What I Learned at Lit

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  But grace is given to each of one us according to the measure of Christ's gift."  Ephesians 4:1-7

I attended a conference this weekend called, Lit. It was hosted by Beth Moore, especially for the younger generation of writers and speakers who feel called into that particular ministry. 

I am excited first, that at 39 years old, I still qualified. Yay for that. I am excited next, because the relatively small gathering (only 744 of us) were treated to a raw and passionate (even more than usual!) "older sister" encouragement by Beth, as well as a few who are not much older, but in the thick of this very ministry. It was a blessed, inspiring time together. 

I wish that all of you who have been entrusted with this ministry could have been there, because you would have surely been as encouraged. Now that I am home, I am trying to process the lessons I took from there. There are many which would stretch far beyond just speaking and writing ministry, into the lives many of us live in ministry in various parts of God's kingdom. As I processed, I thought you may benefit from some of the take aways I had. 

Some of these were things Beth specifically said, and some that I learned from her apart from her words.  Here are some of the  highlights: 

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• We are all Christ communicators. In our own ministries, we have all been entrusted to play our part in communicating Christ and His love for mankind. 
• You cannot serve God unless you know Him. Studying and praying are essential to all communicators of Christ. Intimate time with God isn't time for writing lessons, blog posts or books. It is time to get to know you the One about whom you are communicating. Beth said, that 90% of what she teaches, writes and speaks about is from her time with God - but that is not the purpose of that time. 
• If you are teacher, you have to do your homework. A "teacher" who doesn't study, is just a "talker" who likes to hear themselves talk.
• Intercessory prayer is how we keep from being too much like ourselves. It reminds us we are part of a bigger world, and we are just part of God's kingdom - not the center of it.
• No matter where your ministry takes you, always stay under the authority of a local body of the church. They will keep you in line with the truth.
• When it comes to relationships, she said to have "Authenticity with all, transparency with most and intimacy with some." 
• Regardless of your ministry, but especially if you are in the limelight, die to adoration early. 
• You cannot do 1000 things for the glory of God. You can't fan into flame a whole bunch of stuff at once, you will get burnt out. 
• Chose a couple of things. Make those the center of your life - don't give to other what isn't yours to give. You have been entrusted.
• Don't live a life that is naturally explainable. 
• Ask for supernatural power, to fan into flame your ministry, for clarity, knowledge, discernment, new revelations and for Him to fulfill every promise you find in Scripture. 
• Finally, Beth taught me by her actions that passion speaks louder than words - so I need make sure my passion is lined up with the truth. But, that is a different blog post for another day :) 

These opportunities to learn at the feet of someone who is actively living out her calling, is one too blessed to forget quickly. I wish you were all there. 

I can feel that this weekend ignited a new passion for me. I am an entrusted Christ communicator. I want to be worthy of this calling. May you feel the fire in your bones as well. 
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"Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces?"  
​Jeremiah 23:39

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit of not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:6
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​Having Everything,
​Courtney