Are you a Rebel or Revolutionary?
It’s always interesting to see which information “sticks” with me after a conference. Just like anyone else, some nuggets of wisdom sink to the bottom of my brain, and others float to the top to guide my future thoughts.
As I continue reflecting on the amazing EveryWoman Conference at C3 Church in Sydney last weekend, the theme that continues to resonate with me most is something Pastor Chris Pringle shared in her message:
Revolutionaries are known by what they are for.”
(quoted from a Joyce Meyer book if my memory serves me correctly)
Mother Theresa was a great example of this. When she was invited to participate in an anti-war demonstration, she declined saying, “I don’t care to be in an anti-war march. But if you do a peace march, let me know.” She didn’t want to be known as a rebel of war. She wanted to be known as a revolutionary of peace.
When I first started speaking in 1996, I was definitely a rebel with a cause. “Abstinence until marriage” was my #1 theme. I wanted to save young people from themselves and their run-away sex drives. I laugh hysterically at that now. It’s not that I don’t still hope that single people save sex until marriage, for that is truly God’s best plan for our lives. But I’ve come to understand that there’s a much bigger picture to the ministry God has called me to.
It’s not just about saying “no” to pre-marital sex, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, promiscuity, broken hearts, etc. etc. It’s really about saying “yes” to a lifestyle of sexual integrity, sexual intimacy in marriage, and intimacy with God. It’s about fully becoming the glorious women (and men) God designed us to be. It’s about embracing our sexuality as a blessing rather than a burden, and being a good steward of it rather than squandering it or being afraid of it.
I don’t want to go down in history as a rebel. I want to be known as a revolutionary – a revolutionary for healthy sexuality and spirituality!
What about you? What part of the world are you called to revolutionize? Your church? Your children’s school? Your office environment? Your home?
Is your approach a negative one that leaves others feeling attacked or judged? If so, you may be seen by others as a rebel, and that’s most likely not the most effective approach. Try looking through a positive lens at how you can improve the situation. Pray about how you can equip and empower others to change for the better, and be a revolutionary that truly impacts the world for good!
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Shannon, I would like to consider myself a revolutionary now. My approach to my children’s purity used to be one of a rebel; “you’re gonna do it this way. No deviation. That’s it”.
Now there has been a shift in my attitude toward that subject of sexual integrity. I want my children to embrace all of God’s goodness in their lifestyle of sexual integrity. That’s how they are going to learn to truly go forth without guilt or shame when they are married.
I’m called to revolutionize my home for the future. Our home is school and I realize that my window of educating my children is closing faster than I truly want it to. Thankfully, God’s school never closes!
AMEN, Shannon! This is soooooo good!
I have already shared this idea several times with friends. So powerful!! Keep challenging us!