Oh I’m so excited to write this today.
God has been setting this message on FIRE in my heart…and with the permission and confirmation and celebration of some very anointed and wise voices in my life.
This is a message and an idea whose time has come.
You are a message and an idea whose time has come.
There is nothing you could tell me, show me or whisper to me that would make me think any differently.
But as we leap into this brave, new world of freedom and discovery, I want to bring clarity to places that may seem nebulous or a little too “free-style” for some of us. I mean, we don’t all process exactly the same, even as wild & unruly unicorns of purpose.
I write about this in my upcoming book on BLISS, but I feel it’s important for us to have now in our minds and imaginations. It’s part of defining who we are and what we are tapped to create and bring into this world by the design of our Master Creator (who NEVER makes mistakes. hint.)
There are 5 characteristics of a wild & unruly life; resources, if you will, that empower and free us to live at the level of influence and significance intended for our lives.
These address and replace mindsets and even word curses that have been spoken over us in years past, by ignorant do-gooders who didn’t mind their business. Mothers, fathers, teachers, pastors, and that one woman at church who thought it was her job to make sure you didn’t get to uppity about your gifts, your place or your power. (We all know her, don’t we? Mine was named Sharon.)
These are things you are entitled to as part of your birthright, through the agreement Jesus created through his death and Resurrection. These are New Covenant, new creation realities available to the entire body of Christ…and especially important for those called to lead teams, tribes and movements in the body of Christ.
Number 1: An all-access pass to the heart of the Father. There is a place above circumstances, religion and even tradition that surpasses the “normal” spiritual experience.
What do I mean by that?
Well, you know how some people just seem to hear God all the time?
Or always have a word to share that you know did not originate in the natural?
Those whose prayers seem to be answered effortlessly, as if they simply speak it out and it happens?
I’m sure we all do! Thankfully, I have learned that this sort of supernatural connection isn’t some special gift! It is a reality that Jesus invites every believer into.
Many of us unicorns have already experienced this, being the feelers and seers and intuitives that we are. But again, we don’t all process exactly the same, so this may feel differently to you.
But the uniting reality is that we ALL have the same all-access lanyard around our neck that gives us 24-hour access to the heart of our Father and the ability to know what he’s thinking, and what his plans and purposes are in any season! For us and for others.
Living in this awareness that not only do we have access to God, he indwells us through the actual incarnation of the Holy Spirit, that we are living in full, unhindered, uninteruppted UNION with Jesus opens our lives up to a free-flow of his spirit, abundance, joy and every good thing! This means, we never have to go looking for God, or “seek him” in some sad, lonely, Where-is-God-in-all-this? sort of way!
If you don’t feel like you can see God, go look in the mirror. If you can’t hear him, listen to your heart. He’s right there! And he is ready to pour out living water to flood your life and produce the most satisfying, gorgeous and delicious fruit.
When we live from this revelation, the quality of our experience and our service changes. We are no longer dry and barren, but lush and fruitful. We hear the Father, we know the mind of Christ, we have the power of the Holy Spirit and yes, we begin to see miracle signs and wonders all around. It’s what I call the Midas Touch, where everything we touch turns to spiritual gold!
And speaking of gold…
Number Two: An all-expenses-paid promise of provision and yes, WEALTH.
You see, those who are called to live outside the box also have over-the-top dreams of significant impact.
(I’m not talking about celebrity status here, unless that is what your heart desires, in which case, YES! Go for it!)
I’m talking about the every-need-met, always-more-than-enough lifestyle that is a reality for many misfits in the body of Christ. In fact, for many, it’s their desire for wealth and big incomes–and even bigger impact–that makes them misfits.
Because the typical Christian does not get excited about wealth. Well, actually they do. Just post something about increase or income or (gasp) prosperity and see just how excited they get! (I love to do this, actually. It’s sort of one of my hobbies….)
Wealth is a resource. and money is a neutral tool that allows us to create and accomplish the things God puts in our hearts.
That’s it. It’s not a sign of arrogance or selfishness or discontent. It’s not a source of shame or fear or competition.
It just is. In the same way words are tools. And prayer is a tool. And material goods, like food or medicine or books, are tools. They allow us to tangibly express the power and goodness of God in the lives of others. Money is no different.
Say it with me, “Money is simply a tool that allows me to tangibly express the power and goodness of God in the lives of others.”
Money allows us to feel supported. It supports us in supporting others. It creates miraculous moments and supernatural answers to prayer when put in the hands of good-hearted people, like you and me. Think about it: shouldn’t the biggest hearted people with the biggest gifts and lives and dreams have the greatest access to wealth and resources and financial support? Of course we should!
You’ve probably heard that “provision is for the vision.” 100%. And BIG vision requires BIG provision! It’s not your need that determines the level of income and impact you have; it’s your vision–and your FAITH in that vision.
When you believe, like really, really believe in your vision and your desire to live and work in a way that is of high-value, high-quality and high-service, ALL of heaven’s resources begin to flow and overflow in your life.
(and by the way, when I make outlandish statements like this one, but don’t offer a scripture to “back it up,” please know that I actually expect the onus to be on you to test out anything I say or write or believe against the word of God. If you are struggling, reach out to me, and I will be happy to share my own insights and learnings on any topic, it’s just not reasonable or realistic to do so in every post. in fact, I hope you will dig in and give yourself permission to investigate and challenge your own beliefs in the process.)
(Which is the perfect segue. Thank you, Holy Spirit…)
Number Three: A supernatural ability to discern truth for yourself.
How important this is to wild and unruly, pioneering women! You see, many people have accepted at face-value what leaders (ie dudes) have taught us for decades. We believed every word!
We thought they knew what they were talking about when it came to:
- submission
- heirarchy (in the church and marriage)
- the patriarchy being God’s idea
- women’s role (ie to serve the dudes)
- gender-based limitations of what women want or can have
- a familial-focused ideology (ie a domestic destiny)
- our ability to express the five-fold or any other spiritual gift in its fullness without limitation
- what Jesus actually thought and taught about women
- the role and place of women in the Bible
I could go on, but I’m sure you get the jist. Being a free spirit and a CREATIVE FORCE requires you to know, for yourself, what you believe, what is true and what you stand for. Don’t be like the woman who, when asked on voting day what she thought about the issues, responded, “You’d have to ask my husband what I think.”
Umm. No words. That in this century we still have women who don’t know how to think–or decide–for themselves.
WOMAN, YOU are an intelligent, decisive, brilliant being. YOU are able to discern even those topics traditionally (and strategically) held behind the enemy’s line of “not for women.” Like politics, finances, investing, leading, theology, and yes, even sex. This upside-down world has tried to restrict our access to the very things that create imact, and fulfillment and JOY.
Maybe no one has told you this before, but you are MORE THAN SMART ENOUGH to tackle ANY subject and make it your beetch.
Really. NOTHING is off limits. The only thing limiting you is your belief in yourself and a faulty world system that tells you these things are out of reach for your delicate and emotional frame.
It’s time to call this bs for what it is, and own your true identity and ability as a capable, competent, contributing member of any conversation, decision, church or community. The world–and the body–are better off when women are up to speed and empowered to participate fully at every level.
Now, does that mean you have to be an expert in all these areas? Of course not. But neither are the men in the world (they just sometimes act like they are, for whatever guy reason drives that behavior).
God expects us to be 10-talent women, which means we know what we believe, what we stand for and how to function as adults in society. As kingdom women, gone are the days when we rely on (or hide behind) the men in our lives to do our thinking–or speaking–for us.
Number Four: An over-the-top relationship of love, honor and acceptance with yourself.
Woah-we are really getting out there, aren’t we? Not only do I want you to think for yourself…I’m asking you to LOVE yourself. Like as much as, or even more, than you love any other person on the planet.
This is such a well-kept secret in the Church. This whole “love your neighbor AS YOURSELF” thing.
Dont believe me? Answer these two simple questions then:
- How many sermons have you heard throughout your Christian career on loving your neighbor?
- How many sermons have you heard on loving yourself?
Ok, are we on the same page now? I don’t even know if I can do this section justice. There is SO much here that needs to be revealed and digested and freed within us. And we who often identify as the “square peg in the round hole,” stranded on the island of misfit toys, just waiting for someone to see our value and put us in the game, have to deal with this at a deep, deep level.
Our lack of worth and feeling of disconnect and not belonging often goes WAY back. Our desire to be accepted and acknowledged and appreciated goes beyond a simple need for a compliment. Often, we are hiding our truest, deepest selves in an effort to fit in or not be judged. We develop shame around the very things that are most beautiful and bountiful and brave within ourselves. And those around us often reinforce these ideas of shame, wrongness and the constant need to apologize.
For who we are. How we think. What we believe or see or dream. Simply because we don’t fit in.
And the body of Christ, God love them, has no idea that have become a status-quo machine of round pegs making the square pegs feel as if their core design is actually the problem. This constant resistance and tension and often subconscious hiding drains our energy and can do some pretty destructive things to our psyche and spirit.
There are many ways to move into true self-love and acceptance, through healing work, coaching, even counseling. It depends on how deep you feel the wounds are, and how deeply buried your true gifts and self are. I encourage you, do the work. It’s not only possible, it’s so worth it.
For my own experience, I worked through a lot of childhood trauma over the years, but it wasn’t until I was over 50 that I realized I needed to deal with church hurt and rejection, not to mention the blows to my self-worth that came from living and working in traditional Christian environments. I can’t blame the leaders in these situations as most of the drama and trauma came from the culture and “normal” traditional-thinkers in the organizations themselves. (I write more about this in my post Unicorns Unite…) So this reshaping of a healthy identity and perspective of my core design–as GOD made me–was integral for me stepping into my true voice and calling. And the same will be true for you.
Wild & unruly women have learned to love and accept themselves as masterfully, intentionally and joyfully designed just the way we are.
Number Five: Wild and unruly women need a strong support system of people who see and believe in them and recognize the value, vision and power they carry.
What a blessing it is to have people in our lives who see us, support us, believe in us, and fully accept us in all our wild, wacky, unconventional ways! Who never try to limit or tame us! There is nothing so sad as a tame unicorn!
Unicorns are created to fly free…and so are you, my friend.
One of the things that most endeared me to my husband when we first met was this sense of safety to be myself. I knew, innately, that I could trust this man with my innermost dreams, wildness and crazy. He has seen me chase impossible and impulsive schemes as long as he’s known me. And he has come to see that there is usually a very important method to my madness. Despite his own risk-adverse, stable personality, he allows me to fly and try and fail. A lot. Without ever making me feel stupid or foolish or like a failure.
Each of us needs that powerful voice in our life.
If you have it, you know what I mean.
And if, you don’t have that yet, I believe God is bringing those people to you, to surround you, to speak truth and acceptance over your gifts, your heart and your imagination! They will see your mind as the brilliant, beautiful thing that it is. They will treasure the gift you are. They will appreciate and celebrate who you are, not merely tolerate you.
Trust me. We all know the difference.
In addition to my husband and kids, God has gifted me with loyal friends who see me for who I am; relationships where I am free to be myself, follow my own path and inspire them to be their best selves, too! They are important voices in my life, and I’m not exaggerating when I say, I would not be anywhere near where I am today without them.
Of course, the first voice you need to recognize in your fan club is that of your doting and proud Papa.
Of all those who might encourage and cheer you on, there is no greater fan or follower or champion on your team than God! Seated right there in the front row of raving, screaming, cheering fans sit God, Jesus, Holy Spirit as many angels as will fit AND an excited cloud of witnesses, those who have gone before, how love you and invested in you, who share in your victory and reward! Actually, they aren’t sitting at all, they are leaning over the balcony, barely keeping their balance, so you will know they are there for EVERY performance!
People either love or hate fireworks. And YOU, my friend, are a FIREWORK. Which means people will get you, run to you, enjoy the noise and the choas and the flames. Or they won’t.
It’s not you, it’s them.
You are created to be that explosive, polarizing, impressive sort of display! That was God’s intention. You are not a knock-off or a perversion or a dud. YOU are a glorious display of his creativity, color and compassion for the world.
Never hide your light or limit your brightness! Keep it all the way up! Let the fire burn, baby! Your wild, unruliness are what will attract those people who need what you carry; those people whose deepest need will be met by your deepest place of service and joy.
And it’s a glorious show.
I believe in you!
Sue
Photo by Vernon Raineil Cenzon on Unsplash