Tuesday, October 6, 2009

It's All About Him


This place wasn't unfamiliar to me, but this time it was different. The stage was simple, there was no elaborate backdrop. The music that was playing was filled with words of praise and the hands of the audience were lifted high in full surrender to the All Mighty God.

I too, had my palms facing toward Heaven with expectancy, and thanksgiving, for the new life that He had given me. A life with no more shame. The more I praised Him, the more I knew I was right where I belonged, in the audience and not on the stage.

Every year as I was growing up, I would perform  my dance routines on this very stage. Twirling and moving around in a beautiful costume, just waiting to hear the applause from my parents and friends that had been invited. And when the final curtain call came, I would take my bow, and listen for the sound of praise that some how exalted me. But it didn't stop there, I wanted more, I want to be my dance teacher.

So there I was, years later behind that same curtain, waiting to make my grand entrance not as a dance student, but as Miss Tammy, the dance teacher. I longed to hear the crowd's approval and for a moment, I would be in MY glory.

But as I stood in the theater two weeks ago with over 500 women from around the state of New York, who had traveled to our yearly Assemblies of God Conference, God spoke these words to me:

You are now exalting Me and no longer exalting yourself. And I believe He said that with a smile.  





Tammy

13 comments:

Beth Herring said...

Beautiful and very heart warming. You are such a blessing.

Paula V said...

Beautiful, Tammy.

Kelly said...

Wow Tammy. God is so good and worthy of our praise!

LisaShaw said...

Oh precious this is beautiful!!

I'm sure the LORD was/is smiling.

Love you.

Anonymous :) said...

Aw.

Karen said...

I am sure He has smiled many a time at you, dear sister!

Edie said...

I love your transparency Tammy. We all want to be in our glory at times. I thought I would never be able to do something well without puffing up with pride. But God can really change our prideful hearts can't He.

Love you Cinderella! :)

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

God certainly takes us through our paces along these lines. He's certainly performed a miracle in my heart as it pertains to my need to be on stage. I no longer crave it; if a stage finds my feet, I walk it for him, alone, but it took me a long season to get there.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

peace~elaine

Julie Gillies said...

Hi Tammy,

What a beautiful story. I love how God took you back to that same place, but whispered new, encouraging, affirming words to you. I'm absolutely certain God is smiling down on you, Tammy. He is so good!

Debra Kaye said...

Makes all the difference in the world, doesn't it! To God be the glory for the great things He has done in your life and will continue to do!

Blessings to you!

LisaShaw said...

Hey dear friend, came over to say I posted about His Love Covers Our Sins. I love you.

Tara said...

Well said! It's amazing the internal transformation that takes place when we surrender to Him! It's humbling and gratifying all at the same time when we realize we want His name known more than our own.

Christian music said...

Yes, indeed, with a smile! God can really change us in a sec.