whatever-it-takes-chick

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments that you have really lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love. ~ Henry Drummond

Holly tells a story about herself at the very beginning of the Whatever-It-Takes Chick chapter. She talks about how she feels like she should join the circus with her plate-spinning act. She has her wife plate, mom plate, pastor plate, author plate, speaker plate, and friend plate, all spinning at one time. Can you relate?

She was in the shower feeling overwhelmed and began to cry out to God, you know, trying to get Him to feel sorry for her because she had so much going on. Instead of feeling sorry for her, God asked Holly which plate she wanted to drop. She thought for a moment and told the Lord that she didn't want to drop any of those plates, she loved all the various aspects of her life. To which the Lord replied, "Well, you better get great at spinning them because there are even more coming your way!"

Holly goes on to say that she often times finds herself praying for more - more increase, more provision, more blessing. She says that although this prayer request is not wrong, that perhaps instead of asking for more, we should pray that God will make us bigger, ask Him to increase us. Don't get me wrong, she's not talking about asking God to make our physical bodies bigger - yikes! Think Prayer of Jabez. This prayer is asking to enlarge your territory - your area of responsibility. Basically, you would be asking God for another plate. Holly cautions her readers by saying, "Be careful when you pray that! You are asking God for another plate to spin!"

But know that God needs us to be great at handling a lot. We can't be wilting under the pressure. We can't be decreasing in passion or ability. Our Lord needs us to be doing our part, which includes growing, stretching, and becoming stronger. We have to be the ones who will do whatever it takes to get the job done! (God Chicks, pages 188 - 189)

The whatever-it-takes chick knows and understands that her Lord wants to bless her and provide all that she needs to fulfill her purpose on the earth. She realizes that He is not withholding anything from her that she requires in order to be successful. We serve a God who longs for us to do well in life. He does not sit on His golden throne, throwing hardships at us, hoping that we will fail, and then mocking us when we do. Thank goodness that's not the God that we serve! There are humans who behave in this way, but not our King! Often times, however, we get caught up in what is an actual need verses a want. There are a lot of things that I want, but I have everything that I need. It's okay to have wants, as long as you don't get wrapped up in them, and refuse to do God's work.

What would happen if all of the pastors quit working because they all wanted new cars, Blackberries, all-expense paid trips around the world, and bigger churches. We would be in a world of hurt. Would these things help their ministries? Absolutely! New cars that are a little bigger would help them pick up others on their way to church on Sunday. Blackberries could help the pastors keep up with all of their email from the parishioners. World trips could be used to serve others around the world, bringing Light to these lost peoples. Bigger churches would have more room for more people to hear these pastors bring the Word of God. BUT, are these needs?

God will provide for you. He always has and He always will. Look around you right now. What are you lacking that you truly need? Holly Wagner tells her readers that the only one stopping you from having what you need is you. So, think to yourself, are you doing something to compromise God's ability to give you what you need. Are you standing in the way of the goodness that God wants you to have?

Another piece of wisdom is to take care of what you have been given. Recognize what the Lord has given you, and care for it. Do not neglect what has been given to you. If you want abundance in anything - your marriage, finances, talent, friendship, career - take care of what you have NOW!

Remember the parable that Jesus tells in Matthew about the talents?

14-18"It's also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.

19-21"After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'

22-23"The servant with the two thousand showed how he also had doubled his master's investment. His master commended him: 'Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner.'

24-25"The servant given one thousand said, 'Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.'

26-27"The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.

28-30"'Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this "play-it-safe" who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.'

(From the Message Bible)

So, obviously, the master is God, and we are one of the three servants. Which servant do you want to be? The talents represent our abilities, time, resources, and opportunities to serve God while on earth. These things are considered by God as a trust that we are responsible to administer in the wisest possible way.

My mom used to say, "Privilege and responsibility go hand in hand." There were hand motions too, that ended up with both hands clasped together. I hated to hear this. My sister and I could feel it coming, and when she uttered these words, it always made me shudder, and then it made me angry. I thought I got it. But now, I get it! Everything we receive from the Lord is our privilege. What we do with it is our responsibility. Take care of the things that God has given you.

Have you ever seen a diamond when it is first mined? It is not the pretty stone that sits on my finger, that's for sure! I can guarantee you that if the jewelry store had tried to convince my husband to buy a diamond in the raw, he would have walked right out of the store, probably mumbling under his breath. The raw material is not as important as how it's developed. Once the diamond has been cut and polished up, and placed in the setting, it now becomes something special, whereas, an ugly piece of coal, not so much. YOU are more important as you grow and develop.

Do you remember when you were first saved? I was seventeen - a senior in high school. My world was crashing all around me, and my friend knew it. She brought me to church with her, and my life has never been the same!

But, can you imagine if I'd been content to just be saved. I would never have grown or matured. I was happy to be a new Christian, but excited to move forward. However, I couldn't go far until I'd mastered whatever I was working on first. It would be hard to have started this Blog twelve years ago, before I really understood who my Lord was. So I learned, and worked, and put forth effort. Did I have a goal? You betcha! Was I discontented in my current state? Nope! Just happy to be with my Lord and Savior!

It's the same way with you! If you have a minimum wage job that you're not thrilled with, do it in excellence! Be the best employee. Have a good attitude towards your job! This is how one moves up in life. Someone will notice you, and your good attitude and willingness to work hard will pay off! Don't ask for a bigger, better job until you are great at the one you have. (Holly Wagner, God Chicks, page 192)

Whatever-it-takes chicks want to increase her capacity and ability to handle more. We live in a "I WANT IT NOW!!!" society. But, somethings you have to increase yourself first, before you can have it. Ooh, touchy. "But I'm not the problem - he is!" Instead of asking God to change others, maybe you should try asking God to change your heart. If your kids are driving you absolutely crazy, stop blaming them and look at yourself. What can YOU do to help the situation, and pray that God will reveal these things to you.

There are things that you can do specifically to increase your capacity and ability. "Study hard, read a book [a week] (yeah right), stay married when you feel like leaving, write a letter to a friend when you'd rather shop (or play on the Internet), play with your children when you want some alone time, write when you feel like sleeping, work out when you feel like playing, control your emotions when you feel like screaming, forgive when you feel like hating, overcome limitations when you want to quit." (God Chicks, pages 192-193)

Girls, be ever so careful who you spend most of your time with. If you are spending a lot of time with bitter, negative, critical people, the odds are not in your favor. Eventually, you will become bitter, negative, and critical. Their capacity in tiny, and it will not help you enlarge yours. I'm not saying that you should avoid these people at all costs. Just don't surround yourself with them. Make sure that you spend more time with positive people who help to encourage and enlarge you. These ladies are probably women who are committed to enlarging themselves as well.

Remember that God wants you to grow and live in abundance. He wants your capacity and abilities to increase more than anyone else! He's on your side, Chicks!

So, my advice to you: 1) Don't buckle under pressure. 2) Go above and beyond. 3) Be generous with what the Lord has blessed you with. Be a giver, not a getter!