What does it mean when you get the same message three times in a day?
It was last Saturday, February 22nd to be exact. I had just finished 4 days of Prayer and Fasting on Friday, Feb. 21st. So, when I heard the same (type of) message three times in one day, I knew it was not just a coincidence. God wanted me to hear something, receive a message. And I’d better stop, take notice, and listen.
Message One
I was driving, heading home (from a loooong overdue pedicure. I know, TMI, but just sharing). I was tuned into the Joel Osteen channel. He was speaking about when you have gone through something difficult. He was expressing that once you have gotten through an experience, you choose what to do with it/how to use it. You could have the attitude of ‘wow, I’m a survivor;’ I survived that experience; and you could just keep it to yourself. On the other hand, you could use the experience to Bless others along your path. Joel went on to share how his mother had been diagnosed with cancer and was given a certain amount of time to live. But, God! He intervened and she is still alive today. HALLELUJAH! She could have been thankful and remained ‘quiet’ about her healing and deliverance. Instead, she began going out, sharing that experience with others, and encouraging others. Often there may be someone else going through the same thing that you have gone through. It’s your opportunity to help. He went on to describe how his mom went to the hospital facility every day, encouraging others, talking to other people who were there, and telling them about what she had gone through. She was planting words of healing and encouraging their heart. She was reminding others that they too could get through such a difficult time on their walk. This was my takeaway. It was simply about sharing your life. When God has been gracious enough to bring you through a difficult season, do not just keep it to yourself. Give Him ALL the glory and share it with others. Your life is not your own.
Message Two
The second time that I got this message on that day was while my husband and I were in the car together. We were heading to an event that evening. My Husband’s brother (my brother-in-law) was being recognized by the city. So, as we were on our way there, we were listening to one of The Salesgirls-Kat. At the end of the video, she discussed the Parable of The Talents found in Matthew 25. This parable tells of a master that was getting ready to go away, and he gave three of his servants a share of talents. To one he gave five; to another he gave two; and to the other he gave one. He went away for a while. When he returned to settle accounts the one that had the five had gained five more; the one that had the two had gained two more; but the one with the one gained nothing-since he had buried the one. Of course, this is me paraphrasing the scriptures. (take some time to read Matthew 25: 14-30) The Master responded by calling this servant “wicked and lazy!”. This servant said he was afraid, so he hid the talent and did NOTHING with it. The master gave him something and he did not produce anything with it. I do not know about you, but I do not want this to be my story! God has given each one of us ‘something.’ 2 Peter 1:3 says, “his divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life….” I know for a very long time I was having this conversation, this dialogue with God. I was asking God ‘what am I good at?’ What do I have? What can I do? Certain people are just naturally gifted. For example, some people are artists, some people are good at acting, some people are good at drawing, some people are good at building, some people are good at singing. Those are natural God-given gifts and abilities. I do not feel as if I possess any of those things. So, it has been a bit difficult for me to figure out. In all transparency, I am still in the process of figuring out what that thing is. I know I have a thing with numbers. I can do numbers in my head. I can recall certain numbers/dates. My husband tells me I am good at organizing. But I do not think it is physical organizing because I do not think I’m great at physically organizing things. I’m good with tasks like keeping the calendar updated, remembering birthdays, event dates, due dates, etc. But I digress. Now, back to the story. That parable (of the Talents) that Kat was sharing was about sharing your life. It is about multiplying, increasing, using what God has given you to produce more. Reach out to, help, pour into, encourage, build-up others. The real question is what do you have? What are you going to leave for those behind you? What are you going to pour into those that are present right now in your life? What are you going to share with them? What are you going to give to them?
Message Three
Now we are actually at the event that I mentioned (we were heading to) earlier. During that event, a Pastor went up to give a short word. He spoke on Legacy. It was also about what you are going to leave behind. Another gentleman also went up to briefly speak about how he had grown up playing Little League football in the city of Deerfield Beach, how he had gone on to play during college, and how his coaches impacted him. Now he, in turn, wants to come back and give of his time. He’ll be volunteering as a part of the coaching staff for the city. One of the gentlemen gave a ‘challenge’ that evening. It was a challenge to: at some point during your week, find a child that needs some encouragement. Choose a child that you know things are not going well for. This may not be the most well-behaved student; they may not come from the best of circumstances or may not have the best background. But find a way to reach them this week. Find some way to encourage and inspire that child this week. We never know the impact that our words can have on a child. Encouragement or just believing in them can go a long way. Once again, for the third time this day, I received a message about pouring into others, sharing my life to benefit others.
Ok God! I hear you loud and clear. Now, the question is: what does this look like in my everyday world?
Conclusion
On that day, I felt like all three of those messages were about sharing your life. It was about Joel Osteen’s mom sharing her life experiences. The second one was about the talents. It is like God has given us all something. He has given us all some ability. Maybe we have experienced something. He has given us something that can help someone else along the way because no one is an island. We have all gone through things. But once you have gone through it, you master it, you conquer it, and you have overcome it. Now it is time for this experience to benefit somebody else. The third, and final, message was the one about legacy. Once again, it was about sharing your life. It was about what you have that you are going to give. What do you want to leave for the next generation? What are you going to leave for your children, for your grandchildren? How about those in your community?
Asking these questions is causing me to think about Miss Emilia. I had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of years ago. Her two daughters attend church with us. We attended her funeral service during Valentine’s Day weekend. One of her daughters, Peggy, spoke about how her mom was so loving, caring, so full of life, and giving. She shared how their house was open to other children in the community and how many children were there spending time with them. Her mom was just so open, so loving, and she loved-on the neighborhood children. She talked to them and encouraged them. She had five children of her own, but she had such a big heart that she was finding ways to love-on other children- that were not even hers. They were not her ‘birth children,’ but this was another example of how she was sharing her life with others. The life that she lived left a lasting impact on so many.
So, my challenge for you is look at yourself. What do you have? What do you do well? What have you been through and overcome? How can you utilize that gift, talent, or experience to benefit those around you? Who needs you, needs to hear your voice, can benefit from your experience(s)? Don’t keep it to yourself! Go out and share your life with others!
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