Tuesday, December 22, 2009

That Kinda Woman

Have you ever said something and wished within seconds you could snag the very words out of the air and box them right back up and go bury them out back?

Have you ever reacted impulsively and later wished you would have waited?

Have you ever spread the news of a story that wasn’t yours to share?

Have you ever pouted?

Have you ever competed with the girl next to you when she wasn’t competing with you?

Have you ever been so caught up in your own life that the world around you was falling apart and you didn’t even notice?



Oh friends I wish I could come here today and say that those questions above are just that ‘questions’ I created with some creative thinking on my part. But rather they are all things I have lived out in my life.


There is a place He wants to take us. It’s somewhere we only get to, because He takes us there.

He comes and meets us right where we are at. The common ordinary everyday moment and ushers us into an extraordinary living life on purpose moment.

What Happens When Women Say No

To being common?

Girls we can’t there on our own. But the first step to getting there is saying no to being the common woman. And saying yes to God. Saying yes to Him creating us to be the uncommon woman, the extraordinary woman He has created us to be.

How would this change the world?

Oh girls just imagine with me.

What if our words were all ran through the filter He has given us?

Is it true? Necessary? Kind?

Just what if we truly trusted in Him to provide everything we need. And not trying to accomplish, accumulate and acquire everything our way and in our timeline.

What if we refrained from conversations that involved someone else’s story to share? Refrained from listening and taking part.

What if we refused to waste His kingdom building time pouting, sulking and complaining, and got to work for Him!

And what if we truly started living for Him and only being concerned about what He had for us, and not her.

Just what if we got so enthralled in what He was doing that we had the time of our lives?

You see I wanna be that kinda of woman.

Uncommon.

Extraordinary.

Not because of who I am. Not because of what I am doing. But because of who He is.

Mary, a young Jewish virgin girl, most likely poor, all characteristics that would make her seem completely unusable by God, especially in her day, but God chose Mary for the most important acts of obedience. Everything about God choosing Mary was purposeful. Mary was not qualified. It was God who saw her heart and knew Mary was willing to be used in His story.

Until Gabriel visited Mary her everyday life was pretty ordinary, comfortable, and safe.

Because of Mary’s obedience and submission, God was able to restore a relationship with His people.


He is.

He is able to take a young Jewish virgin girl and change the world in an instant with a baby being born on a dark night in a smelly dirty stable.

You see it’s not about the who, or the where or the what, it’s all about who He is.

He is able to take this 5’4” blonde, left-handed, girl who is ordinary and make her the extraordinary He needs her to be.

He is.

I have been blessed by the book, the Uncommon Woman by Susie Larson. I highly recommend this most amazing book. Susie helps usher you into our most amazing Creators presence for a very personal and intimate look at the extraordinary place He has for you.

He is not able to do this just with Mary, or me, He is able, more than able to make it happen in your life too.

What do you have to do?

Say no to the common, grab hold of His hand and allow Him to lead you to the uncommon and extraordinary place!

Thank you friends for joining me on this series. I am more than blessed by your presence. A presence that assures me, we journey together on purpose, He meets us each where we are not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy your time this week knowing He is with you, on purpose!

16 comments:

achildoftheking said...

I'm stunned sitting here. I long to be an "uncommon woman". I need to look into getting that book.

Thank YOU Lord for using Nichole to teach Your lessons. In Jesus' name amen.

Merry Christmas to you and your family Nichole.

Unknown said...

Oh how convicting. Sometimes I feel I am doomed to be common at best, inferior at worst. But you have reminded us that the potential for the extraordinary lies not with us but with our God. And so that will be my prayer as we approach a new year...to be the uncommon who serves an extraordinary God.
Thanks for the blessing!
Kay

Sande said...

You said ... "He is able to take this 5’4” blonde, left-handed, girl who is ordinary and make her the extraordinary He needs her to be."

He HAS made you extraordinary ALREADY when He created you. You ARE made in His image. Imagine that. In the image of the One who breaths stars. Now all He needs to do is renew your mind so you believe it.

Fliterary said...

Oh that I would be uncommon for God. I'm thankful that he continues to work with me until one day I will kneel in His presence. Until then, He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Eph 3:20

Merry Christmas, sweet Nichole!

Joyful said...

There is nothing "common" about you my friend. You are an extraordinary young woman.

Praying the Lord will help me say 'no' to the common and trust Him to walk the uncommon road.

Love ya Nichole!
Hugs,
Joy

TAMI said...

I've been asking the Lord to provide a book for our Women's Online Summer Study. This my just be it. I'm eager to follow this study with you!

Lori said...

My dear, extraordinary friend...I just love how the Spirit speaks right out of you and into my heart!
I'm right with you, grabbing His hand and letting Him lead! It's enthralling to think what He could do with us, if we'd give 100%, and not hold anything back. To totally trust in Him for everything. To wake up anticipating furthering His Kingdom and working for Him. Just Him. Aahhh! Merry, Merry Christmas my dear friend! Blessings, Lori - AZ

From the Heart said...

I think I have read all your posts but I haven't always commented. They have been great and yes, I agree you are an "uncommon woman" who is being used by God to help us realize that we can do the same.
God bless you and have a very Merry Christmas.

Amy said...

I pray in the new year that I can be that "uncommon" woman, not because of any resolution I make but because I stop trying on my own and allow Him to form me. Thanks so much for all the wisdom you have shared. I have enjoyed reading each of your post over the last few months (since I discovered this whole blogville). I appreciate all the comments and encouragement you have given me over on my site.

Sue J. said...

"Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who You are.
...I am Yours...."

The lyrics of the Casting Crowns' song "Who am I?" came right to mind as I was reading your words.

God never says that He created us all the same--common and ordinary. He said that He created us all IN THEIR (Trinity) IMAGE.

When we embrace the amazing qualities of our God and see that He wants to live and rule in OUR hearts, then, we can embrace that there is something most amazing working in us, and working through us. "Be not afraid," Gabriel told Mary. And that's probably where we fall down....lack of faith in what comes next!

But, He understands that, too, and He will continue to take us to those places, those moments, and to work in our hearts, that we might see our God!

Thank you, Nichole, for your clarity and refreshingly honest perspective, always! Enjoy, experience peace and comfort with your family this Christmas!!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I'm not sure what "uncommon" would look like for me, but I'm pretty sure it would be someone different from who I currently am.

I want to further extend myself into God's kingdom--to actively invest my time and energy in others; problem is, I don't feel as if I have a lot of time or energy for much more than I'm currently doing. Sometimes I feel so selfish, so unconcerned, so out of touch with the world outside of my four walls, and I wonder, "is it enough God? Should I be doing more."

I'm exhausted tonight, but am so glad God led me here to pause and reflect. I pray that all of us will have the wisdom and strength to "lean into" our uncommon Jesus so as to infuse ourselves with the same.

Merry Christmas, friend. May the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

~elaine

Edie said...

Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and Rich Blessings for 2010!

Anonymous said...

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing.

My ADHD Me said...

You have an uncanny way of speaking to me just about every time I visit your blog.
Today was definitely no exception.

I'm so glad that you take the time to let the Lord speak to me through you. I can be so hardheaded at times and it really helps to have it written out.

It is kind of like God says, "Psst, hey MyADHDMe. Go on over to On Purpose. I have a message for you that you seem to be ignoring!"

I feel without a doubt that you speak to many more than you realize.

Thank you.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!

Jennifer said...

Being an uncommon woman is exactly my heart's desire...what a great post! I'm ordering that book now -

How inspiring! Hope your holiday was a wonderful one! Looking forward to an uncommon 2010!!

Merry Christmas

RosyRose said...

Hi Nichole...I stumbled on your blog tonight and was so blessed!!
I need to hear what God laid on your heart!
Thank you!
Rose