Motivation Monday - Why You Need To Keep Your Flame Lit
“Keep your flame lit. While you are standing, you can still declare your allegiance to a King that is and will always be sovereign over the universe He Himself created. ”
Last month the Gather Board of Directors met for its annual strategic retreat to set a direction for the year ahead. One year ago, as we met, we felt the leading of God to continue offering opportunities to connect the one, the few and the many through our DevelopHer Internship, Gather Voices, and the Gather Influence Podcast. These were online connecting, equipping and mobilizing opportunities. And we had the energy for it. At first. By end of 2022, we witnessed unprecedented change in many of our lives, family circumstances, new ministry calls and the challenge of leading an organization through pandemic disruption.
We had no idea that we would be leaving what we knew behind and entering a new normal!
Forward to one year later, to our new, new normal. We are discerning a different obedience. We are discerning, as a movement, a call to hold our position and light a steady, unwavering candle flame, as the wind of a world full of storm warnings and uncertain forecasts blows all around.
After a stunning Gather Rise GENESIS conference, there seemed to be little doubt that the Gather movement is a flame that we are to keep lit, a kindled and tended fire that needs to keep burning, so others across the nation can see it and be encouraged to stay the course. The Gather movement was launched seven years ago with a similar image of kindled lights burning across the nation so we could see a nation of candles burning bright and be encouraged to not hide our own light.
While the new normal of last year brought with it a sense of initial optimism and adventure for what seemed like a short walk, the new, new normal of now, brings the question, ‘how do we then live?’ How do we continue to walk in confidence as women, with the image of God stamped in our hearts, and carrying His purposes on our shoulders?
Are you wondering how you should live? Are you fully committed to following the path of Christ as a disciple? Are you half in, half out? Are you distracted by technology, social media, your phone and all it requires of you? The struggle is real! Are you wondering when you will experience abundance again – rich in community, rich in relational health, rich in clear purpose?
It is in these moments of wonder that God does His best work.
Limited resources do not limit God, they reveal God.
Uncertain circumstances are an opportunity for God to clarify your identity as His child.
Maybe what God is asking of you is not more of anything.
Maybe He’s asking you to simply hold your position.
Keep your flame lit. While you are standing, you can still declare your allegiance to a King that is and will always be sovereign over the universe He Himself created.
Daughters of this nation, we are with you. As we boldly hold our position this year, we encourage you to hold yours. As we raise our hands for the value of the female voice in kingdom conversations and in equal strength in every sphere of influence including the church, we encourage you to raise yours. And when you don’t have the strength to raise your hand, let us carry you. We continue to commit to creating safe spaces to gather, the one, the few, the many.
None of asked for this normal, but here it is here and so is God. Now is when we have an opportunity to witness His revelation to us that He is not only the warrior that fights for us, He is also the Good Shepherd that carries us when we are too weary to move forward in our own strength.
You cannot be weak when you rely on a God who makes you strong.
But you can be weary.
At Gather, we are holding our position, we are staying firmly planted. We are entering a new season of following God in our mission and asking Him to show us new ways, to connect, equip and mobilize you. We are keeping our light burning – for you.
Here is our prayer for you from Colossians 1:11-12
“We pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.”
This is a year to hold your position. And for those who are around you that may be falling, or in danger of burning out, you can be a crucible that holds the space for them, and a light that keeps their flickering flames aglow.
Let the light of God shine in the darkness, through your flame. Let it be a beacon of hope for those in the nation who need to see that God is not only around, but in you. Not only in this new, new normal, but for all that will come next.
I believe in you.
Cathie