Five Minute Friday – Bare
Linking in with Lisa Jo to write for 5 minutes only. See the bottom of the post if you want to join.
I am a very private person – an introvert. I have done the Myers Briggs personality profile a few times over the years and always an introvert. I get my energy from being alone not from being with people. That doesn’t mean I don’t like being with people but it means that exhausts me and I need to recoup with quietness.
I can’t seem to stop myself talking about God though. He is pushing me beyond my comfort zone. I would rather sit, type, paint, go for walks, talk with my hubby or a girl friend. God gives me strength to talk in front of people about Him.
That is when I need to become bare and He fills me.
If I try to do something that is not part of my regular nature I mess up unless God fills me first.
Emptying myself must come before I let God fill me up with the His Word. I trust and believe in Him to do this. I guess that is “baring my soul before the Lord”. I know I can’t do it alone.
The first time I talked in front of a group I asked for prayer. Amazing is the only word I can say. His power flowed through me. I did not feel nervous; my voice held strong; I could look in the eyes of my audience. All because I knew Jesus stood beside me and the Holy Spirit flowed in me.
How bare are you? Enough to be filled with Christ?
From the dictionary I found a meaning of bare.
Bare : open to view; unconcealed; undisguised
That is how I want to be before God – emptied then filled.
Here is my cry:
“I poured out my heart, baring my soul to God, my God” (Daniel 9:4 The Message):
And then I need filling up:
“You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything. (Colossians 2:10, The Message)
Would love to hear your comments.
Blessings,
Janis
1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}
3. Go leave some comment props for the five minute artist who linked up before you {and if you love us, consider turning off word verification for the day to make it easier for folks to say howdy}
It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week.
This rang true for me, too, Janis. I am an extrovert, but emptying myself must still come before I can be filled up with God and made a meaningful offering unto others. I have also experienced that infilling when sharing with a group, and it is nearly breathtaking. So clearly him as it is, and not me.
Also, I love this definition of bare. Yes, let this be our state before our Maker.
Ashley,
Yes I guess both extroverts and introverts need to bare themselves before God and be filled. I only understood it from my introverted – quiet nature – that in order to be “out there” I need lots of help from the Lord.
Thanks for dropping by,
Janis
I wonder how many bloggers are people who stay to themselves and focus more quietly and inwardly? I am that type of person to. Too much crowd drives me to seek a place of quiet.
It would be very interesting to hear about how many bloggers are ‘alone type people’.
I do like being with others but I truly restore and repair my spirit alone.
Sharon,
I have wondered that too. This is a wonderful way to connect – to learn but not have to have so much conversation going on at the same time. I am not one to gossip or chit chat. I love reading the Bible, learning what God is telling me.
I know He plans to get me into situations where I totally rely on Him – and that will be something that will be exhilarating but I will need my quiet time to recoup.
Blessings and thanks for commenting,