Outgrow your bowl!

Image by kellyandapril via FlickrHave you ever limited yourself? Put yourself in a box - a place that is safe and hard for you to fail? It is so easy to be afraid of potential or even success, without realizing it. We figure "if I don't speak then no one can disagree with me, if I don't act (out what I feel) no one can react." We actually become scared of something good.

I can't help but think of a goldfish. Did you know that they only grow to the limitations of their environment? Now salt water fish are a different story but fresh water fish actually grow based on their living conditions. How many times have you heard a person, usually a Christian, say "I feel like I live in a fish bowl?" What is interesting to me is that these people sometimes (not always) never out grow their bowl. They get so wrapped up in maintaining their "(Christlike) image," that they forget to grow. They/We end up limiting ourselves to our circumstances aka our "environment!"

How do I know? Because I've been "that fish," the one too afraid to outgrow my surroundings. I have at times limited myself to the expectations of others rather than breaking free with the calling that is on my life. Sure it is easy to sit on a pretty table in a quaint bowl with guaranteed meals, but why not JUMP OUT! Like the part in "Finding Nemo," those fish were crazy. But they knew that there was more to life. I don't mean live like no one is watching, unaware of your witness, but stop restricting yourself from prosperity. Don't get stuck in who you think you should be. Be who you are called to be. Outgrow your bowl! JUMP OUT!

Change, are you ready?

I do not know too many people that embrace change, that embrace new ideas, different lifestyles other than their own-and so on. But there is a certain beauty that comes with change-it’s called growth. How can anyone grow without change? A seed cannot grow if it stays within the comforts of its bag that it was purchased in… Then, think about what that seed has to go through to become anything. It must break from within, and penetrate its walls of safety. Then it must endure its lonely journey to the surface. You would think that the worst of it would be over, but its not. After it reaches you and I, it must survive rain, sun, snow heavy feet and careless animals-the list goes on. But think about the tree that survives. Think about the mighty oak tree in your minds eye-It is strong, sturdy, and able to withstand almost anything. But why? Because of constant change and growth, that tree is now a source of shade, food, oxygen and a beautiful image on God’s canvas.

I would love to stay within my “little bag” and not be forced to penetrate the walls of which I refer to as “safety.” I would sometimes rather watch nature happen, instead of be a part of it. But today is a new day, A day meant to be different than yesterday and thankfully God does not expect me to do it my by myself. Today is meant for me to dig deep within my inner being and allow God to nurture my own growth. To rid myself of distractions and anything else that could interfere with that process. This is a time for me to renew who I am in Christ, a time for rediscovery, a time for pruning, a time for CHANGE….

……………..………………………Transformation is on the horizon!


Live out loud,

Christina