The Color Purple

When we are feeling silly, my friends and I love to quote lines from The Color Purple – “it go rain on your head”, “Harpo! Who ‘dis woman”, “you just a big ole ____”, “You sho is ugly”, are just a few that we can quote from watching the movie over and over and over and over again.

The title line from The Color Purple came to mind when I was driving to work one day this week –“More than anything God love admiration…I think it [makes God angry] when you walk by the color purple in a field and don’t notice it”.

As I drive, I often marvel in God’s glory and how blessed I am to be able to enjoy it. The newness of the spring time -- everything fresh and green after a spring rain. The blooming flowers, birds chirping, clear blue skies, the light from a full moon at night AND in the early morning. And in the fall, all the beautiful colors in the landscape and trees – OMG!!! YOU ARE AWESOME.

Sometimes, when things are not going the way I want them to go, or as fast as I want them to go, I look out my office window to enjoy the scenery – bright green trees, the birds flying or dark clouds from an anticipated rain storm. All of these things remind me that there is so much more to life than what I’m fretting over.

My favorite hymn is “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. I used to just pay attention to the refrain – “I sing because I’m happy”; well, because I like to sing. But upon closer observation, I’ve come to enjoy the verse so much – “Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely, and long for Heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is He; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me…”.

When I hear this song, I am also reminded of the fact that God has enriched our lives so much with His creations. He takes care of all of His creations – from the birds in the air, the fish in the sea, to the plants in the meadow.

 “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all of your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you…" -- Matthew 6:26-29

Why should we worry about trivial things when there is so much more that’s enjoyable in this life. I must admit that it is hard to have and maintain that kind of faith. As we often try to “fix” things instead of giving it to God. As our Pastor alluded to this past Sunday, the battle is not ours to fight. But we always try to fix it instead of waiting on God. Give it to God, and meanwhile, enjoy this glory that he has so graciously provided us.

Our God has created a wonderful, glorious, HOME for us to enjoy. We just have to take the time to notice the “color purple” in order to appreciate it.

 “O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom has thou made them all: the earth is full of your riches.” – Psalm 104:24.

Church Marquees

I love to read church marquees. The messages are so inspiring and thought provoking. One of our local churches, St. Mark AME Church in Summerton (whose pastor is Rev. Aretha G. Johnson, a member of Liberty Hill), displays the following on their marquee – JOB FAIR—GOD NEEDS GOOD WORKERS. This message got me to thinking – what would a job fair or interview be like with God.

Who would one encounter for the initial interview – will it be Jesus Christ himself, since He is our advocate. “Well, my child, why are you qualified to be God’s Worker?” What will your response be?

When you pass the first interview, your 2nd interview may be with the Holy Spirit. “Show me, my child – how do you praise our God?” What will your demonstration be like? Will you break out into song and dance? Say a prayer? Preach a sermon? Maybe, cook a meal?

Then finally, you get to interview directly with God. Are you nervous? Do you keep all of the Ten Commandments? Do you “love” everybody? Do you tithe? How would you respond to these interview questions? What are the answers God is looking for? Why would he ask? He already knows…

Everyone is QUALIFIED to be one of God’s workers. You only need to have the desire to do God’s will. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” [1 Peter 4:10] Everyone has a gift that can be shared for the glory of God. Maybe you are a great singer; maybe you can organize things really well. Maybe you are a great debater. You might be saying to yourself, “I can’t do anything well.” Yes you can. EVERYONE can be a worker for God.

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” [James 2:14-17]

We all have talents and gifts to share that may be used for God’s glory. We can’t all preach, sing, cook, or even clean. But we can all love. “What if I could speak all languages of humans and even of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. What if I could prophesy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing unless I loved others. What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others. Love is patient and kind, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails…Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. For now there are faith, hope and love. But of these three, the greatest is LOVE.” [1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 12-13, CEV]

I hope that this message has blessed you and inspired you to become one of God’s workers, in any capacity! We all live a purpose driven life that we can use to glorify God.

Sincerely,

Liberty Hill PR

Rejection Can Prepare You For Perfection

I heard on the radio this week a statement made by Bishop T. D. Jakes – “Rejection can prepare you for perfection”. It got me to thinking about the times in my life when I felt rejected – turned down for jobs or other opportunities, clients rejecting my offer to do business with them, and, need I go there – BOYFRIENDS.

There are many examples in the Bible where individuals were rejected, cast out or taken for granted. We all know the greatest example is in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But two that I often think about is Leah (Genesis 29:31) and Joseph (Genesis 37:3-5).

Leah was Jacob’s FIRST wife – not the one he wanted to marry, but the one he got “stuck” with after being tricked. The scripture says that “Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance” (Genesis 29:17). Jacob didn’t love Leah as much as he loved Rachel. But the Lord blessed Leah – “When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren”. As a matter of fact, the Lord blessed Leah with the first four of the 12 sons of Isreal – Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah. Leah, later gave birth two more sons, Issachar and Zebulun. Therefore, from Leah's own womb, she birthed six of the 12 sons of Isreal [Rachel’s maid, Zilpah, bore Gad and Asher].

With all of the rejection Leah received from her husband – not wanting to marry her to begin with, treating Rachel better, not feeling loved – Leah was blessed. In fact, she has received one of the biggest blessings of all time – her lineage, through her son Judah, gave birth to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – Matthew 1:2.

Joseph, who was Rachel’s son, also experienced rejection. Because his father loved him more than all his other sons (Genesis 37:3), his brothers turned on him and sold him into slavery. Joseph was lied on (Genesis 39:19), and thrown into prison. But the Lord looked out for Joseph and he was a favorite among the prison guards (Genesis 37:21).

Joseph wound up saving his family from famine, and became a blessing to all of Egypt.

Through all of Leah’s and Joseph’s rejection and strife, they remained true and faithful to God. And the Lord blessed them. Their rejection prepared them to become a blessing to those who rejected them and a blessing to the entire human race.

I remember being turned down for several advancement opportunities in my career – advancements that I was not prepared for at the time. I also remember feeling rejected by a spiritual leader. But through this rejection, I’ve grown spiritually and have the opportunity through this medium and other teaching mediums to serve and be a blessing to others. More of a blessing had I remained in a former capacity.

You will be rejected or cast down. There will be struggles and disappointments and times when you will feel all alone and let down. Sometimes, you won’t understand. But we have to remain faithful and God will “turn it around for your good”. Rejection prepares us for a larger blessing in the future.

And as for those BOYFRIENDS, thank God for the rejection. As a result, I’m blessed with a wonderful husband and a beautiful family. Had I tried to hang on to what I know now as the Lord’s rejection for me, I would have missed out on my intended.

Love you all,

Liberty Hill’s PR