Newsletter from W.I.T.N.E.S.S. Book Club

Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."

In the beginning months of 1995, I was encouraged to enter a local beauty contest. This was the first time in my life that I had ever considered entering, but I did and much to my surprise, I WON!!!! Wow, I was amazed and excited and I thought it was a great opportunity. I was then encouraged to enter a state contest that would take place in the Newport Beach area in the month of August. I discussed it with my husband and we agreed that I should enter the Mrs. Southern California Beauty Pageant. This pageant was definitely going to be more of a challenge, but I was up for it. During the weekend that we were preparing for the contest, I met wonderful women from all parts of Southern California, and it was a chance to try something new. Well, it's the final moments before the winner would be announced and it seemed as though for a moment that time completely stopped. At the end of the event, I was selected as the 2nd Runner Up in the Mrs. Southern California Beauty Contest. One would think that I should have been bouncing off the walls with excitement, but it was quite the contrary. I was more than bummed that I didn't win.
Little did I know that in less than two weeks after this event that the Lord would give me the idea to begin a book club for Christian women. I was so focused on the fact that I didn't win, that I couldn't enjoy the success that I had attained, nor realize the fact that if I had won the contest I would have been off for at least a year discussing and rallying for my platform. This would have had me physically and mentally in another zone, and quite possibly not in a position to hear the Lord when He spoke to me regarding W.I.T.N.E.S.S. Book Club. That was more than 13 years ago, and Praise God, we are still going strong.

You see, the phrase "It's Not About YOU" is one that we've heard countless times, but I wonder if we really comprehend the true meaning and essence of this powerful phrase. When you accept the Lord as your Savior, it is no longer "you" who lives, but Christ who lives in you. In the above passage of scripture, the self-centered, self-righteous Saul died as he yielded the throne of his life to Christ. But he didn't do this in his own strength. The living Christ Himself took up residence in his heart, because he stated "Christ lives in me."

Sisters, when you surrender your will to the Lord and as you say "yes Lord" daily, He will empower you to do that which seems impossible as well. It is no longer about your agenda, your goals, your expectations, etc. In our self-absorbed, Me, Me, Me, culture this is a totally foreign concept for even the Church to embrace. It is also a difficult concept to embrace. Many have been taught to plan for your future, and to set and accomplish goals for your life. Additionally, many have also come to believe that if things don't go according to "the plan", that surely, they have done something wrong. Proverbs 16:9 states, "A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Personally, I caught the vision that "my life was not my own" two years after the pageant. My husband and I were preparing to dine out for breakfast. It was there in my bedroom between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. that it hit me like a ton of bricks that "my life was not my own." I must say I was overwhelmed at best. In fact, I was speechless! More so, because I knew that if I opened my mouth to utter one word that a flood gate of tears would begin to pour from my eyes. I realized at that moment that it was no longer about my goals, my dreams, my timeline, etc. my life was no longer (not that it had ever been) my own. I tried to hold off from speaking for as long as I could, but we arrived at the restaurant and I had to order breakfast, and at that moment when I opened my mouth, YES, a flood gate of tears began to pour. The waitress thought I was ill and she assured me that my breakfast would be there immediately. Of course I was not sick, but I didn't even know I needed to come to this realization, and I for sure had no idea that I would be affected in this manner.

That was more than 10 years ago, and I thank God for that awakening. I have grown in areas and ways I would have never imagined, but I must still choose to die daily and continue to realize that "It's not about me." My life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). In fact, just a few years ago, I was yet again consumed with how things were not going as planned. The Lord spoke very clearly to me and said, "you are so busy holding on to your idea of how things should be, that you can't let go to experience all that I have for you, which is far better than your idea." Ouch!!! Are there dreams, plans, ideas, etc. that you are holding on to as well? If you know the Lord is moving you in a different direction for this season, trust His lead. He really does love you. The thoughts and plans that he has for you are for good, and not for evil. He has a future and a hope for you (Jer. 29:11), and his plans for you are far better than you could ever imagine. If this is a challenging area for you, ask the Holy Spirit to assist you and I can assure you that He will. Just take the initial step, and He will be there as you travel on your set journey.

Sisters, I encourage you to completely allow the Lord to truly be Lord of your life. As you do, this will enable you to fully embrace the fact that "It's Not About You."