You Know Better Than That....

My mother always said, "When you know better, you do better."

The challenge, however, lies in the "knowing" part. Sometimes we behave as if we either don't know who we really are or have completely forgotten. The stresses and strains of life, compounded with other people's notions about who we are or should be, have a way of clouding our minds and our vision so that we lose sight of God's thoughts and provisions for us.

God says, "I know the plans I have for you....Plans for a future and a hope." Even with that profound promise, we sometimes allow ourselves to be intimidated by expectations--from ourselves as well as from others--and we shy away from the future and give up hope. We do nothing because we know nothing. We don't know if we're smart enough, fast enough, tough enough, prepared enough, articulate enough, or just plain good enough.

Enough, already! We don't have to worry about being or doing anything well enough when we realize that we are simply vessels of the Master. That doesn't mean we don't give our best, but one of the things that God is helping me to understand is that if I want to be a good speaker, I prepare by being a good listener. It's less about my "doing" and more about my "being"--being available and open to hear from God and allowing God to do the speaking.

Whenever I feel inadequate for a task, listening to God and being in his presence helps me to stay anchored in what I know--that I am created in His image, that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, that I can do all things through Christ, that the joy of the Lord is my strength, and that God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.

When thoughts of doubt and discouragement start creeping into your mind about what you can't do, just remind yourself of who and whose you are and tell yourself, "You know better than that!" When you know better, you'll do better because you'll be better.

Rev. Karen