My challenge to you. 1) Read this book 2) Listen to what God is prompting you to do 3) Act on what God is prompting you to do 4) DO HARD THINGS What are some of the hard things that we need to do from day to day. For some, 1) It is just getting up in the morning because of depression, emotional frailty, illness. 2) Taking a stand against sin in your life or in your home. 3) Choosing to disassociate yourself from friends or even family that are not a good influence on your life. Sometimes due to life's circumstances this has to be a clean break other times you must apply the principal of Matt 18. 4) Really forgiving someone that has wronged you. 5) Stepping out and doing something that is outside your comfort zone. 6) Sharing your idea(s) with others who would be willing to stand with you, help you plan and implement your idea(s). 7) Sharing your heart with a few friends and asking them to share their heart with you - praying for one another, holding each other accountable. 8) Sacrificially support another who is following God's calling on their life. 9) Be willing to be vulnerable - this may mean being unfairly judged, having others gossip about you, being rejected, being hurt. 10) Doing what you know is right even when others are not watching, or even if no one ever knows. The rewards: 1) Bringing glory to our Lord in life's actions. 2) Knowing you have been obedient to God's leading in your life each day. 3) Knowing another's life has been touched by your example even if you are not aware of whom that might be. 4) A deep joy that goes beyond comprehension or understanding. God bless you as you DO HARD THINGS. |
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| By Stephanie Pauline |
I hope you were encouraged today! As a
singer/songwriter, and the president of this non profit
there are many times I have been at a loss as to how
to proceed. In the music "business" there are no easy
prescriptions for "success." Besides that I am a
person
who can be prone to self-doubt. Believe it of not I have
to
do a great deal of wrestling internally to network with
industry people as I tend to feel bashful and shrink
from really conveying what I know to be true in my
heart of hearts about me and this ministry God has
called me to.
In the last few years though I have really just pressed myself up against the wall and asked myself what is really true about myself. Do I believe that I was meant to do this? Yes. Do I think God has given me something to say the world needs to hear? Yes. I have seen and felt the need first hand. I have witnessed the light dawn on a darkened face through this message God has given me to carry - so resoundingly I'm impelled to say it again - yes! Do I have the talent and capability to do this? Yes, by God's mercy, yes. Then I just go out there and "Do Hard Things!" I just go do what God has called me to do and trust Him with the rest. So go ahead - right!? Book another 80-date tour! Let someone get close enough to touch your need! Take that risk in obedience to Him! Let's get our pride and fear out of the way! This isn't about us anyway. It never has been - never will be and that is SUCH a relief! |
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