Pro-Now

I like to be in control. Why? Well, I don’t know about you but, I hate waiting. I’m quite fond of now. I want my dream job now (or at least to be well on my way to it), maturity now, wisdom now, Christ like character now, and the eye glasses I ordered last week, I want them yesterday. My birthday is coming up and because I’m pro-now it’s just a little dreadful. I don’t know exactly what I was supposed to do before I turned 24 but, I know it included conquering the world. However, unfortunately or rather fortunately for me, God doesn’t work that way. God is pro-eternity. He is not only concerned with now but, with later.

God is in control and he truly is our only viable option. Even knowing that, it’s often hard to wait on God, to allow him to solve our problems, or to give us direction, answers or clarity and especially when there are consequences to endure when things don’t fall quickly into place. In these moments its easy for us to attempt to solve the problem ourselves or to move when we should be still. Maybe we even feel it’s our duty to but, our attempts to handle it on our own only prove to be busy work. They make us feel like we are doing something or getting somewhere but, they only take up time and energy.

We often get so consumed with now that we forget that our time here on earth is only the womb. It’s our time to grow and mature. Heaven is no retirement plan. It’s when we begin life. Remember God’s first priority is to get you home with Him and to restore communion. He wants you to experience Him.

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."

-Romans 8:18-25

Maybe like me, God has you in a spiritual time-out. A time out and away from distraction. Let’s wait, silent and still until God says move.

Sydney is an independent artist and the Executive Director of Uprise. She is passionate about music and young adult ministry. Find her music at sydneyandpaige.com or www.facebook.com/sydneyandpaige

Don’t Take It Personal: Ask Before You Judge – Part I

Ask questions and investigate before you judge and draw conclusions. I learned this in classic almost laughable fashion this past Sunday. The pastoral team at my church went on a field trip. We went and visited a church in an effort to dispel some myths that we are a reclusive people and also to understand some things as far as liturgy [not doctrine] goes. The people at this church were extremely warm. We were greeted at least twice before we reached the door. By the time we were ushered to our 3^rd row seats, my cheeks were actually somewhat tight from all the smiling in response to all the bright and beaming smiles thrown my way. I must say that in 30 years of church attendance in my own denomination, I had NEVER experienced such warmth. Let that be an indictment to the people of God.

Anyway, upon taking my seat, I noticed that there were only 7 people in the entire audience that looked like me including the 3 that were with me. Well the praise and worship team got up – on time – I might add, and they struck a note of praise to God. As their praises went up and out, so did my spirit as I am one who believes music in the worship setting should be exceptional. Everything was lovely. That day the church was commemorating the 10^th anniversary of the events of 9/11. They honored local first responders at some point in the service and all was lovely. When the pastor came up and did his welcome, he called for everyone to find someone to hug, greet, and shake hands with. I shook several hands and greeted several more. And then something happened. I turned around and extended my hand to the woman seated directly in back of me. She had on shades for some reason. She looked at my hand, then back up at me. I extended my hand a little closer and she turned her head as if to look away. “Wow!” I thought, “ Really??? You really ain’t gonna shake my hand??? This can’t really be happening… In a church though?!? Is this 2011, or is it just me?” You have to keep in mind that this is the South and so that’s where my mind was going. For the rest of the service, that slight burned me up. I dusted it off, but it still rested in the back of my mind.

I mentioned it to no one in my group. After the service, two of us went to another church member’s house to watch what was supposed to be a competitive football game on opening day but the Steelers didn’t hold to their part of the deal. I did text a friend about my incident at the church and we joked and made light of it as she offered some comic relief with her hilarious and outrageous solutions of payback. Finally I mentioned it to the elder I was riding with. He laughed and said, “Oh, she was blind! You didn’t see her walking stick?” I couldn’t help but hang my head and laugh – laugh at myself for where my mind went. I had assumed that this was a woman who didn’t want to associate with me and still had that old-school southern mindset of superiority due alone to color of the skin. I had condemned her and all it appeared she stood for in my mind.

We draw conclusions and make judgments based on appearances. And we do it in many different areas. We draw conclusions about people and about situations. We draw conclusions about the actions (or lack thereof) of girlfriends and boyfriends or potential girlfriends and boyfriends. We draw conclusions and make judgments about athletes and politicians, about whole ethnic groups, or religions without ever asking questions and turning aside and investigating for ourselves. Usually, this leads to distrust and mistrust and uneasiness about everything other parties do or say. But the word tells us,

“Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5a).

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Sam pastors the Soso and Macedonia SDA Churches in Soso and Laurel, Mississippi.
Hobbies: Reading (especially Black History), Barbering, Bass, Baking, Collecting Bow ties...Soon Photography
He is passionate about music, worship and people.

Approved

There comes a point in every Christian’s walk where your convictions will clash with what’s popular. In a worldly sense that’s to be expected, after all we are called to be peculiar right? But it is particularly difficult when that peculiarity becomes a theme even within your own support systems. When your convictions don’t win you favor with family, friends, and associates it requires a greater level of boldness and faith to stand firm. I find myself fighting the desire to explain myself to others, trying to ensure that their perception of me and my intentions are accurate. Fortunately, I have come to realize that how my actions are perceived really doesn’t matter. I find that that even after detailed explanation most still haven’t understood or agreed with my actions. But why should they? When God convicted me He was speaking to me, not them!

It is unfair for us to expect everybody, or even anyone, to hear the words God has spoken to us or to see the vision God has given to us. It was my own lack of faith that motivated my quest to be understood. When God instructed Abraham to kill his own son Isaac I can’t help but wonder how crazy he may have seemed to others. Who really knows what criticism Abraham may have received, but what is unquestionable was his faith. With that same boldness follow your convictions, God never needed anyone else’s approval to carry out His will. He will approve the “unapproved”.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he re wards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts 1 Thessalonians 2:4

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:29

Paige Henry is a school social worker and independent artist in Detroit, MI. Check out her music at www.sydneyandpaige.com or www.facebook.com/sydneyandpaige.
Twitter: @PaigeAHenry

Our Movement

Who is Uprise?

Uprise seeks to increase young adult involvement and membership in local churches, provide current and practical spiritual solutions to the needs of young adults, serve and uplift others, provide Christian cafes and other like events, and support the creation and enhancement of young adult ministries. Find us at facebook.com/experienceuprise or email us at uprisemovement@gmail.com

Pro-Now

Don’t Take It Personal: Ask Before You Judge – Part I

Approved

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:29

Our Movement

Who is Uprise?

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