Lessons from Casting Crowns

My husband and I were fortunate enough to get to attend a Casting Crowns concert last Thursday night in Springfield, MO.  I don't know which I enjoy more – when Mark Hall sings or when he talks.  He has been blessed with the gift of words.  It doesn't matter if he is singing them or speaking them, or praying them - he always delivers a great message.

I really relate to Mark's thoughts on our gifts and talents.  As Christians, the Holy Spirit has given us a gift… and sometimes even more than one!  We need to use those gifts to benefit the Body.  Mark said, "We are the BODY of Christ… not the hat… not the shoe…. because it is not something that we take on and off."  Why aren't we all using our talents and gifts and doing our part for the Body? 

Satan knows the power that is possible if the Body of Christ is working and he is going to do all he can to keep us from using our gifts.  Sometimes we recognize our gift, but we don't use it because we are scared.  The seeds of doubt are planted that make us think "what if we aren't good enough"…. "what if we fail"….. "what if we look stupid"…. and it goes on and on.  Our weaknesses have a way of inflating in our mind to the point that they are all we can see.  Mark talked about his weaknesses of ADD and Dyslexia.  Satan used those weaknesses to try to convince Mark that he was not able or capable of serving God with his talents.  Mark points out that we all have "buttons on the back of our head" and Satan knows what buttons to push to discourage us.

I feel like the most effective button Satan pushes in my life is the "it's only you" button.  Satan magnifies my weakness, then he makes me believe that I am the only one who feels that way, or has that weakness.  I become embarrassed or so discouraged that I feel I have to hide that weakness in the dark.  I can't let anyone know about it, because that would disappoint them, or make them think less of me.  This is such a powerful weapon for Satan and such a hinderance to God's work. 

Paul even had a weakness… a 'thorn in the flesh' that he begged for God to take from him.  But, God said that it is in our weakness that He is strong.  It's okay to have areas of weakness.  Not one of us is perfect… not yet.  While we are on this earth, we will have times and places that we struggle – But, God is good.  With His strength and His power and His perfection, we will succeed in spite of our weaknesses.  We need to encourage each other and not hide our weaknesses and love each other so that God will be glorified.  When people know our weaknesses, but still see the fruit we produce – then they will know that it is God at work, not us.

Our churches need to be places that we can come WITH our weaknesses and receive support and encouragement.  So many times our churches are places that we come and hide our problems.  We show up at the door and put on our fake "smiles" and answer "fine" everytime if someone should ask how we are doing.  We become fake "happy plastic people" just putting on a show… a "stained glass masquerade", as Mark calls it…. 

 Stained Glass Masquerade
Casting Crowns

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

CHORUS
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

CHORUS 2x

But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain on our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone that fails

Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

I have to wonder what kind of power drains out of the Body of Christ because of our inability to be "real" with each other.       

Psalm 16:8 – Stirred But Not Shaken

"[Putting the glory of God before our well-being] means that we have to break away from the idea that life revolves around our desires, our ambitions, our self-image, our personal comfort, our hurts, and our problems, and embrace the fact that it revolves instead around the glory and the will of God. When we learn to apply the great text before us today [Psalm 16:8] to our lives, we will find, as did the psalmist, that when we set the Lord always before us, then no matter what happens, we will be stirred but not shaken."

I do not know who wrote this, but I read it in a devo that I received through email.  It really speaks to me both as a struggle and goal.  I am easily stirred.  When things in life do not go like I want them to go, when life's problems occur, or when my own selfish desires over take me – I am stirred.  I am thankful for verses like Psalm 16:8, so that I can remember who is right beside me – who my true security comes from.  With Christ as my foundation I might be stirred, but I will not be shaken. 

Is it a bad thing to be stirred?  Some might think it is a sign of weakness or selfishness, or a sign of someone that can't control their own emotions.  I see it as something that can produce growth, cause action, and prevent stagnation.  Sometimes it is when things go right, when life's rewards come, or when I am serving others that I am also stirred.  I want to remember to give God the glory in all situations.  Whatever the reason that I am stirred – He is always the reason I am not shaken.

First Post

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