In this article, we will be discussing the importance of having spiritual mothers and fathers in our lives. Brandi Belt shares her personal experiences and insights on this topic. She emphasizes the need for committed relationships and the role they play in our spiritual growth.
The Messiness of God’s Pouring
Brandi starts by sharing a personal story where she felt like she had missed an opportunity to share a message from God effectively. She was discouraged and unsure of what to do next. However, she later learned that despite her perceived failure, God had used her words to speak to someone’s heart. This experience taught her that when God is pouring out His Spirit, things can get messy. The goal is not to avoid messiness but to point people to Jesus and ensure that no one gets hurt in the process.
Looking Beyond Gifts
Brandi emphasizes the importance of looking at a person’s character and nature, rather than just their spiritual gifts. She quotes James Gaul, who advises against allowing anyone to speak into our lives if they cannot help us rebuild it. Discernment is important, but discernment with wisdom is even better. It’s easy to recognize when people have issues, but it doesn’t help them if we can’t offer guidance and support to help them grow and overcome those issues. Similarly, when we speak into other people’s lives, we should focus on helping them grow rather than just pointing out what’s wrong with them.
The Power of Prayer
Brandi reminds us that not everything we receive about other people is meant to be shared with them. She quotes Psalm 145:4, which states that one generation shall praise God’s words to another and declare His mighty acts. Therefore, we should be mindful of the people we spend our time with and ensure that they are focused on the things of God rather than worldly matters. Our connections with others should be centered around our relationship with God and our desire to grow in His nature and character.
Commitment and Growth
Brandi shares an experience where she and her husband were asked random questions about themselves by a group of people they were trying to help. The woman they later met for coffee criticized their answers, saying that they lacked relatability. However, Brandi explains that their purpose in meeting with people is not to discuss worldly things but to focus on growing in the nature and character of Christ. She emphasizes the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who prioritize God and His teachings.
Being a Spiritual Son/Daughter and Mother/Father
Brandi highlights the need to commit to people and relationships, even if it may be challenging for those who come from dysfunctional families. She explains that constantly floating from place to place without committing to anything or anyone is not biblical and hinders our growth. When God pours out His Spirit, many people are drawn to it, but legitimate leaders will not empower those who have not shown commitment. Brandi encourages us to commit to those whom God has brought into our lives and to genuinely invest in their spiritual growth.
Being Led by the Spirit
Brandi acknowledges that many people desire to be led by the Spirit, but often those in the prophetic have an orphan spirit. They float from place to place, never truly committing to anything or anyone. As a result, they miss out on the growth and opportunities that come with genuine commitment. Brandi emphasizes the importance of absorbing the culture and nature of a community before expecting to be empowered and utilized by its leaders.
Open Doors and Opportunities
Brandi expresses her desire for no one to miss the open doors and opportunities that God has for them because they are constantly floating from place to place. She encourages readers to be willing to commit to healthy and biblical relationships and to allow God and others to teach, mold, shape, and conform them into the image of Christ. While these situations may be challenging and messy, they are essential for growth and transformation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Brandi Belt emphasizes the importance of having spiritual mothers and fathers in our lives. These committed relationships play a crucial role in our spiritual growth and development. Brandi encourages readers to prioritize God and His teachings in their connections with others and to be willing to commit to those whom God has brought into their lives. By doing so, we can experience the transformative power of God and fulfill our calling to be disciples and make disciples.
Let’s take a moment to praise and thank the Lord for the gift of discipleship and the opportunity to grow in our relationship with Him. Let’s also ask God to open our eyes to those around us who may need our support and guidance. May we be teachable, humble, and willing to deal with our own issues as we commit to helping others grow in their relationship with God. Let’s seek out those who can speak truth into our lives and open doors for us, and let’s be willing to do the same for others.