Live.Awake

Beth Moore Conference (1 of 2)

// May 30th, 2007 // Christian Living

Beth Moore is a woman with a ministry to women. She has a wonderful teaching ability and a way of connecting the dots with things that really matter to a lot of women. Her studies are done in many churches world wide and God has used these teachings to set women free and grow them into a deeper knowledge of God. I have actually only done one of these studies, but jumped at the chance when my friend (Sarah Pinnix) offered me a ticket.

I struggled in getting ready for this and almost backed out several times. We are in a crazy time in our lives right now and it seemed almost silly for me to take time away from the kids, house and stuff to do here, but I really felt that my soul needed this weekend! God knew what he was doing in getting me there, because what I learned changed me. To be honest, I am not really finished digesting everything and I feel that I may come out of this teaching with a lot more then I even realize.

When I got there and settled in, Travis Cottrell and his band began worship. I have not been able to really worship without children hanging onto each side of me for some time, so it was wonderful to be able to enter into the presence of God unencumbered. Beth got up and explained that she had gotten a specific word that she had not taught before for us. I was excited at the prospect of a fresh word.

Beth began by introducing the blessing that Moses spoke over Asher (Deut. 33:1-29). Asher means “happy or happy one”. She said that we as Christians give ourselves room to have joy but not to be happy. We shy away from this because the world puts such emphasis on the pursuit of happiness. She was very clear that the pursuit happiness will not bring you happiness, but will bring you to the point of making happiness and your feelings an idol!

She summarized the definition of Biblical (true) happiness as

“The psychological awakening to the work of God”.

What freedom this brings! This means that it is a specific work of God that your soul realizes, and emotionally reacts to. Her point was that in spite of our circumstances, God can bring us true happiness in our souls, that we feel and experience. We won’t always be happy, but if we look for it, we will find that God will give us happiness even in the hardest and driest times. The goal is to be aware and alive enough to notice those moments and to take them even if you feel some sense of loyalty to the pain you are in or the situation you are encountering. It is ok to be happy!

This was an encouragement to me, because in spite of everything going on around me and the places where it seems too busy or too hard, when I am getting ready to leave a place I have known for 8 years, a place where I have really grown up, a place where I have relationships that matter and people I love, I can still find happiness…not just joy but true happiness. It doesn’t mean that I am not going to be sad, but if I am following God, He will provide those moments that bring me happiness.

Technorati Tags: Beth Moore, Conference, Boone, NC, North Carolina, teaching, joy, happiness, freedom, God, family, christian living, children